If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make breakfast recipe, Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars are the answer. These bars are the ultimate combination of flaky puff pastry layered with creamy beef gravy, crispy hash browns, savory bacon (or beef bacon), gooey cheese, and a touch of egg for richness. They’re perfect for weekend brunches, family gatherings, or even meal prep for busy mornings.
Why You’ll Love Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars
Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars are a game-changer for anyone who loves breakfast foods but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The flaky puff pastry encases a delicious medley of breakfast staples, creating a portable, mess-free meal that’s as indulgent as it is satisfying. Plus, they’re customizable—swap out ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delicious bars:
- 2 puff pastry sheets: Store-bought works perfectly for convenience.
- 8 oz ground beef: A flavorful alternative to pork sausage.
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup milk: Add more as needed for the gravy consistency.
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 cups frozen shredded hash browns
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 4 slices of cheese: Havarti or cheddar add a creamy, melty texture.
- 4–6 oz beef bacon: Cooked and crumbled.
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a small or medium cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Make the Beef Gravy
In a frying pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Do not drain the fat—it helps create the roux. Lower the heat to medium-low and sprinkle the flour over the beef. Stir continuously until the mixture bubbles and forms a roux. Gradually add milk and pepper, stirring until the mixture thickens into gravy. If it’s too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Once done, set the gravy aside.
3. Cook the Bacon
Prepare the beef bacon using your preferred method—air fryer, stovetop, oven, or microwave. Once cooked and crispy, crumble it into small pieces and set aside.
4. Crisp Up the Hash Browns
In a frying pan, cook the frozen shredded hash browns until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Use olive oil sparingly to avoid sogginess.
5. Prepare the Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream. This will be used both in the filling and as an egg wash for sealing and glazing the puff pastry.
6. Assemble the Breakfast Bars
- Place one puff pastry sheet on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Spread the beef gravy in a square shape on the pastry, leaving about an inch of bare pastry around the edges.
- Layer the crispy hash browns on top of the gravy.
- Carefully pour half of the egg mixture over the hash browns, ensuring it doesn’t spill onto the bare edges.
- Brush some of the egg mixture onto the exposed edges of the pastry.
- Add 4 slices of cheese on top of the hash browns, followed by crumbled beef bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Seal and Bake
- Place the second puff pastry sheet over the filling. Press down gently to seal the edges with the bottom sheet.
- Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges completely.
- Brush the top with the remaining egg wash to ensure a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18–23 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve
Let the bars cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing into 9 squares (or smaller pieces if desired). Serve warm for maximum flakiness and flavor.
Tips for Perfect Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars
- Keep the Pastry Cold: Puff pastry works best when cold. If it gets too warm while assembling, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before baking.
- Customize Your Fillings: Add sautéed veggies like peppers or onions for extra flavor. Swap cheddar for mozzarella or pepper jack cheese if you prefer.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These bars can be made ahead and reheated in an oven or air fryer for a quick breakfast on busy mornings.
FAQs
Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! While store-bought puff pastry is convenient, homemade puff pastry will add an extra layer of flavor and flakiness if you have the time.
What’s a good substitute for beef bacon?
If you don’t eat beef bacon, turkey bacon or plant-based bacon are great alternatives. You can also omit it entirely if you prefer a vegetarian option.
How do I reheat leftover bars?
Reheat leftover bars in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore their flakiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes! Once baked and cooled, wrap individual bars in foil or plastic wrap and freeze them. To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars are everything you love about breakfast wrapped up in flaky perfection. Whether you’re serving them fresh out of the oven to your family or prepping them ahead for grab-and-go mornings, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your household. Give this recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!
PrintBreakfast Puff Pastry Bars
These Breakfast Puff Pastry Bars are stuffed with savory layers of sausage gravy, crispy hash browns, bacon, cheese, and egg, all baked between two golden puff pastry sheets. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a crowd-pleasing weekend treat!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Bars:
2 puff pastry sheets
8 oz ground sausage
¼ cup flour
¼ cup milk (plus extra as needed)
1 tsp pepper
1½ cups frozen shredded hash browns
1 egg
2 tbsp heavy cream
4 slices of cheese (Havarti or cheddar)
4–6 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a small/medium cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the Sausage Gravy:
- In a frying pan, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until browned. Do not drain the grease.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the ¼ cup flour, allowing it to bubble and form a roux.
- Gradually add the ¼ cup of milk and pepper, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat. If needed, add additional milk by the tablespoon until the desired consistency is reached (a drier gravy works best for these bars).
- Transfer the sausage gravy to a bowl and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:
- Prepare the bacon using your preferred method (air fryer, stovetop, oven, or microwave). Once cooked, crumble the bacon and set aside.
Cook the Hash Browns:
- In a frying pan, cook the shredded hash browns until golden and crispy on both sides. If using oil, use olive oil sparingly to avoid excess grease or sogginess.
Prepare the Egg Wash:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 2 tbsp heavy cream. Set aside.
Assemble the Bars:
- Place one puff pastry sheet onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Spread the sausage gravy into a small square within the pastry sheet, leaving about 1 inch of bare pastry around the edges.
- Layer the cooked hash browns on top of the sausage gravy.
- Carefully pour about half of the egg mixture over the hash browns, ensuring it doesn’t spill onto the bare pastry edges.
- Brush the bare pastry edges with some of the egg mixture.
Add Cheese and Bacon:
- Place the 4 slices of cheese over the layered breakfast.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top of the cheese slices, followed by the shredded cheddar cheese.
Top with Second Puff Pastry:
- Carefully place the second puff pastry sheet over the layers. Press the edges of the top and bottom pastry sheets together, sealing them with a fork all the way around.
- Brush the top pastry sheet with the remaining egg wash.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
- Let the bars cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting into 9 pieces (or smaller, if desired).
Serve:
- Serve warm for ultimate flakiness and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, use cold puff pastry straight from the refrigerator.
- These bars are highly customizable—try adding veggies like sautéed peppers or onions for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
