Easy Pasteis de Nata: the Cream Desserts With a Unique Taste

A recipe for Portuguese cream tarts made with store-bought puff pastry and a cinnamon-lemon infused custard, cooked in an air fryer until the tops are caramelized.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry (thawed, kept cold)
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 3 tbsp cornstarch or all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) water
• 1 cinnamon stick & 2 strips fresh lemon peel (pith removed)
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon & powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel. Bring to a simmer over medium heat without stirring until it reaches a thin syrup consistency (about 3 minutes). Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch into ¼ cup of cold milk until smooth. Heat the remaining ¾ cup of milk in a saucepan until scalding (just below a boil). Whisk the hot milk into the cornstarch mixture, then slowly pour in the warm sugar syrup in a steady stream while whisking continuously.
3. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks with vanilla extract. Slowly temper the yolks by pouring a thin stream of the warm milk-syrup mixture into them while whisking vigorously to avoid scrambling the eggs. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup for easy pouring.
4. Roll the chilled puff pastry sheet tightly into a log along the short side. Slice the log into 12 equal rounds. Press each round flat into a silicone muffin cup, pushing the pastry from the center outward and up the sides to create a thin pastry shell with a slightly thicker rim at the top.
5. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Pour the cooled custard into each pastry cup, filling to about 80% full. Place 4 to 6 filled cups into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 14 minutes until the pastry is deep golden brown and the custard top has dark, caramelized blisters.
6. Carefully remove the cups from the air fryer basket using tongs. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes before unmolding. Dust lightly with ground cinnamon and powdered sugar right before serving warm.

Notes

Prep Time: 20 minutes. Air Fryer Time: 12–14 minutes per batch. Yield: 12 tarts. Temperature: 400°F (200°C). Equipment: Air fryer, 12 silicone muffin cups or ramekins, saucepan, whisk.