We’re powering up your typical strawberry breakfast pastry with a boost of protein from Strawberry Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese in our Strawberry Kefir Breakfast Hand Pies.
Just like the iconic morning hand pie pastries you grew up with, ours are easy to eat on the go and are filled with a sweet fruit filling. The difference in our recipe and the packaged options? Our breakfasts pastries are filled with complete protein and are free of artificial colors and flavors since they’re made with fresh fruit.
While making your own breakfast pastries may seem intimidating and time-consuming, this recipe is simple and easy to bake up in a flash. The process is simple: a pastry sheet is filled with a layer of our cultured, creamy farmer cheese and Lifeway Kefir, and are then layered with a fruit filling from real strawberries.
As they puff up in the oven, they become tender hand pies that help keep you fuller longer than typical sugar-filled pastries while still tasting indulgent and delicious. Since our farmer cheese and kefir are packed with probiotics, they also digest easily compared to ultra-processed ingredients found in shelf stable pastries.
After these breakfast hand pies come out of the oven, they get a light honey kefir drizzle on top with a sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberry fruit pieces. They also keep well in the fridge and can even be enjoyed as dessert with fresh fruit and whipped Farmer Cheese dip on the side.
No matter how you enjoy them, these pastries are proof that it’s easier to bite into a better breakfast with a little help from Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese in the kitchen.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 pastriesIngredients
- 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry (use gluten-free if needed)
For the Pastry Filling:
- 1/2 cup Lowfat Strawberry Kefir
- 1/2 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1 tbsp. raw honey
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 1 egg for an egg wash
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 1-2 tbsp. additional Strawberry Lifeway Kefir or Organic Whole Milk Plain Lifeway Kefir
- 2 tsp. raw honey
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Pastry Filling: In a bowl, mix Lifeway Farmer Cheese, Lowfat Strawberry Lifeway Kefir, and honey with a hand mixer until smooth. Fold in the 1 1/2 cups fresh, diced strawberries and stir well with a spatula until mixed. Set aside.
- On a clean surface, roll out the pastry dough and cut into 8 squares, (about 2 x 3 inches each, give or take).
- Place 4 of the pieces of the pan lined in parchment paper.
- Reserve a little room on each side of 4 of the pastry squares (about 1/2 inch on each side), add a little of the filling from step 2 until all 4 of the sheets are filled. Tip: Don't fill them too high, just enough to have a light layer of filling inside.
- Top with remaining 4 squares of pastry dough and crimp/seal the edges with a fork.
- Brush tops with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops are a light golden brown color.
- Once they are done, let them cool on the pan 15-20 minutes.
- For the topping: Whisk together 1-2 tbsp. additional Strawberry Lifeway Kefir (or use our whole milk plain kefir) with 2 tsp. raw honey. Drizzle this on top and crumble freeze-dried strawberries on top of all the pastries. Let this set 5-10 minutes, then serve.
- Storage Tips: These can not be left at room temperature; keep in the fridge. To reheat, microwave for 1:30 seconds or until desired temp is reached. They also taste great when served chilled!
- For a dessert option: Serve these hand pies with a little whipped Farmer Cheese and additional fresh berries. See our Lifeway Whipped Farmer Cheese Recipe Here!
