Pastels (Fried Fish Pastries)

Name: Pastels (Fried Fish Pastries)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Senegal
Ingredients: 1 lb white fish fillet, finely chopped; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced; 2 tbsp parsley, chopped; 1 tsp paprika; 20 spring roll or empanada wrappers; 1 egg, beaten, for sealing; Vegetable oil, for deep frying

8 servings40 min prep20 min cookMedium Senegal

♡ Sign in to save Print / Save as PDFPro

The Story Behind It

The Tale of Pastels (Fried Fish Pastries)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Pastels, crescent-shaped pastries filled with spiced fish, are a Senegalese street food and party favorite, their fried-turnover format shared with similar snacks found across West Africa and the wider Portuguese- and French-influenced Atlantic world. They're typically served as an appetizer or quick bite at gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

1 lb white fish fillet, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tsp paprika
20 spring roll or empanada wrappers
1 egg, beaten, for sealing
Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Instructions

1Mix chopped fish, onion, garlic, scotch bonnet, parsley, and paprika; season with salt.
2Sauté the filling briefly in a little oil until the fish is just cooked, then let cool.
3Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each wrapper and fold into a triangle or half-moon, sealing edges with beaten egg.
4Heat oil to 350°F in a deep pot.
5Fry the pastels in batches 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp.
6Drain on paper towels and serve hot with a spicy dipping sauce.

Want Cook Mode, your own recipe photos, and unlimited calculators?

Get Home Cooking Pro

Comments

Loading comments…