These homemade vegan frosted strawberry pop tarts are a breakfast lovers dream! Other than being highly nostalgic, they're simple to make, have a buttery, flaky shortcrust pastry, are filled with strawberry preserves, and frosted with a pink vanilla icing.
These strawberry pop tarts taste just like, if not better, than Kellogg's Pop-Tarts. Kids and adult will love them the same and they're a great breakfast treat! This kid-friendly recipe is a bit longer (whether you're just reading this or if you're making it!), so let's get started.
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Ingredients
You can make this recipe entirely from scratch, but in an attempt to save SOME time, I focused on perfecting a homemade dough and used store-bought strawberry preserves. Don't worry, if you want to make everything from scratch, I give you a strawberry jam recipe at the end of this post (in the FAQ section)!
- All-Purpose Flour: this is the base of the pastry dough. I haven't tried this recipe with any other type of flour. However, if you typically have success swapping all-purpose flour with another flour in similar doughs, please leave a comment below! This would definitely help both myself and fellow readers.
- Vegan Butter: This helps to bind the dough but also allows it to bake into a flaky, buttery pastry. Make sure the vegan butter is cold and cubed.
- Flax Egg + Non-dairy Milk: You can use any non-dairy milk you prefer. I would recommend sticking to a flax egg or using an egg replacement powder. This acts a binder and helps give a soft finish to the dough.
- Sugar: Just a touch to sweeten the dough!
- Salt: To balance out the sugar, of course.
- Strawberry Filling: I used strawberry raspberry preserves, but you can use your favorite jam or make your own filling!
Substitutions & Variations
- Feel free to switch up the filling! Choose a different berry jam or fill with a cinnamon brown sugar filling.
- I haven't tried this gluten-free flour but if you do try it, please let us know in the comments below how it works out!
- Leave these strawberry pop tarts unfrosted! No frosting, no problem - these are still just as delicious.
- Use homemade strawberry filling! I only didn't in an effort to save time, as the recipe is already a bit time consuming.
Instructions
Vegan Pastry Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter to the bowl.
- Using either your hands, a fork, a food processor, or a pastry cutter, 'cut' the vegan butter into the dough until it becomes small chunks and the mixture holds together when you squeeze it.
- Add in the non-dairy milk and flax egg. Knead the dough for a minute or two until it comes together to form a nice, moist ball.
- Divide the dough in half. If you're making the dough in advance and don't plan to finish the pop tarts now, refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days. If you're making the pop tarts now, place one half in the fridge while we get ready to roll out and assemble the other.
Assemble:
Finally! Let's put these pop tarts together!
- Using a rolling pin, roll out one half of the dough into a 9x12 inch rectangle. Cut the dough into nine 3x4 rectangles using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Using a spatula, move the rectangles to a parchment lined baking sheet. Whisk together non-dairy milk and maple syrup to create a vegan 'egg wash'. Brush each rectangle with the vegan egg wash.
- Spoon a tablespoon of strawberry preserves onto each rectangle.
- Roll out and cut the second half of the dough in the same manner as step 1. One at time, place a second rectangle of dough on top of a partially assembled one.
- Press the pop tart closed by pressing the fork prongs down and around the edges of the dough rectangles. Using the fork, prick the top of the pop tart in multiple spots to let steam escape while cooking (these will be hidden once iced).
Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the pop tarts for 25-30 minutes, or until they're a light, golden brown.
- Remove from the oven. If you're not icing them, allow to cool for 5 minutes before eating. If you are icing them, allow them to cool completely first.
Top with Icing:
This step is totally optional, but it truly takes these pop tarts to the next level and keeps them similar to the real deal!
- In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and 1-2 drops of red food coloring (less food coloring will keep it pink). Check the consistency - it should be thick, but spreadable. You don't want it to be runny, it'll be a mess, seriously. If necessary, add a ½ teaspoon of milk or powdered sugar at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Only once the pop tarts have completely cooled down, spread the icing over each pop tart. Top with some sprinkles and let set for 15 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Make sure the vegan butter the is cold when making the dough. Otherwise your dough will not get that flaky yet puffy texture. If it's warm or hot, the butter will leak out of the dough while baking.
- While you're rolling out and cutting the first half of the dough, make sure the other half is in the fridge. I have found that it doesn't roll out as nicely and gets stuck to the rolling pin (even if dusted with flour) when you let it hang out on the counter, at room temperature.
- Avoid overfilling the pop tart. The filling will bust through and ooze out of the air holes or the sides of the pop tarts.
- Do not forget to prick top of the pop tart a few times to create those air holes. If you don't, the steam will get trapped inside the pop tart and they will explode in your oven.
- Allow the pop tarts to cool completely before icing them. Otherwise, the icing will just slide off the pop tart. Not only will it be messy, but there will be like no icing on them - sad!
FAQ
Yes! Make and divide the dough as instructed, wrap in plastic wrap, then place the dough in refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Definitely! This is also a massive time saver. I would recommend getting a puff pastry dough.
Of course! The only reason I didn't was because I am obsessed with preserves I used and to save time. If you'd like to make your own, try this:
2 ⅓ cups of strawberries, chopped
¾ cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Pinch of salt
In a medium pot, add strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula. Once the mixture starts to bubble, reduce the heat down to a simmer or low-medium. Cook the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly, until the jam is thick. Feel free to strain it through a mesh strainer to get rid of any seeds.
Yes, definitely! The dough is made to hold up with whatever filling you prefer. This would be amazing with a cinnamon and brown sugar filling, or any type of jam! With whatever filling you choose, make sure you don't overstuff it!
You can totally leave the icing off and eat these straight out of the oven. But why would you?!
You can freeze these whether they're baked or unbaked! If baked, allow the pop tarts to cool completely then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them, let them defrost or reheat them in the microwave or toaster oven until heated through.
If the pop tarts are unbaked, after step 6, transfer them to a freezer friendly bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, bake as instructed.
I personally think everything and anything is better when it's fresh, but yes! Keep the iced pop tarts in an airtight container, at room temperature, for 3-5 days.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts
Ingredients
Pastry Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted vegan butter cold and cubed
- 1 flax egg 1 tablespoon of flax seed meal + 2.5 tablespoons of water
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
'Egg wash':
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave
Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups strawberry preserves
Icing:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
- 1-2 drops of red food coloring
- sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Make flax egg by whisking together flax seed meal and water, allow to set for 5 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.1 flax egg
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using a fork, your hands, a pastry cutter, or a food processor, cut in the butter until the mixture holds together when you squeeze it. In a small bowl, whisk together the prepared flax egg and non-dairy milk and add to the dough. Mix together until everything is evenly moistened. Knead the dough on a floured surface only for 1 minute to form a nice, smooth ball of dough.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted vegan butter, 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- Divide the dough in half, placing one half in the fridge until it's needed again in step 4. Using a rolling pin, roll out the other half of dough on a lightly floured surface into a 9x12-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the sheet of dough into nine 3x4-inch rectangles. Using a spatula, transfer the rectangles to the prepared baking sheet from step 1.
- In a small bowl, make a vegan 'egg wash' by whisking together maple syrup and non-dairy milk. Brush the 'egg wash' on each of the rectangles. Spoon 1 tablespoon of Strawberry Raspberry Preserves into the center of each rectangle, leaving a ½-inch of space around the edges.2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 2 cups strawberry preserves
- Remove the other half of dough from the fridge and roll out and cut it the same way you did the first half, as directed in step 3. One at a time, place the second rectangle of dough on top of the nine partially assembled ones. Using a fork, press around the seams of the dough together, making sure they are sealed. Using the fork still, prick the tops of the rectangles in multiple spots, creating air holes, to allow steam to escape.
- Refrigerate the baking sheet with the nine assembled pop tarts for 30 minutes, uncovered.
- While the pop tarts are chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake the pop tarts for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow them to cool completely before icing.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, non-dairy milk, and red food coloring. The icing should have a very thick, but still spreadable, consistency. If necessary, add a ½ teaspoon of milk at a time, until that consistency is reached. Spread a spoonful of icing over each pop tart, top with sprinkles, and allow to sit for at least 15 minutes so the icing can set.
- Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
Gabriela Farias says
Hi! So the crust has completely fallen apart with trying to roll it out. I made the crust on Sunday and only had time to make them this morning. I’m curious if it’s the time delay w the dough in the fridge that was my mistake? Or if this is just a crumbly dough. I followed the ingredients by grams to a tee and all instructions… thank you!
Pinch of Parsley says
Hi Gabriela! I'm sorry to hear this!! The weight measurements are auto generated by the recipe card, so they may not be 100% accurate - perhaps try making this recipe using cup measurements, as this is how I made and recorded it with success.The dough should not be crumbly or falling apart!
Alex says
Hi I was having the same issue!!! I decided to refrigerate all the dough for about half an hour and it was much easier to work with after that.
Lauren says
These were so fun to make with my kids and sooo delicious
G says
Hi I haven’t made vegan dough before but in this recipe you say “butter”. Does that mean vegan butter?? Is it going to work the same way? Clearly a newbie.
Pinch of Parsley says
Hi! Yes, I mean vegan butter. They sell vegan butter sticks that are great! Also, thank you for pointing this out. I'm going to update the page right now 🙂
Paige says
I used half almond flour and half regular flour, it made the dough a lil grainy but nothing bad. The texture was just like a poptart and better. I don’t like very sugary things so I used thin layers of frosting. Overall a good recipe if you don’t feel like going to the store for ingredients. 🙂
Pinch of Parsley says
Hi Paige! Thank you so so much for your comment. So glad to hear almond flour worked in this recipe. Glad you enjoyed these 🙂
Robert says
I ate all 9 in a one day. Needless to say these are incredible!!!
Pinch of Parsley says
LOL I love that so much. Thanks, Robert!
Nicole says
Wow!! Made these with my kids and they loved the process and the strawberry pop tarts so much thanks for the recipe
Pinch of Parsley says
Thank you so much for your comment Nicole! glad you found these pop tarts kid-friendly.
Mariann says
Made these for my husband and son as they both love pop tarts. Came out amazing!!
Pinch of Parsley says
So glad your family enjoyed these! Thanks for your comment Mariann.
Grace Ann Wooten says
I made my pop tarts with one cup of all purpose flour and one cup of almond flour and they turned out perfectly!
Pinch of Parsley says
I'm so glad they turned out well with your variation, Grace! Thanks so much for letting us know 🙂
Karen says
This recipe looks great! I can't wait to make them. Thanks, Lauren
Pinch of Parsley says
Thank you so much Karen!
Jahma says
Can't wait to try these! Look absolutely delicious!
Pinch of Parsley says
I hope you love them!! Let me know if you have any questions when you get around to trying them