The Ultimate Guide to Store-Bought Puff Pastry Brands

Let’s be honest—making puff pastry from scratch is a labor of love. Between the rolling, folding, chilling, and repeating, it can take an entire day. That’s why store-bought puff pastry is a true kitchen hero. But with so many brands on the freezer aisle, how do you choose the best one? This ultimate guide breaks down the top store-bought puff pastry brands, so you know exactly which one to grab for your next baking project.

Whether you’re making savory hand pies, elegant tarts, or sweet apple roses, the quality of your puff pastry makes all the difference. The best brands use real butter, bake up golden and flaky, and have a rich, delicious flavor. We’ve gathered insights from professional pastry chefs and taste tests to bring you this complete ranking—from the absolute best to the ones you might want to skip.

The Best Store-Bought Puff Pastry Brands, Ranked

1. Dufour Pastry Kitchens — The Overall Winner

If you’re looking for the very best, Dufour is the unanimous favorite among pastry chefs and home bakers alike . Made with just five simple ingredients—butter, unbleached flour, water, salt, and lemon juice—this pastry bakes up into golden, flaky layers with a rich, buttery flavor that tastes almost homemade . It’s the only widely available brand made with 100% real butter, which is the secret to its superior taste and texture .

Yes, it’s more expensive—around $10 for a 14-ounce sheet—but for any recipe where the pastry itself is the star, it’s absolutely worth the splurge . Plus, Dufour comes folded in a flat box rather than rolled, which keeps the delicate layers intact .

2. Trader Joe’s Puff Pastry — The Best Value Butter Option

Trader Joe’s puff pastry is a fantastic budget-friendly alternative that still uses real butter . At about $5.49 for two 9-ounce sheets, it’s a steal compared to Dufour . It comes rolled up rather than folded, so there are no creases to work around—just unroll and go .

One catch: it’s a seasonal item, typically available only in fall and winter . If you spot it, grab a few boxes to stash in your freezer for year-round baking!

3. Whole Foods 365 — Solid All-Butter Choice

Whole Foods’ store brand, 365, is another reliable all-butter option . In taste tests, it puffed up beautifully with light, airy layers and a decent buttery flavor . It’s not quite as stunning as Dufour, but at nearly half the price, it’s a great everyday option if you have a Whole Foods nearby .

4. Pepperidge Farm — The Most Accessible

You’ve probably seen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry in just about every grocery store—and for good reason. It’s widely available, affordable, and gets the job done . In taste tests, it puffed up the most out of all brands tested, with great flaky layers . The downside? It’s made with vegetable oil rather than butter, so the flavor is noticeably more neutral and bland .

If you’re making a recipe with a strongly flavored filling where the pastry plays a supporting role, Pepperidge Farm works just fine. But if you want the pastry to shine on its own, look for a butter-based option .

5. Other Supermarket Brands — What to Know

Many supermarket own-brand puff pastries—like Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons—are made with palm oil or vegetable fats rather than butter . While some puff up nicely (Asda and Lidl both reached 25mm in tests), they often have a greasy mouthfeel or neutral flavor that lacks the richness of butter .

For Australian shoppers, a CHOICE taste test found that Woolworths home brand puff pastry was the clear winner among the major supermarkets, with the best rise and texture .

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options

If you have dietary restrictions, there are a few options available. Sweet Loren’s offers a gluten-free, dairy-free puff pastry, but taste testers found it had a distinctly off flavor and a doughy texture—it’s best used only if you absolutely need both gluten-free and dairy-free . Schär is a better gluten-free choice, with a more neutral flavor, though it tends to crack when unrolled and doesn’t puff up as well .

For dairy-free but not gluten-free, Pepperidge Farm is made with vegetable oils and is completely dairy-free .

Tips for Working with Store-Bought Puff Pastry

• Thaw in the fridge, not on the counter: Thawing on the counter can cause the butter layers to melt, resulting in less puff .
• Keep it cold: If your pastry warms up while you’re working, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking .
• Use a sharp cutter: A sharp knife or cutter prevents the layers from sealing together, which helps the pastry rise .
• Don’t over-handle: The less you roll and touch the pastry, the more delicate the layers will be.

Delicious Ways to Use Puff Pastry

• Savory hand pies — fill with beef, chicken, or vegetables
• Baked brie — wrap a wheel of brie with jam for an elegant appetizer
• Fruit tarts — top with seasonal fruit and a sprinkle of sugar
• Puff pastry braids — fill with cream cheese and jam for a gorgeous centerpiece
• Mini croissants — cut into triangles, roll up, and bake

Storage Instructions

Keep frozen puff pastry in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. Once thawed, use within 24 hours for best results. Baked puff pastry pastries are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven to restore crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all-butter puff pastry really worth the extra cost?

Yes! Butter is what gives puff pastry its rich flavor and helps it rise into those beautiful, flaky layers. Pastries made with vegetable oils or shortening simply don’t have the same depth of flavor . If the pastry is a key part of your dish (like in tarts, turnovers, or baked brie), spring for the all-butter option like Dufour or Trader Joe’s . If you’re making something with a strongly flavored filling, a non-butter brand like Pepperidge Farm can still work well .

What’s the difference between puff pastry and phyllo dough?

Puff pastry and phyllo (or filo) are both flaky pastries, but they’re made differently. Puff pastry has many layers of butter folded into the dough—it puffs up when baked because the butter creates steam . Phyllo is paper-thin sheets brushed with butter or oil between layers—it bakes up extra crispy but doesn’t puff. Puff pastry is sturdier and easier for hand pies and tarts, while phyllo is better for delicate desserts like baklava.

Can I use puff pastry for pie crust?

Absolutely! Puff pastry makes a wonderful top crust for pot pies or fruit pies . For the bottom crust, it’s best to blind bake it first to prevent sogginess . Keep in mind that puff pastry will give you a much lighter, flakier texture than traditional pie dough.

Why did my puff pastry not puff up?

There are a few common reasons. The pastry may have been too warm when it went into the oven—the butter layers need to be cold so they create steam instead of melting out . Your oven might not have been hot enough, or the pastry may have been over-handled. Always bake puff pastry in a fully preheated oven (typically 400°F/200°C) with cold dough.

Where can I find Dufour puff pastry?

Dufour is available at many Whole Foods stores and other health-conscious grocers . It can also be found at some higher-end supermarkets. If you can’t find it locally, you can sometimes order it online from specialty food retailers.

There you have it—everything you need to know about choosing the best store-bought puff pastry. Whether you splurge on Dufour, grab Trader Joe’s while it’s in season, or keep a box of Pepperidge Farm in the freezer for emergencies, you now have the knowledge to pick the perfect pastry for your next baking adventure. Happy baking!