Do you believe in guardian angels? I do. I was introduced to the concept by my grandparents, during my childhood days. I’m not sure what got me fascinated about angels, but somehow the idea of your own “kaval malakha” (guardian angel) still hold very dear to me. I’ve even started collecting miniature guardian angels.
Though I was introduced to the concept under religious circumstances, I no longer associate it with just religion only. Today, the scope of guardian angel is far and wide for me. Every time life throws me a curveball, guardian angel covers me with a safety net. I’m not just referring to critical situations…
If you are wondering what’s the connection between guardian angels and egg puffs, for me there is a connection. Stay with me for a minute, there’s a lil bit of background info.
Do you remember about my irrational fear of dogs? I don’t know how to describe it, but the moment I see a dog, fear takes over my body and I become completely helpless. This is no exaggeration!!
Now, if you’ve been to Bangalore, you might know how stray dogs rule. I’m not sure if it’s like that today, but that was the case when I lived there. At that time, traveling by myself was a nightmare because of this.
If and when I see a dog, I’d turn to the person right next to me, irrespective of whoever they are. Because of that I’ve come across different kinds of people. Some people are very kind and helpful, some half-heartedly help, some just walk away!
There was a bakery called “Kamala Bakery” near our apartment in Bangalore. For some reason the road from Kamala Bakery to our apartment was dug up and there was no means to reach our flat other than walking. Though it’s just 5 mins distance, you will see a min of 7-10 dogs along the road. Because of that, it always felt like a long way home.
During those days Kamala Bakery was managed by a group of young guys from Malabar (Northern Kerala). They used to have really good Meat Puffs and Egg Puffs. I used to wake up dreaming about their puffs.
It was the right amount of crispiness and flakiness and their masala was absolutely flavourful! Because of this my friends and myself were regular customers there. It’s not just us, their puffs were the best selling ones, I remember sometimes waiting for a fresh batch to come in, since they got over so fast!
Ok, now coming to the guardian angel part, I already told you about the dogs on the way to my apartment right? On occasions when my friends weren't there with me, I go straight to the bakery, no not just for the puffs, I go there to ask any of them to walk me home. It’s always crazy busy there, so what they used to do was, give me a small stool to sit inside the bakery and some coffee n snacks, while they attend to the non stop customers.
When they got a breathing space, one of them would walk me home and make sure that I got inside safely, before they left. This was almost a daily ritual and sometimes happening 2-3 times in a day.
They were my guardian angels! For a person who doesn't have any such fears this can be nonsense, but for me, because of that fear, many times I would feel stranded and absolutely helpless. Unless you have an irrational fear, it’s very difficult to understand.
There are many who make fun of me, call me fussy, get angry at me for acting silly (some of these are people who are close to me), but these guys… they never got irritated or found me as a nuisance and apart from the occasional light hearted banter, never made fun of my fear.
I’m not sure whether that bakery is still there or even if it’s there, who’s managing it these days. After that year in Bangalore, whenever I hear the word Egg Puffs, it reminded me of those guys.
For me they served a good helping of kindness along with their yummy food! Such acts of kindness, at the time of your need, without expecting anything in return is what made me continue to believe in the existence of guardian angels.
Coming to our recipe, puffs are a very common in Kerala bakeries and should I say hospital canteens too ;)? Hard boiled eggs coated in flavourful masala, wrapped up in golden crispy and flaky puff pastry is a treat for your taste buds. From being a staple, it has become an indulgence for me.
This is something you can easily cook, if you are using readymade puff pastry like me. Well, if you are into making everything from scratch and absolute scratch, go ahead and make puff pastry at home. If you want my opinion, buy a pack of frozen puff pastry from supermarket ;)
Well, I’m recommending this recipe as an indulgence or as a treat and not as a daily menu item. It’s good as an evening snack or for brunch or if you are having guests for breakfast or brunch or evening tea. It hardly takes any time and I’m yet to come across anybody who says “no” to a good egg puff.
Here is the recipe…
Heat oil in a wide pan and add sliced onions. Cook till the onion becomes golden brown. Once the onion becomes golden brown, add crushed ginger and garlic and cook for 2-3 mins…

Add all masala powders and salt. Cook till the oil appears, around 2-3 mins. Add 1 – 2 tbsp hot water to bring everything together. Add ketchup (refer notes), curry leaves and mix well…

Beat 1 egg with 1-2 tsp water for egg wash. Apply this egg mixture on four sides of the puff pastry. Place about 1 tbsp of masala on each puff pastry, followed by half a slice of egg. Put some masala on top of the egg as well…

Bring together the diagonally opposite sides and seal. Apply the egg wash all over the sealed puffs. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins or until the puff pastry is golden in colour…

Ingredients
- 8 squares Puff pastry (I used 4 inch square frozen puff pastry, refer notes to see how to make homemade puff pastry)
- 4 Hard boiled eggs (cut into half)
- 2 - 3 Onion (medium - big, finely sliced (refer notes))
- 1.5 - 2 tsp Crushed ginger & garlic (each)
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1.5 tsp Chilli powder
- 1/2 - 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp Pepper powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam masala / meat masala (refer notes)
- 1 tbsp Tomato ketchup
- Curry leaves
- 1 Egg (for egg wash)
- Oil ( I used coconut oil)
- Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 C, 10 mins before baking.
- Line a baking sheet with al.foil or parchment/baking paper.
- Heat oil in a wide pan and add sliced onions. Cook till the onion becomes golden brown.
- Once the onion becomes golden brown, add crushed ginger and garlic and cook for 2-3 mins. Add all masala powders and salt. Cook till the oil appears, around 2-3 mins. Add 1 - 2 tbsp hot water to bring everything together. Add ketchup (refer notes), curry leaves and mix well.
- Thaw the puff pastry as per the package instructions.
- Beat 1 egg with 1-2 tsp water for egg wash. Apply this egg mixture on four sides of the puff pastry.
- Place about 1 tbsp of masala on each puff pastry, followed by half a slice of egg. Put some masala on top of the egg as well.
- Bring together the diagonally opposite sides and seal. Apply the egg wash all over the sealed puffs.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins or until the puff pastry is golden in colour.
- Serve with tomato ketchup.
Notes
You can use readymade chicken masala or egg masala instead of garam masala. I sometimes use Arabic masala called Baharat, that also works well.
If you add 1 tbsp water to ketchup before adding it to masala, it will incorporate well into the masala. If you dont want to use ketchup, use 1 medium sliced tomato and 1/2 - 1 tsp vinegar instead. If you are making this for a party, you can prepare the masala, 1-2 days in advance and refrigerate.
If you want you can add sliced eggs into the prepared masala and coat it well the masala. Be careful not to break the eggs while mixing.
Tried this recipe. It tasted great.
Can the masala be frozen? (Without the egg)
Hey my puff always get stick to the bottom of the foil . And it opens up too.. is there any tip.
You can grease the al.foil with butter to prevent it from sticking and try sealing the puff pastry together with egg wash. I guess the shape of the puffs also determines whether the pastry will open up or not.
Try using baking paper brush a little butter over it and then put the puffs on top.
Thanks for the tip :)
Use a toothpick to hold it together like a burger.
It always work
Thanks Sijin for that tip, will def try it :)
HI,CAN WE TRY THIS WITH SPRING ROLL SHEETS
Hi Sandhya,
I dont think the texture will be the same. The puff pastry gets that texture and flavour from the fat used. I dont think spring roll sheets doesn’t have that much fat in them.
Cheers
Maria
At what temperature should it be baked?
Hi Salim,
It’s written in the recipe in the beginning. Bake at 200 C
Oops, thanks. One more information required (not related to this recipe). One cup is 230 ml right?
I have tried many of your recipes. Kuttanadan duck roast is the one that made my wife raise her hands in defeat. Kallu shappu style beef fry too is great.
Thanks to you :-)
Yep, 1 cup is 230 ml :)
It was such a co-incidence seeing this on google plus today! I have puff pastry in the fridge and I was thinking of making egg puff – reminds me of my Bangalore days too when puff would serve as breakfast/lunch/snack/dinner all in one:) Thanks for the recipe Maria.
Hi Ria,
You are welcome dear :) Good to know that this post brought you back Bangalore memories :)
Looks yummy..wanna try …which brand puff pasty sheets did u use?