Pastry, puff, custard or cream filled, iced or not iced
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A puff pastry shell is a light, flaky, and buttery vessel, typically filled with a rich custard or cream and often topped with a sweet icing or glaze. Its texture is a delightful contrast between the crisp, airy pastry and the smooth, creamy filling, creating a decadent treat. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy food, with nearly 30g of fat per 100g, making it a dense source of calories and fat.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 29% carbs · 65% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love this pastry for its luxurious combination of flaky, buttery layers and smooth, creamy filling, which delivers a classic, comforting indulgence. It is a beloved treat across many cultures, often enjoyed as a dessert, snack, or part of a celebration.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Due to its high fat and calorie content, it can contribute to weight gain and blood-sugar spikes if consumed in excess, and it is a common source of allergens like wheat, dairy, and eggs. To counteract this, practice portion control, pair it with a source of protein or fiber (like a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit) to slow sugar absorption, and enjoy it as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains some protein from the pastry and dairy-based filling
- Offers a satisfying, indulgent treat for special occasions
- The fat content contributes to a rich, satiating mouthfeel
- Versatile base for various sweet and savory fillings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The puff pastry technique, called 'lamination,' involves folding butter into dough repeatedly to create hundreds of thin layers; when baked, the water in the butter turns to steam, pushing the layers apart and creating the signature flaky texture.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 33.6 g |
| Energy | 410 kcal |
| Protein | 5.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 29.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 30.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 44.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 72.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 90.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 165 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.48 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.20 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 34.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 26.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 52.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 20.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.09 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 86.0 ug |
| Retinol | 86.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 41.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.55 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 9.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 7.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.24 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.77 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.20 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 12.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 11.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 39.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Puff pastry, frozen, ready-to-bake, baked — USDA does not publish this profile for Pastry.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.20 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.28 g |
| Leucine | 0.51 g |
| Lysine | 0.14 g |
| Methionine | 0.13 g |
| Cystine | 0.17 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.37 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.20 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 0.26 g |
| Histidine | 0.16 g |
| Alanine | 0.23 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.30 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glycine | 0.26 g |
| Proline | 0.88 g |
| Serine | 0.36 g |
FAQ
Is puff pastry with custard or cream filling healthy?
It is a high-calorie, high-fat treat that should be enjoyed in moderation. It provides quick energy but is low in fiber and essential nutrients, so it's best considered an occasional indulgence rather than a health food.
Can I make a lighter version at home?
Yes, you can use reduced-fat puff pastry, fill it with a lighter custard made with skim milk, or use a fruit-based filling like a berry compote to reduce the overall fat and calorie content.
What are common allergens in this pastry?
Common allergens include wheat (gluten), dairy (milk, butter, cream), and eggs. Some versions may also contain soy or nuts, so always check the ingredients if you have allergies.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.10 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 4.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.83 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.