If you’re looking for a fun and utterly delicious breakfast treat that will brighten your morning, you have to try this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe. Trust me, these pop tarts bring all the nostalgia without the questionable chemicals from store-bought ones. I absolutely love how flaky the crust turns out with that sweet, gooey strawberry jam tucked inside — plus, the homemade icing and sprinkles are just the perfect finishing touch. Stick around because I’m going to share all my tips and tricks so you can nail these every time!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple Prep: Using refrigerated pie crust makes it quick without sacrificing taste or texture.
Perfect Flaky Crust: You get that golden, buttery flakiness that’s just irresistible.
Customizable Sweetness: You control how much jam and icing to add, so it’s just how you like it.
Fun to Make with Kids: Shaping and decorating the pop tarts is a delightful hands-on activity for all ages.

The image shows three heart-shaped pastries, two of them on a wooden board and one on a black cooling rack. The two on the board have a light golden crust, topped with a smooth layer of light pink icing and sprinkled with red and pink oblong sprinkles evenly spread. The third pastry on the rack has no icing or sprinkles and has a golden brown crust with small fork marks around the edges and fork pierced holes on top. A white bowl filled with red and pink sprinkles is placed on the white marbled surface along with a clear glass bowl of pink icing nearby. The scene has a clean, bright look with all items placed on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts, homemade pop tart recipe, strawberry pastry, easy breakfast treats, flaky homemade pop tarts

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything for this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe revolves around simple pantry staples and, of course, delicious strawberry jam. Each ingredient pairs perfectly to give you that old-school bakery vibe with minimal stress.

Flat lay of two unrolled sheets of smooth, pale beige premade pie crust dough, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red strawberry jam, one whole clean brown egg with uncracked shell, a small white bowl containing fine white confectioners sugar, another small white bowl with creamy milk, a third small white bowl holding clear pale vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with a single drop of bright red liquid food coloring, and a scattering of colorful red and pink sprinkles artfully arranged beside the bowls, all items symmetrically placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts, homemade pop tart recipe, strawberry pastry, easy breakfast treats, flaky homemade pop tarts

Refrigerated Pie Crusts: Using premade pie crust cuts down on prep time while delivering buttery, flaky pastry every single time.
Strawberry Jam: Choose your favorite quality jam—chunky or smooth—because this is the star of the filling.
Egg: Used for egg wash to help seal and give that beautiful golden sheen.
Confectioners Sugar: Essential for creating the silky smooth icing that tops these pop tarts.
Milk: Adds the perfect consistency to the icing without making it runny.
Vanilla Extract: A splash adds warmth and depth to the icing flavor.
Red Food Coloring: Just a drop to get that pretty pinkish hue—I’ve found less is more.
Sprinkles: Because what’s a pop tart without some fun sprinkles on top?

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe depending on the season or what flavors my family is craving. It’s such a versatile base — you can tweak the filling or frosting to put your own spin on it.

Berry Mix Filling: Sometimes I swap the strawberry jam with raspberry or blueberry jam for a different fruity twist that still pairs great with the vanilla icing.
Chocolate Drizzle: Add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top after icing for an indulgent treat — my kids went wild for this version.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pie crust to make these suitable for everyone at the breakfast table without compromising texture.
Fun Shapes: Beyond hearts, cookie cutters like stars or flowers make these pop tarts perfect for holidays and birthday celebrations.

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

Step 1: Unroll and Cut the Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Then, roll out the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface, baking mat, or parchment paper. I always rotate my dough a little as I cut to get as many shapes as possible. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter makes these extra cute — but you can use whatever shape you like. Gather the scraps, knead gently, and roll out again to maximize your dough.

Step 2: Fill and Seal Your Pop Tarts

Place one heart-shaped dough piece on your lined baking sheet, then spoon about a tablespoon of strawberry jam right in the center. Don’t worry about spreading it evenly — it’ll puff up in the oven and even out beautifully. Beat the egg and brush the inside edges of the dough lightly — this acts as glue. Place another heart-shaped dough piece on top, press down gently with your fingers to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork for a lovely rustic look.

Step 3: Prep and Bake

Use a fork to poke a few holes into the top of each pop tart to vent the steam while baking. Brush them with the remaining egg wash so they get that glossy, golden color. Pop them in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. I like to watch closely during the last few minutes so they don’t overbake and dry out.

Step 4: Cool and Ice

Let your freshly baked pop tarts cool on a wire rack—it’s tempting to dive in right away, but patience here means the icing won’t melt all over. While they cool, whisk together your confectioners sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a drop of red food coloring for that soft pink icing. Spoon or spread the icing evenly on top, then sprinkle with festive red and pink sprinkles. The kids will love helping here, and honestly, the sprinkles make it extra special.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

Don’t Overfill: Too much jam can leak out during baking, so stick to about a tablespoon for a clean seal.
Seal Edges Properly: Brushing edges with egg wash before sealing helps prevent the filling from oozing out in the oven.
Use a Sharp Cutter: This ensures clean edges and helps the pop tarts keep their shape better while baking.
Cool Completely Before Icing: Otherwise, the icing might run off or melt too much, losing that beautiful finish.

How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

The image shows six small heart-shaped pastries arranged on a black cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each pastry has two layers of golden-baked dough with fork-pressed edges. The top layer is decorated with light pink icing that covers most of the surface and drips slightly over the edges. On top of the icing, there are scattered red and darker pink sprinkles, adding texture and color contrast. A bit of the white marbled surface and part of a red and white cloth are visible in the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts, homemade pop tart recipe, strawberry pastry, easy breakfast treats, flaky homemade pop tarts

Garnishes

While the icing and sprinkles make these pop tarts adorable as is, I often add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a delicate touch. Sometimes fresh sliced strawberries on the side add a burst of freshness and make the plate pop visually.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these with a simple bowl of Greek yogurt and a handful of granola for a balanced breakfast. A cup of strong coffee or a fruity iced tea rounds out the meal nicely without overpowering the strawberry flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties or Valentine’s Day, I’ve laid these out on platters with themed napkins and pink tablecloths to make everything feel extra festive. Tying a little bow of pink ribbon around a stack of pop tarts makes a sweet gift or party favor. You can also serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn breakfast into dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftover pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat them within a day or two. They stay surprisingly crisp and the filling stays fresh without refrigeration.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to prep ahead. I freeze the uniced pop tarts on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you want some, just thaw them at room temp or warm gently in the oven before adding icing and sprinkles.

Reheating

To reheat, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a 350°F oven refreshes their flaky texture. I avoid the microwave because it can make the crust soggy. Add fresh icing after reheating for the best taste.

FAQs

Can I make this Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe without premade pie crust?

Absolutely! You can use homemade pie dough or puff pastry if you prefer. Just keep in mind that homemade dough may affect the texture slightly depending on your rolling thickness and fat content.
What can I substitute for strawberry jam?

Feel free to swap strawberry jam with any other fruit jam or preserves like raspberry, apricot, or blueberry. You can even use a fresh fruit compote if you’re up for it!
How long do homemade pop tarts keep fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re best eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness and flaky texture.
Can I make these pop tarts vegan?

Yes! Use a vegan pie crust and swap the egg wash with a plant-based milk or aquafaba. For icing, substitute milk with a plant-based alternative and use vegan-friendly sprinkles.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe has become a kitchen staple whenever I want to whip up something special but fuss-free. The best part? It feels like a comforting hug wrapped in pastry, and I love sharing that joy, whether it’s for weekday breakfasts or weekend brunches. I hope you give them a try and make them your own—you’ll be amazed at how homemade can elevate such a simple treat!

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 125 reviews

Author: Villerius
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 10 pop tarts
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful homemade version of classic strawberry pop tarts made from premade pie crust, filled with sweet strawberry jam, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a vibrant vanilla icing and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for a nostalgic breakfast or a fun snack.

Ingredients

Pop Tarts

2 Refrigerated Premade Pie Crusts (at room temperature)
Strawberry Jam (about 10 tablespoons)
1 Egg (for egg wash)

Icing

1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar
2 Tbsp Milk
1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Drop Red Food Coloring
Red and Pink Sprinkles (for topping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to get it ready for baking the pop tarts.
Prepare Pie Crust: On a baker’s mat, parchment paper, or a floured counter, unroll the refrigerated pie crust to a workable surface.
Cut Shapes: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many heart shapes as possible from the pie crust. Rotate the cutter to maximize usage. Knead the remaining dough and roll again to about 1/8 inch thick to cut out remaining hearts.
Add Jam Filling: Place about one tablespoon of strawberry jam in the center of half of the heart-shaped dough pieces. The jam does not need to be perfectly spread, as it will even out during baking.
Apply Egg Wash Edges: Beat the egg lightly in a small bowl, then brush the edges of the hearts with jam to help seal them.
Seal Pop Tarts: Place a plain heart-shaped dough piece on top of each jam-filled piece. Press the edges together with your fingers, then crimp firmly around the entire edge using a fork to seal completely.
Vent Holes and Egg Wash: Use the fork to poke a few holes into the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. Brush the entire top of the pop tart with the beaten egg wash.
Bake: Place the pop tarts on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Cool: Remove from oven and cool the pop tarts on a wire rack completely before icing.
Make Icing: Whisk together confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a drop of red food coloring and mix thoroughly to achieve a pink hue.
Decorate: Using a spoon, spread the icing evenly over the top of each cooled pop tart with the back of the spoon or a small spatula. Sprinkle red and pink sprinkles over the icing for a festive finish.

Notes

Ensure the pie crust is at room temperature before rolling to make cutting easier.
Do not overfill the pop tarts with jam to avoid leaking during baking.
Egg wash not only helps seal but also gives a glossy golden finish to the crust.
Let pop tarts cool completely before icing to prevent the glaze from melting.
You can substitute the strawberry jam for any preferred fruit jam or preserves.
Adding steam holes is essential to prevent puffing up during baking.