These Homemade Mini Pop Tarts (or Mini Lolli-Pop Tarts!) are a fun homemade twist on an old classic, and are sweet treats for Valentine's Day!
I ate horribly as a kid.
A child of the late 1970's, I was brought up in a household that was holding onto Filipino heritage but also excitedly soaking up American food trends of the time. It was a the tail end of the TV dinner phase and the early inklings of the "Low Fat" craze.
Processed food was king.
Pop Tarts were like these decadent, indulgent beacons of sugary, brightly colored goodness. I ate a lot of them.
Then I grew older and my brain and stomach grew wiser, and I can't remember the last time I purchased Pop Tarts.
But you know, every once in a while, it's okay to give in. Especially if you can make them at home and eliminate some of the icky chemicals and preservatives that come with the packaged variety!
Homemade Mini Pop Tarts: Step-By-Step
Homemade Mini Pop Tarts are simple enough to make, but they do take time. You could make larger pop tarts to save time, since a lot of the work comes in the cutting, filling, and perforating of the individual treats.
The full directions are below in the recipe card, and here's a look at the process of making homemade mini pop tarts. I'll include some tips at the bottom of the photo series.
Aren't these so adorable? I love how they turned out so much!
And, there's really no "perfect" looking pop tart - you just slowly spread or pour the royal icing onto each baked pop tart and it magically spreads out a bit over the edges and just looks cool. Without even trying.
Top with colored sprinkles or you could even just leave them with the sugar coating.
Mini Pop Tarts: Flavor ideas
I used a strawberry jelly but here are some other flavor combos you could try for your mini pop tarts:
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Marionberry/Blackberry
- Hazelnut Mocha: use Nutella filling with coffee-flavored royal icing
- Apple Cinnamon: use apple filling with a cinnamon sugar topping
Mini Pop Tarts: Full of Flavor and Fun
These Mini Pop Tarts – or, mini (lolli)-pop tarts – are SO much fun to serve at parties. I've served these at New Year's Eve/Day parties, at kid sleepovers and birthday parties, and these would be perfect sweet treats for Valentine's Day coming up!
Without the lollipop sticks, these mini pop tarts would be wonderful indulgent snacks to serve at a weekend brunch or tea.
Mini Pop Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 package pre-made pie crust or your own homemade pie crust, if you prefer
- Fruit jelly raspberry, strawberry, or marionberry/blackberry work well!
- 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water lightly beaten together
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water + more as needed
- food coloring
- colored baking sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a sheet of parchment paper over two baking pans.
- Thaw pie crust according to package directions.
- Roll out and cut into even strips, then cut into evenly-sized rectangles. *note: to get the scalloped edges, I used a pastry roller cutter with a scalloped edge
- Place half of the rectangles onto baking sheets covered with parchment paper.
- Place one lollipop stick on top of each rectangle, toward the bottom center.
- Top each rectangle with a small teaspoonful of jelly. Just put enough jelly to cover the middle, leaving room around the sides; you want a little bit to ooze out of the sides, but you don't want a big globby mess when they are done baking!
- Place another rectangle on top of each jellied rectangle, then gently press all sides down to seal. Use the tines of a fork to help secure the pieces together and also create a pattern around the edges.
- Brush each rectangle lightly with egg wash.
- Using the tips of the fork tines, gently poke a few holes at the top of each pop tart.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, just until the tops are lightly brown. Allow to cool at room temperature.
Make the icing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and water until blended into a smooth icing consistency. If needed, slowly add more water, ½ teaspoon at a time, until you get your desired consistency.
- Slowly add your choice of food coloring. I used a light purple Wilton icing coloring and it only took enough coloring to cover the bottom of a toothpick to achieve the color you see here, so start with just one drop and then add more as needed to get your desired icing color.
- Spread icing over each mini pop tart.
- Sprinkle immediately with colored baking sprinkles.
- Let set for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
More Homemade Classic Kids' Foods
RECIPE: Homemade Cheez-It Crackers
Homemade 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups
Have you ever made a homemade version of your fave childhood treats?
Rose Sahetapy says
This will be the best treat for kids' party! I have never made pop tarts before, but you make it look easy. The color of the topping is so sweet, and the sprinkles make this puppet look adorable!
Debra Schroeder says
OMG, I'm so going to make these mini pop tart lollipops. It's been raining so I'm baking up a storm this weekend. Can't wait to try this recipe.
Rachel @ Kitchen Cents says
These are FANTASTIC! I'm going to make these with my girls this coming week. Such a great idea. They love suckers and lollipops and they will LOVE these! Thanks for sharing!!!
Karen says
These are the BEST party treat items and they are incredibly darling. I love Pop-Tarts and these are totally so much better because they are homemade. I want one now!
Heather says
What a super cute idea! I have never thought of doing mini pop tarts before. I love that it isn't something everyone else is doing! Those would be perfect for a baby shower or so many other parties!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
OMG! I love these and am certainly going to try out this recipe. I love pop tarts and fun foods and there are adorable!
Nicole Feliciano says
those are the cutest little treats. I know my kids would flip our for these. And I'm so glad you added the sprinkles!
Debra says
My kids love anything on a stick - these look so fun and delicious! And I love the homemade PB cups
Alix Maza says
These look so delicious! I love that their mini pop tarts haha.
Alix | A Pint-Sized Life
Bill S says
These are such great Valentine's Day treats!! I have never made poptarts before like this, I bet my kids would love them.
Silvia says
Oh my gosh these are seriously so cute and easy to make! You can even make these in a bouquet for a gift!
Di says
What a great, and healthier, alternative to a pop tart. ANd making it mini makes it even cuter! Easier to ration out too!
Pech says
Sooo cute! Mini versions of everything seem to be wins in that they look adorable and you get just enough but not too much of the item!
Belle says
Oh wow! That looks good! I am sure my kids will love this. I have to try this at home!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Melissa Chee says
Ummmm.... these are tooo cute! And they look delish. What a great idea for a party. :)
Janel says
These are so adorable. They also make for a perfect treat for any party or snack. I am going to have to try to see if I can make them gluten free.