Malaysian Curry Puff
There is so much nostalgia involved when talking about Malaysian Curry Puff. This classic Malaysian pastry is well known throughout the country and getting more popular across the world.
When I bite into a curry puff, it takes me right back to my younger days growing up in Penang.
Traditionally, curry puff is dough filled with chunks of potatoes (and sometimes small pieces of chicken and chopped up boiled egg) cooked in the spicy and flavorful Malaysian or Nyonya curry, then deep fried. It truly is one of my most missed foods from Malaysia.
Upon my request, my parents bring me curry puffs all the way from Penang whenever they visit. Those curry puffs travelled long and hard to make their way into my stomach.
Other recipes that reminds me of my time in Malaysia: Mee Goreng Mamak, Tom Yum Fried Noodles, Chinese Braised Pork Belly, Asian Style Green Beans. I want to make each of them again so badly.
An EASY shortcut curry puff recipe
Another version of curry puff is potatoes and chicken curry filled in a puff pastry dough and baked in the oven. This is the type of Malaysian Curry Puff I’ve been making for years after living in the United States, and what we are making here today.
Baking is always easier and healthier than deep frying, and I’ve come up with all kinds of short cuts to this dish, while still maintaining a very traditional and delicious flavor and taste.
Because, let me tell you, when you don’t have time and still crave these foods, you find ways to make them as easy as you can make them!
What is Malaysian Curry Puffs
If you are familiar with Indian samosas, Malaysian Curry Puff is a very similar concept. Curry potatoes wrapped in dough. The key difference is that the curry flavor is more Malaysian than it is Indian. I am, of course, seriously biased and love my Malaysian Curry Puffs the best. Sorry, samosa fans.
But if you like samosas, you should seriously look into this. I really think you will like this version of curry puff as well.
Why I started making these
When I moved to the United States, as you can imagine, there isn’t a ton of Malaysian Curry Puffs being sold around town (unless you live in New York, LA, and a few other larger cities). But the craving for these bad boys is REAL.
As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. I quickly discovered most grocery stores carry Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets, and found that it is the perfect (not to mention easy to manage) dough to create a pretty legit version of a Malaysian Curry Puff. To say I was excited is a understatement.
Today, John and I are pretty obsessed with our homemade Curry Puffs. There is something about crusty, flaky puff pastry and curry.
A match made in foodie heaven, I must say.
This recipe is actually super simple because not only are we using ready-made puff pastry (no kneading of dough), but a curry paste as well.
If you made homemade Malaysian curry paste, I salute you. That is incredible and you should use that. If you do not, you can still be a Malaysian Curry Puff creator/rock star as there are a handful of super delicious curry pastes out there that will help you create the most awesome curry puffs.
Ingredients
Here are some key ingredients for this curry puff recipe:
- Curry paste
- Puff pastry sheets
- Potatoes
- Shallots
- Coconut milk
Curry Paste
Keep in mind that when using ready-made curry paste, there will be variables on how each curry paste taste. Some are spicer, some are more “liquidy”, some are heavier on some spices (turmeric, lemongrass, garlic etc) than others.
I have used many different curry pastes to make my Malaysian Curry Puff, but here are a few that I would recommend: Tean’s Gourmet Paste for Chicken Curry, A1 Instant Curry Sauce and Mak Nyonya Chicken Curry Paste.
They are available at (some, not all) Asian grocery stores. Unfortunately, Malaysian spices are not as mainstream as Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai spices and sauces.
If you cannot find them at your Asian grocery stores, they are definitely available online (see affiliate links above).
Depending on what curry paste you use and your tolerance to spice levels, start with a tablespoon of curry paste, and add more if you want it spicier.
See what I mean by variables?
Most, if not all Malaysian curry paste will be spicy. Unfortunately there is no mild version of this. Heat is involved as the paste is made with lots of chillies. Delicious, lip-smacking, can’t-get-enough-of-it heat.
How to make Curry Puff filling
To make the curry puff fillings, cook the potatoes, plus chicken if you’d like, along with curry paste, coconut milk, salt, sugar and water in a pot.
We want to boil until potatoes soften and the liquid is cooked down, creating a “paste-ty” filling.
Let the fillings sit for 30 minutes or so to cool. Super hot fillings will be difficult to manage when wrapping it with puff pastry sheets.
How to make/wrap curry puffs
I usually bring two puff pastry sheets to the refrigerator from the freezer the night before I need to use them. While waiting for the curry puff fillings to cool, whisk up an egg and cut the large puff pastry sheets into four squares.
Fill the pastry with fillings and use the egg mixture to glue the puff pastry. When all puff pastries are filled and glued, use the remainder egg mixture to brush the top of each puff pastry to create a nice egg wash.
Place puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If you are not using parchment paper, you will need to grease the bottom of the puff pastry because it will most likely stick to the surface.
Bake Malaysian Curry Puff at 400 degrees F for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Before you know it, you will be staring at some gorgeous, delicious good homemade curry puffs.
You guys. Trust me when I say – THESE THINGS ARE SO GOOD. And not to mention, ADDICTIVE.
I can still taste the potatoes and chicken soaked in the spicy, aromatic Malaysian curry sauce, wrapped with a layer of flaky, warm, buttery puff pastry.
Seriously YUM.
How to serve curry puffs
I classified Malaysian curry puffs as “appetizer” on the recipe tab (I mean, isn’t this just the perfect unique finger food at parties?), but the truth is, we have it as a snack, for lunch, or even for breakfast. Anytime is a good time for Malaysian Curry Puff in our household.
I’m telling you friends, this totally TAKES ME BACK.
I’ve treasured this short cut, easy curry puff recipe for many, many years – I just love finding ways to recreate a simpler version of foods from the place I grew up.
Enjoy these lovely Malaysian Curry Puffs from my hometown.
Much LOVE to curry puffs. Favorite food EVER.
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Other Asian Snacks/Foods
Malaysian Curry Puff
Ingredients
- 2 puff pastry sheets
- 3-4 red potatoes 9-10oz
- 1-2 tbsp chopped shallots
- 1/2 cup small pieces of diced chicken optional
- 1-2 tbsp Malaysian curry paste
- 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tbsp coconut milk
- 1/2 tsp sugar or to taste
- salt to taste
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a pot, add vegetable oil and chopped shallots, cook for 30 seconds, then add potato, chicken and 1 tbsp of curry paste. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add water and coconut milk to pot. Once mixture comes to a boil and chicken is cooked, taste mixture and add more curry paste if needed. Also add salt and sugar to taste.
- Cook until potatoes are tender and cook down the liquid until it looks more like a paste. Turn off heat and let it cool for 30 minutes.
- While waiting for filling to cool, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F and beat up one egg.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 squares
- Once filling is cool, add filling to each puff pastry sheet, creating a triangle on one side of the square pastry sheet (see picture). Then brush egg mixture to all sides of the square.
- Fold each square into a triangle and using fingers, gentle press sides to seal. Then using a fork, press to further seal pastry.
- Bring curry puff to baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and brush egg mixture onto the top surface of each pastry. If not using parchment paper, grease the bottom of each puff pastry to prevent it from sticking to pan.
- Bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until top is golden brown.
- Remove and cool for 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Just made the Malaysian curry puffs for dinner tonight and
they are delicious!!! Whole family loves it ?
That’s GREAT! Thank you so much for trying the recipe and i am so glad you all love it! It is so easy and yummy!! One of my favorite things. 🙂
These would go great with soup. Can’t wait to try them, Thank you!
That sounds yummy! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! 🙂 Thanks for commenting 🙂
Can I fry these instead of baking them?
Yes! Make sure to seal them well before frying! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this quick and easy way to do the curry puffs.
Compliment from a Penang born lady.
I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
So. Good. We love our curry puffs in this household, and I’m so glad we found this easy and delicious recipe!
Thank you! I’m so glad as well! 🙂
Yum!!! This recipe looks amazing. So crispy and flakey and delicious!
Thank you so much!
Hi Joyous Apron, Is there a way to store these curry puffs? They usually get a bit soggy. 🙁
Try making sure they are completely cool before putting them away. The best way to reheat so they are not soggy is in a toaster oven or oven. Avoidusing the microwave to reheat. Hope that helps!