Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1204 · Pasteis de Nata

Pasteis de Nata, and where to source it

Pasteis de Nata — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Pasteis de Nata Portuguese 5best2buy.com

Bake as hot as your oven goes, so the tops blister and char in spots before the custard overcooks and turns to sweet scrambled egg.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep40 min
Cook15 min
MakesMakes 12 tarts
CuisinePortuguese
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 12 tarts
Puff pastry
1 sheet
1 sheet
Local / market
Egg yolks
6
6
Sugar
1 cup
1 cup
Local / market
Whole milk
1 1/4 cups
1 1/4 cups
Flour
3 tbsp
3 tbsp
Local / market
Cinnamon stick
1
1
Local / market
Lemon peel
1 strip
1 strip
Local / market
Water
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
GrillOne-potSheet pan
The Method
  1. Boil the sugar and water with cinnamon and lemon peel to a light syrup.8 min
  2. Whisk flour into cold milk, then bring to a simmer, and whisk the hot syrup in.8 min
  3. Off the heat, whisk in the yolks and strain the custard.5 min
  4. Roll the pastry into a coil, cut discs, and press them thin up the muffin tin.12 min
  5. Fill the cups and bake in the hottest oven until the tops blister and char.15 min
The Toolkit

Muffin tin · Whisk · Fine sieve

Straight Answers
Can you make Pasteis de Nata in an air fryer? — Sometimes

You can, but a custard needs gentle, even heat and usually a water bath the basket can’t give, so the top tends to set before the middle. Bake it in ramekins that fit and watch closely, or use the oven for a foolproof set.

Can you freeze Pasteis de Nata? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Pasteis de Nata ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Pasteis de Nata gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Pasteis de Nata vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1204