Easy and Fast Portuguese Egg Tart

Try this Portuguese Egg Tart recipe for an easy and fast prepared dessert! It creates crunchy flaky layers with soft and sweet custard inside. It’s no wonder this treat has become a favorite around the world.

This Portuguese egg tart, also known as Pastel de Nata, became a dessert icon in Macau and is incredibly popular among tourists visiting both Macau and Hong Kong. While often compared to the classic Hong Kong egg tart, Portuguese egg tarts are known for their flaky, layered pastry and caramelized custard top.

Unlike Hokkaido cheese tarts, which have a soft, crumbly shell, Portuguese egg tarts use puff pastry with distinct layers. Both desserts have gained worldwide popularity for their rich fillings and bakery-style appeal.

Portuguese egg tart, also called Pasteis de Nata originated in Portugal. Inspired by the original recipe, an Englishman named Andrew Stow later recreated this famous tart in Macau, giving rise to the version we know and love today.

If you enjoy desserts with a crust, flaky or crumbly, you may also like my no-bake mango cheesecake, classic New York cheesecake, or salted egg yolk pastry. And if you love egg-based treats like these, you can also explore more Asian egg recipes, from savory dishes to sweet egg desserts.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Puff Pastry – The easiest and fastest way to make this dessert is to use a store-bought puff pastry sheet. You don’t have to go through numbers of dough and butter folding and rolling. To make the the crispy layers, all you have to do is roll the sheet flat and roll it up to then make layers form afterwards.

Whipping Cream – To make sure the custard has rich flavor, you need to use dairy liquid whipping cream. However, you may substitute it with the non-dairy one, if you prefer. Please understand that the result won’t be the same.

Milk – Use full cream for better flavor.

Egg Yolk – Egg yolk is a must for egg custard. It helps bind the liquid ingredients and form the soft custard.

Butter – I prefer using unsalted butter. But if you have salted butter, then omit the salt in the recipe.

Muffin Baking Pan or Aluminum Foil Cup – Use muffin baking pan or aluminum foil cup (around 7 cm diameter).

Variations:

This Portuguese egg tart recipe is very versatile, you may experiment with cheese or cream cheese, or add matcha green tea powder or even with pandan extract.

Other than this egg tart, my next favorite goes to Hokkaido Cheese Tart, this is also a must-try!

How to Make Portuguese Egg Tart

STEP 1. Let the puff pastry set in the room temperature for 10-15 minutes until soft enough to roll. Roll flat using a rolling pin. Sprinkle some flour to make it easier to handle (Image 1). Roll it up (Image 2). Cut the rolled sheet into 10 equal pieces (Images 3, 4).

STEP 2. Place the sliced rolled sheet standing up, press it flat using your hand (Image 5). Roll flat until it is wide enough to cover the base of the muffin pan or aluminium tin (Images 6, 7). Poke the base with a fork (Image 8). Set aside. Finish the rest of the dough.

STEP 3. Pour milk, whipping cream, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, condensed milk, cornstarch, and salt into a sauce pan (Image 9). Whisk until all the ingredients blend well. Put on the stove on medium heat. Keep stirring with a spatula. Do not leave it unattended. When you see the batter starts to thicken, you can turn off the stove. Strain to get a smoother texture.

STEP 4. Pour into each mold around 0.5 cm below the tip of the pastry sheet (Image 10). Bake in a preheated oven 225°C for 30-35 minutes until the custard is a bit scorched on top and the pastry sheet turns to golden brown. Take out from the oven and let it cool (Images 11, 12). Enjoy!

How to Serve

Serve this little dessert warm with a glass of Assam Milk Tea, or Butterfly Pea Flower Tea. Lemongrass Pandan or a glass of Ginger Lemon will also compliment this dessert well.

FAQs about Portuguese Egg Tart

Storage and Reheating

If you want to keep the egg tarts for later, you can keep them in a closed container in the fridge. It can stay for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Reheating is simple. You only need to put it in the oven or air-fryer for 5-10 minutes or heat it in the microwave.