Go Back
–+ servings
Homemade Portuguese custard tarts on a white kitchen counter with crumbs and golden tops.

Portuguese Custard Tarts (Pastel de Nata)

Golden, flaky, and creamy Portuguese custard tarts made at home ; crisp puff pastry, silky egg custard, and a caramelized top that rivals Lisbon’s best.
Print Pin
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Portuguese
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 tarts
Calories: 260kcal
Cost: $9

Equipment

  • 12-cup Muffin tin
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 4-inch round cutter or wide-mouth glass
  • 1 Fine-mesh strainer
  • Mixing bowls
  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Custard Filling

  • 1 cup Whole milk
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 6 large Egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Substitute with lemon zest for a traditional touch
  • 1 pinch Salt Balances sweetness

For the Pastry

  • 1 package (14 oz) Puff pastry sheets Thawed
  • All-purpose flour For dusting
  • Melted butter For greasing muffin tins

Instructions

  • Heat milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan until warm (not boiling).
  • Whisk egg yolks with cornstarch in a bowl until smooth.
  • Slowly temper the eggs with the warm milk mixture, stirring constantly.
  • Return mixture to pan and cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir in vanilla and salt.
  • Strain custard through fine-mesh strainer and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll out puff pastry, cut into 4-inch circles, and press into greased muffin tin.
  • Fill each with chilled custard and bake at 425°F for 18–22 minutes or until tops are dark golden.
  • Cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack. Optionally dust with cinnamon before serving.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 80g | Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 90mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 0.6mg