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Four cheese and onion pasties on a baking sheet with a small bowl of mustard.

Cheese and onion pasties

These cheese and onion pasties are hearty, flavourful and comforting. A classic British dish. It's the perfect combination of cheese, potato and lightly caramelised onion, encased in a crispy puff pastry shell, baked to golden perfection.
5 from 131 votes
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 pasties
Calories: 700kcal

Ingredients

  • 20 grams butter - or one heaped tablespoon
  • 200 grams onion - finely chopped
  • 300 grams potato - cubed into 1cm pieces
  • 190 grams mature cheddar cheese - grated
  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped parsley - or substitute with a teaspoon of dried parsley or other herbs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 sheet puff pastry - circa 375g
  • 1 egg - whisked
  • sesame seeds, poppy seeds or nigella seeds for sprinkling - optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C/374°F/gas mark 5. Line a baking sheet with baking paper
  • Add the diced potatoes to a saucepan and cover with cold tap water. Add salt to taste, as a guide, around ½ to 1 teaspoon.
    300 grams potato
  • Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
    A rolling boil has large bubbles continuously rising rapidly to the surface. It is more vigorous than a gentle simmer.
  • Once boiling, cook the potatoes for only 2 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes thoroughly in a colander and transfer them to a large bowl to cool down.
  • In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter.
    20 grams butter
  • Add the chopped onions and stir them through the melted butter.
    200 grams onion
  • Place a lid on the pan and gently fry the onions over low heat for 6 minutes, stirring every minute. If using a gas stove with settings 0-9, fry around gas mark 3.
    The onions should be soft and translucent with some caramelised bits, not too browned.
  • Transfer the onions into the bowl with the potatoes to cool.
  • Roll the puff pastry out on the work surface.
    A handy tip - you can keep the pastry on top of the paper it was rolled in to avoid flouring the counter. This saves cleaning up later.
    1 sheet puff pastry
  • When unrolling the pastry, you may notice that the innermost part of the curl might have some cracks. Simply use your clean fingers to gently smooth over the cracks and seal any breaks in the pastry.
  • Roll the pastry sheet slightly larger, to about 40cm x 25cm.
    Ensure the pastry is not sticking to the paper before you carry on. If it is, flip the sheet over and pull the paper away. Replace the paper and flip it back over.
  • To prepare the pastry, slice the sheet lengthwise in half, then cut each half into four equal rectangles. This will give you equal portions for your pasties.
  • Add the cheese, cream cheese and parsley to the cooled potato-onion mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
    190 grams mature cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped parsley, salt and pepper to taste
  • Gently stir everything together until fully incorporated with an even cream cheese distribution.
  • Scoop equal amounts of the pasty mixture onto four of the puff pastry rectangles.
  • With a pastry brush, generously brush the beaten egg around each mound of the filling, making sure to cover the edges where the pastry will be sealed.
    This will help create a secure seam when you fold and seal the pasties.
    1 egg
  • Take the remaining pastry rectangles and place them on top of the filled ones. Press the edges of the top and bottom sheets together firmly to seal the pasties.
  • To seal the edges of the pastry, use a fork to crimp them shut. Be cautious not to press the fork's tines into the filled part of the pasty while doing this.
  • Brush the top of each pasty with the remaining beaten egg.
  • Optional - Sprinkle over sesame, poppy or nigella seeds and place the cheese and onion pasties on the lined baking sheet.
    sesame seeds, poppy seeds or nigella seeds for sprinkling
  • Using the tip of a knife, gently stab two small steam holes in the top of each pasty.
    These holes will allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the pasties from becoming too soggy and ensuring a nice texture.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and a light golden brown.

**Nutritional data disclaimer**

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 700kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 553mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 897IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 382mg | Iron: 3mg