Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
These homemade puff pastry Apple Turnovers are so easy.
This recipe is straightforward to make using store-bought puff pastry and a fresh apple pie filling. Enjoy these bakery-style, flaky pastries that you have baked yourself for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Puff pastry has always been one of my favorites. It’s wonderful because it can be used to make sweet or savory recipes. My Puff Pastry Twists and Australian Sausage Rolls make for scrumptious snacks.
But if you have a sweet tooth, these Cream Horns are gorgeous, this Nutella Pastry Flower is a cinch to make and so are these puff pastry Apple Turnovers.
Of course, the combination of apples with cinnamon is a classic, and for a very good reason. It also works perfectly in my Apple Crostata. If these are your favorite flavors too, I highly recommend this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. YUM!
Ingredients
By now you realize that you’ll need puff pastry. We are keeping this super simple so let’s use store-bought puff pastry. To make it easy, use the frozen prerolled puff pastry which you can just cut to size.
You will also need:-
- Apples: I like Granny Smith apples but almost any apples will be fine. A combination of different varieties is even better still!
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter will work for this recipe.
- Brown sugar: Dark brown sugar adds so much flavor but use whatever you have in the pantry. Let’s make this as easy are possible.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is one of the well-known spices to add to any apple recipe. This is easily available at all grocery stores and can be used in lots of different recipes.
- Cornstarch: Just a little is used for thickening the apple filling. This is known as cornflour in some countries.
- Egg: A little bit of egg is needed to seal the pastry and ensure the apple turnovers remain closed.
Substitutions
- Apples: Use canned, sliced apples instead. My preference is pure canned apples with no additions. You will need a 14-ounce can (400 grams) of pure canned apples with no additions. Simply heat the canned apples together with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch (cornflour) until thickened.
- Brown Sugar: White sugar can be used if you’re out of brown sugar.
- Cinnamon: Substitute apple pie spice for the ground cinnamon.
How to make apple filling
To make the homemade apple filling, you’ll need fresh apples. Granny Smith apples are a great apple variety for these Apple Turnovers because even when cooked they are never mushy. And making the filling is not going to take much more time.
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- Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces.
- Add to the pan along with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until just tender.
- Thicken with cornflour/cornstarch and water mixture.
- Allow to cool before making turnovers.
How to make apple turnovers
Rolled and ready to bake, square sheets of puff pastry make this recipe super easy! This recipe uses pre-rolled puff pastry. You will need three sheets of pastry for this puff pastry apple turnovers recipe.
- Cut each sheet into 5-inch x 5-inch (12cm x 12cm) squares.
- Divide the apple filling evenly onto each square.
- Lightly brush half of the pastry edge with egg wash.
- Fold pastry over filling and press to seal.
- Snip three slits into the top of the pastries.
- Brush with egg wash.
- Bake until crispy.
Tips for Success and FAQ’s
Remember the turnovers need 25-30 minutes in the oven to get really golden and crispy.
Sure! Prepare until the baking stage. Transfer to the baking trays, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Then just brush with egg wash and bake. Cold pastries may take a few minutes more to brown. Just keep an eye on them in the oven.
Alternatively, prepare the apple filling beforehand – even a day or two in advance- then assemble and bake when you want fresh, flaky pastries.
No. And yes. Really these turnovers are best made and eaten fresh. But if you have leftovers, store in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Turnovers can be eaten the next day cold or crisp them up in a moderate oven for 5 minutes or so. Don’t try to warm these pastries in the microwave, that’s not successful at all!
Serving Suggestions
Don’t you just love a hotel breakfast buffet where the pastries are displayed so temptingly? Now, you can enjoy freshly baked pastries for breakfast or brunch at home. But my favorite way to serve these Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers is with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Yum!
Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers are perfect with just a dusting of powdered (icing) sugar but sprinkle with coarse granulated sugar before baking if you prefer. Either way, you find these crispy pastries will be gobbled up in no time.
More recipes like this
Moist Apple Cake
Cinnamon Panna Cotta with Apple Crumble topping
Puff Pastry Apple Tart
Italian Apple Pie AKA Apple Crostata
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Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Granny Smith apples
- 3 tablespoons butter See Note 1
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoon cornstarch (also known as cornflour)
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen or chilled puff pastry See Note 2
- 1 egg beaten for egg wash
- powdered (icing) sugar, to serve
Instructions
To make apple filling
- Peel, core and chop apples in to smallish pieces.
- Add apples to a frying pan along with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and place on medium heat.
- Stir until the butter is melted and all ingredients are combined and beginning to bubble
- Turn down the heat to a low simmer and cook the apples for 10-15 minutes until just tender.
- Mix cornstarch with 2 teaspoons water. Use this mixture to thicken the apples. If too thick add a spoonful or two of water.
- Transfer apple filling to a dinner plate to cool.
To assemble Apple Turnovers
- Preheat oven to 400F°/200°C and line two baking trays with non-stick parchment paper.
- If frozen, defrost the puff pastry until pliable according to package instructions. If puff pastry becomes too hot it will be limp and hard to handle – in that case just pop it back in the fridge.
- Cut each sheet of pastry into 5-inch x 5-inch (12cm x 12cm) squares.
- Divided apple filling over half of each square.
- Brush half of the edge of each square lightly with egg wash.
- Fold pastry over apples encasing the filling and press the edges well to seal.
- Transfer finished pastries to lined baking tray.
- With scissors or a sharp knife cut three slits in the top of each assembled pastry.
- Brush tops with egg wash.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Cool on wire rack.
- Dust with powdered (icing) sugar to serve.
Notes
- Use either salted or unsalted butter.
- Gluten-free puff pastry can be used to make this recipe. Be sure to also use gluten-free cornstarch to make these apple turnovers gluten-free.
For a sugary crunch, sprinkle the pastries with coarse granulated sugar before baking. Can these pastries be prepared in advance?
Absolutely! Prepare them up to the baking stage, then transfer them to baking trays, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, brush with egg wash and proceed. Cold pastries might need a few extra minutes in the oven to brown. Can the apple filling be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the apple filling up to a day or two in advance. Assemble the pastries and bake when you’re ready for a fresh, flaky treat. Do these Apple Turnovers store well?
While these turnovers are best enjoyed fresh, they can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. For reheating, you can either eat them cold or warm them up in a moderate oven for about 5 minutes. Avoid using a microwave, as it won’t produce optimal results.
Nutritional Estimate Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
These look so delicious Marcellina, and what a wonderful way to eat apple pie. Love the shortcut you suggest with using canned apple. Saves a trip to the supermarket to buy fresh Granny Smith apples. We’ve had afternoon storms all week here in Mackay too, thankfully it has cooled down temporarily.
10 stars!!!!
this recipe really needs a warning: “you WILL be tempted to eat these right out of the oven, but you MUST resist or else you will burn your mouth”. yes I burned my mouth because I couldn’t wait!
I did half of them with powdered sugar and half with a glaze. my husband ate one of each back to back 😂
Oh my, Lauren, I hope you didn’t burn you mouth too badly. You do sound like me though – I just can’t resist them right out of the oven!
You can never go wrong with puff pastry turnovers, they are my favorite made because they are so simple and delicious!
Thank Genevieve! These are always a crowd pleaser!
In Finland, we use cinnamon everywhere, and this recipe is among my favourites. The filling flavours were just perfect together.
Cinnamon is such a wonderful spice, Luca. I think I’d love Finland!
These came together much easier than they looked! We’re not the best at baking, but the recipe was clear and easy to follow. Will definitely be making again!
Cody, that’s great that you were able to follow the steps easily. It seems that no matter what they look like before baking, these Apple Turnovers always look amazing after baking.
These were divine! I just love the flakiness the puff pastry gave these turnovers, and the filling was perfectly spiced. Delicious!
I adore flaky puff pastry too, Amanda!
These puff pastry apple turnovers were so delicious! I loved how easy they were to make with the puff pastry, they were so flaky and delicious!
Yes, Kayla, these are so easy and delicious!
My kids really loved these!! I will definitely make it again!
Lovely recipe. So easy and looks delicious. I’m going to bake this tomorrow for my boys. They will love this I’m sure.
These puff pastry’s are so delicious! They remind me of the ones I grew up eating but better!
This homemade puff pastry Apple Turnovers looks good!:) Can’t wait to try this. Yum! Thanks.:)
My kind of recipe. I love working with puff pastry. So much better than the turnovers you get at McD’s.
These are so easy and so wonderful. I had some Granny Smith apples that needed to be used. This was perfect. My husband loved them. I decided to make small ones to take to the office. Great recipe! Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Marlena! Glad that you love them as much as we do.
These are so simple and delicious. I’ve made them a few times and they are a real crowd pleaser. I serve mine with dollop cream and/or vanilla ice cream. Thank you for a terrific recipe
Jules, that sounds like the best way to serve these apple turnovers! Thanks for the feedback! xx
Can you prepare turnovers and freeze. Then when want to serve cook in oven and serve. Not sure by making. Russ rnovers if puff pastry will hold up when you decide to cook them at a later date
I haven’t done that but I can’t see why not! Prepare up to the point of baking then freeze on a baking tray. When frozen they can be packed into an airtight container with layers of baking paper in between. I would bake from frozen but for 10 minutes longer.
Would 3 tablespoon of brown sugar make it sweet enough?
I would like to give this recipe a try.
Hi Shiran, I find it sweet enough. However if you prefer sweeter desserts, you may want to add more. The good thing about this recipe is that you can taste the filling before you use it – if it’s not sweet enough stir in a little more sugar until it is to your taste. Alternatively, use white sugar which I find seems sweeter than brown. Happy baking!
Perfect timing! I happen to have a surfeit of apples and some puff pastry in the freezer. This sounds like a lovely way to enjoy those apples, and pretty easy, too.
Absolutely amazing and so full of flavours ! Pinned and shared and everything 🙂
Glad you liked it! And thanks for sharing!
My family love apple desserts and I love how I seem to already have all the ingredients at home to try them tonight! Can’t wait!
Marcella, this recipes looks so wonderful! I simply cannot resist caramelised apples -plus with the addition of pastry, you’ve got a real winner! Cannot wait to try it at home. I can tell my kitchen will smell wonderful!