At what temperature should small puff pastries be cooked?

Small puff pastries are best cooked at a temperature that allows them to puff up and achieve a light, airy texture. Cooking them at 200°C typically strikes a balance between achieving that necessary puffiness and ensuring the pastries are cooked through without burning. At this temperature, the outer layers of the pastry can crisp up nicely while the interior cooks at the same rate.

The ideal temperature also helps maintain the proper moisture level, allowing steam to develop within the layers, which is essential for the characteristic flakiness of puff pastry. Lower temperatures might not provide sufficient heat for proper rising and browning, while higher temperatures risk burning the outer layers before the inside is fully cooked. Thus, cooking small puff pastries at 200°C allows for optimal results.