Easy Air Fryer Breakfast Pockets With Leftover Pastry.

This easy air fryer breakfast pocket makes excellent use of leftover pastry. Whether you have pie crust leftovers or a more specific pastry like our Jamaican patty pastry, you can create a delicious, easy breakfast pocket. Start your day off with classic egg and bacon pockets with gooey cheese right in your air fryer. No air fryer? No problem—you can easily bake these in your regular or toaster oven, too!

I recently found myself with some leftover pastry from the Jamaican patties recipe post I was working on. I sat there staring at it for a while, debating. Typically, scraps of dough get tossed. Don’t they? If you’ve been following along, you know I hate to waste food. Something my waistline has not benefited from, but my pocketbook has. So I looked at the dough, and it looked at me, and we both agreed it wanted to become something other than trash. I carefully wrapped the pastry in plastic wrap. I had already cut it into rounds, so why not make it into a tasty breakfast pocket the next day?

Generally, there is only my daughter and me during the weekday morning, as everyone else has run off to work already. So before she left for school, I got busy making this tasty homemade breakfast pocket. I know you will love its speediness and flavor as something good to make for a grab-and-go breakfast in the morning. You may want to go ahead and make an entire batch of pastry dedicated to your homemade hot pockets because they also freeze and reheat well. You may have to watch out for leftover pastry dough, though, if you do. Or you will be right back where I started staring at leftover dough.

If you would like to try using our Jamaican patties pastry or the patties themselves, you can find them here. 

Why You Will Love This Delicious Breakfast

​It Uses Leftovers. No one likes wasting food, and these days, it’s even more so. This recipe is a great way to use up your leftover pastry scraps. In fact, because pastry scraps can be frozen, you can collect a bunch of scraps to thaw and use later for a bigger batch of these tasty breakfast pockets. 

​Fast and delicious. There’s something wonderful about how easy it is to air-fry foods. Once you have popped your food into the machine, you can relax while it does the rest of the work. In this case, just fifteen minutes of baking is enough. 

​Freezable. You can make a bigger batch of these breakfast pockets with eggs and freeze them for up to three months, making them a meal preppers’ dream for something different. 

How to Make The Breakfast Pockets For This Easy Recipe

Of course, you will need enough leftover pastry to make at least one breakfast pocket to do this. I had two eight-inch rounds left from a Jamaican patty dough to work with, and they came out tasting amazing because of the added turmeric dough. 

If you are only making one of these tasty breakfast treats, then be sure to cut the recipe card ingredients in half. You can fill them however you want, but this was such a tasty success, and I wanted to share it with you.

Start with the eggs in a small nonstick skillet, add the oil, and heat on medium-high heat. We are going to cook our scrambled eggs only for so long that they are fully set. Crack your eggs into the hot frying pan with oil and move them around with the flipper as they cook. When they are just fully set and not runny, remove them from the heat and put them in a small mixing bowl.

Add one-quarter cup of shredded cheese to the eggs. It can be whatever cheese you have on hand, but sharper-flavored cheeses like old cheddar will have the best flavor. Next, add one cut-up green onion and three slices of crumbled bacon. I generally purchase ready-crisp bacon in bulk at a local grocer whenever they have it. If you don’t have ready-crisp bacon but have another meat on hand, like leftover ham or even chicken, go ahead and add a quarter cup diced up fine. 

That’s all there is to the mixture for the filling. Next, you will want to remove the leftover pastry, and if it’s just scrapped, work it again to make it pliable. Roll on a lightly floured surface, and then, using an 8″ round bowl, cut out two rounds. 

Next, divide the filling in half for the two pastry pockets. Place the filling on one half slightly inset so that there is still an edge piece to stick when you pull over the empty half of the round. Run along the outer edge so that the opposing side sticks well. Using a forks tines, press the two edges together. Now, if you wanted to get another egg to create an egg wash, this would be where you could do so before putting them in the air fryer. Alternatively, brush the exterior of the pastry with a little melted butter. Since I was only making two, I left them as is. 

Since we are making only two of these today, it won’t matter what size your air fryer is. I used my Ninja Foodi and put both pastries into one air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to bake at 400F for a cooking time of 15 minutes. Remember, the eggs and bacon are cooked, so you only need to have a crispy crust. Once cooked, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to sit for a few minutes so they aren’t overly hot inside when eaten. 

Go ahead and enjoy customizing your breakfast pockets using a variety of leftover pastry dough. 

Ingredients:

Leftover pastry: I used Jamaican patties pastry, but any pie pastry will work. Pastries that won’t work are phyllo, puff, or shortcrust.

Eggs: Virtually any eggs work for this recipe. I used chicken eggs. 

Green Onion: This lighter-flavored onion is ideal for chopping up into an egg dish. 

Bacon: Crisped pre-cooked bacon is convenient and offers a flavor close to fresh-cooked bacon, adding a great savory element to the breakfast pockets. 

Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds a cheesy and slightly salty element to the eggs. 

Substitutions And Add-Ins For Homemade Breakfast Pockets:

Leftover Pastry: If you don’t have leftover pastry, you can make a fresh batch to use. If you make many breakfast pockets, you can freeze them to enjoy later, too. 

Eggs: Any egg like Duck, Quail, or even Ostrich will work to make the scramble needed to fill these. If you are vegan, try using a great tofu scramble instead. Remember that quail eggs are much smaller and Ostrich a lot larger, so you must adjust amounts to have the right filling per pastry ratio. 

Green Onion: If you are out of green onion or don’t wish to use any, you can easily substitute chives instead. Or omit altogether for those who have an intolerance to the allium family. 

Bacon: You can crisp up your own if you wish or use another meat, such as shredded chicken or small cubes of ham. Another tasty option would be peameal bacon in thin strips. 

Cheese: The sharper, the better when it comes to the kind of cheese you use. Once heated, a mild cheese loses a lot of its flavor. Feel free to experiment with cheeses to find your favorite for this recipe. 

Add-ins are virtually limitless. Choose from any of the listed options below, and remember to tweak ratios so you only have what you need when filling the Pastry rounds. 

Vegetables

1. Spinach – Adds iron, vitamins, and a fresh element to the pocket.
2. Bell Peppers – Provide a sweet crunch and are rich in vitamins A and C.
3. Mushrooms – Add umami flavor and are a good source of vitamin D.
4. Tomatoes – Bring juiciness and are rich in antioxidants.
5. Avocado – Adds creaminess and healthy fats.
6. Zucchini – Adds moisture and is low in calories.
7. Broccoli – Provides fiber and vitamins C and K.
8. Asparagus – Adds a unique flavor and is rich in folate.
9. Caramelized Onions – Adds a sweet, rich flavor.
10. Sun-dried Tomatoes – Add a tangy unmistakable flavor.
11. Roasted Butternut Squash – Adds sweetness and is rich in vitamin A.

Meats & Proteins

1. Sausage (crumbled or sliced) – Adds a savory, spiced flavor.
2. Ham – Provides a slightly sweet and salty taste.
3. Canadian Bacon – Leaner than regular bacon and has a milder flavor.
4. Chorizo – Adds a spicy kick.
5. Smoked Salmon – Adds a rich, smoky flavor and omega-3 fatty acids.
6. Pulled Pork – Adds a sweet and tangy flavor, especially if seasoned.
7. Turkey Bacon – A leaner bacon option.
8. Chicken (grilled or shredded) – Adds a mild flavor and is high in protein.
9. Tofu (crumbled or sliced) – A good vegetarian protein option.
10. Black Beans – Adds protein and fiber, great for a Southwestern flair.

Cheeses

1. Cheddar – Adds a sharp, robust flavor.
2. Mozzarella – Melts well and adds a mild, creamy flavor.
3. Feta – Adds a tangy, salty taste.
4. Goat Cheese – Adds a creamy and distinct tangy flavor.
5. Swiss – Adds a nutty and somewhat sweet flavor.
6. Parmesan – Adds a sharp, salty taste.
7. Gruyère – Adds a creamy, nutty flavor.
8. Brie – Adds a rich, creamy texture.
9. Blue Cheese – Adds a bold, tangy flavor.

Additional Ingredients

1. Herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley) – Add a fresh, aromatic flavor.
2. Garlic – Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.
3. Jalapeños – Adds a spicy kick.
4. Hot Sauce – Adds heat and tanginess.
5. Sriracha – Adds heat and a touch of sweetness.
6. Mustard (Dijon, whole grain) – Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
7. Pesto – Adds a rich, herby flavor.
8. Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness.
9. Maple Syrup – Adds sweetness and a distinct flavor.
10. Salsa – Adds a fresh, zesty flavor.

Fruits

1. Apple slices – Adds sweetness and crunch, especially with cheddar.
2. Banana slices – Adds sweetness and creaminess, especially with Nutella or peanut butter.
3. Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) – Add a burst of sweetness and tartness.
4. Peaches – Add sweetness and juiciness.

Nuts & Seeds

1. Almonds (sliced or chopped) – Add crunch and nutty flavor.
2. Walnuts – Add a rich, earthy flavor.
3. Pumpkin Seeds – Add crunch and are high in magnesium.
4. Chia Seeds – Add a little crunch and are high in omega-3s.

Dairy & Alternatives

1. Cream Cheese – Adds a rich, creamy texture.
2. Greek Yogurt – Adds creaminess and tanginess.
3. Cottage Cheese – Adds a creamy and slightly salty flavor.

Sauces & Spreads

1. Nut Butter (peanut, almond, cashew) – Adds creaminess and protein.
2. Nutella – Adds a rich, chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
3. Jam or Preserves – Adds sweetness and fruitiness.

Mixing and matching these ingredients can produce endless possibilities for delicious breakfast pastry pockets. Whether you’re looking for something savory, sweet, or a combination, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!

Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For The Breakfast Pastry

Tip #1: Seal Edges Properly: Seal the edges of your pastry pockets well to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.

Tip #2: Don’t Overfill: Be mindful of the amount of filling you use. Overfilling can cause the pastry to burst open while cooking. Aim to fill each pocket with enough ingredients to ensure the pastry can close comfortably without stretching or tearing.

Tip #3: Pre-cook Fillings: Ensure that any ingredients you use, especially vegetables and meats, are pre-cooked and drained of excess moisture. 

Serve these hot breakfast pastry pockets when perfectly golden brown for a delightful treat. These pockets make great breakfasts, offering your day a delicious and satisfying start.

Place uneaten breakfast pastry pockets in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. 

To freeze them, wrap each fully cooked and cooled pocket individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored frozen for up to three months, making them a convenient addition to your breakfast line-up. 

We’d love your feedback on whether you’ve tried these breakfast pastry pockets! Please take a moment to rate the recipe and share your thoughts with us. Your feedback inspires us to keep creating mouthwatering recipes you’ll enjoy!