Make these Trader Joe's pastry pups in the air fryer for a quick and delicious appetizer. The tender and savory beef franks are wrapped in flaky and buttery puff pastry dough and topped with grated parmesan cheese and baked until golden. Ready in 11 minutes, serve for game day or a quick appetizer or snack anytime during the week. They can be enjoyed as is or dipped in your favorite sauces.

What are Trader Joe's pastry pups

Pastry pups are mini pork or beef hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry or croissant dough. In the U.K. they are usually sausages or hot dogs wrapped in bacon. These delicious appetizers are a crowd-pleaser and make a great snack during the week or to bring for parties or get-togethers and kids love them.

Quick appetizer idea

This easy finger food is a great last-minute snack that you can easily make from scratch but they are even easier to make from frozen. The package instructions say they can be made in the oven, but if you have an air fryer, they are even more incredible.

Cooking in a fraction of the time, these parmesan pastry pups are the perfect air fryer appetizer. The all-butter puff pastry dough gets crispy and crunchy on the outside and stays soft on the inside. The mini hot dogs are juicy and full of flavor and the grated parmesan cheese gets crispy and makes your home smell amazing. Dipped in ketchup or mustard, everyone will want more!

Which brand should I use

Trader Joe's brand of franks in a blanket is a favorite. They are all beef and free of nitrates. If you don't live near a Trader Joe's store or prefer a different brand, you are welcome to use those instead.

Just keep in mind that the cooking time might be a little different depending on the size of your franks and the type of air fryer used. Since each air fryer cooks frozen foods at different rates, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your food when trying out a new air fryer recipe.

raw pastry pups in the air fryer before cooking

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How to make them in the oven

If you don't have an air fryer, or don't want to use it, you can definitely make these pastry pups in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pastry franks one inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake for 18 - 22 minutes or until they are golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes for serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my pastry pups not crispy?

Puff pastry dough bakes nicely in the air fryer, if it doesn't there might not have been enough room left between the pastry pups. The puff pastry dough will expand during the cooking process, so make sure there is enough room around them to get crispy. Cook them in batches if needed or try preheating the air fryer before cooking.

How much are they?

The price for the Trader Joe's pastry pups might vary from store to store but they are roughly $6.50 for a box containing 14 pups.

How will I know when they are done?

These parmesan pastry pups are done when the crust is golden brown and the hot dogs are sizzling. The franks are already cooked so you are waiting until the puffed pastry is browned.

How many calories are in them?

There are 270 calories in a serving containing 4 pups.

Do I need to thaw them before cooking?

There's no need to thaw the pups before cooking. For best results, cook them straight from the freezer.

Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (we didn't) keep them in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 400 degrees. Sometimes I place these Trader Joe's pastry pups in to my kids lunch box. I wrap them in a piece of foil, that way they stay warm longer and don't dry out.