Buttery, flaky puff pastry wrapped around an irresistibly caramelly apple filling, an Apple Turnover is a like an apple pie you can hold in your hand! This classic treat is fun and easy to make, and you can enjoy it for breakfast or dessert.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Turnover with Puff Pastry
- Puff Pastry Keeps It Easy. Frozen store-bought puff pastry dough makes for simple old-fashioned turnovers. If you want to make the recipe completely from scratch, you can use Whole Wheat Pie Crust Dough and make easy hand pies instead.
- That Yummy, Fruity Filling. If you love fruit pie, you’ll adore turnovers! Apple is the perfect sweet flavor for fall, but you can use any fruit you like. Use Cherry Pie Filling for cherry turnovers in the summer, or swap blueberries or even pears.
- Turnovers Are Great for Breakfast or Dessert. There can be a fine line (or no line) between breakfast and dessert. Turnovers can go either way. Apples at breakfast are just delightful (think Apple Coffee Cake), and apples for dessert are a stellar treat (Fresh Apple Cake). Enjoy whenever your craving strikes!
How to Make The Best Apple Turnover Recipe
The Ingredients
- Frozen Puff Pastry. Feel no shame using store-bought Pillsbury or Pepperidge Farm here! You’re already making the filling from scratch. You can also make your apple turnover with crescent rolls.
- Apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith work best, but other sweet-crisp apples such as Gala apples or Honeycrisp work too. Or, try a mix!
- Butter. Sautéing the apples in a bit of butter cooks down the apples to make them caramel-like and irresistible, like Apple Pie Filling.
- Spices. An autumnal combo of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, with a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and make the filling warm and cozy. Or use premixed apple pie spice.
- Eggwash. One large egg beaten with water gets brushed over the top to create a beautiful, golden finish.
- Powdered Sugar Glaze. The puff pastry itself is not sweet, so adding a drizzle of glaze is the right amount of sweetness for a finishing touch. I make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
The Directions
- Cook the Apple Filling. Your kitchen will smell like apple pie
- Roll the Puff Pastry Sheets. Use a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface.
- Slice. Cut the dough into squares.
- Add the Apple Mixture. Brush the edges with eggwash.
- Fold Over. Press edges together with a fork to crimp. Transfer to a baking sheet and refrigerate.
- Bake. Brush the turnovers with eggwash, then cut small slits on top. Bake apple turnovers at 400 degrees F for 20 to 22 minutes.
- Prepare the Glaze in a Small Bowl. Drizzle glaze over warm turnovers. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. An apple turnover will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container.
- To Reheat. Rewarm apple turnover leftovers in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and golden. Watch for over crisping or burning. Do not shortcut with the microwave here, as they will not be crispy.
- To Freeze. Baked apple turnovers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze completely cooled leftover turnovers before glazing. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then place together in a freezer-safe storage bag. Follow reheating instructions above, adding time as needed until warmed through.
Freezing and Reheating Turnovers
- After the apple turnovers are fully assembled but before baking, flash freeze them on a lined baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container or ziptop bag.
- Bake apple turnover from frozen (no need to thaw) at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes, after brushing on eggwash.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Cold Dough, Not Frozen. Defrost your puff pastry in the refrigerator the day before, as you cannot work with the dough frozen. Work with it as cold as possible right out of the fridge. Do not thaw puff pastry in the microwave.
- No Peeling Required. You do not need to peel your apples for apple turnovers! So, treat yourself to the taste of apple pie with a lot less apple prep work.
- Get the Glaze Right. We are going for a pourable consistency for the glaze. Add a splash of milk if it needs to be thinned, or a touch more powdered sugar to thicken.
- Keep Watch. These apple turnovers can quickly go from golden brown and delicious to burnt, so keep a close eye on them towards the end of baking time.
Apple Turnovers
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Ingredients
- 1 package frozen puff pastry 2 sheets, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups small-diced Granny smith apples about 3 medium or 1 1/4 pounds, or a sweet-crisp apple such as gala or Honeycrisp
- 3 to 4 tablespoons granulated sugar use the larger amount if using very tart apples, the lesser if using sweeter apples
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon rum bourbon, brandy, or apple liqueur (optional)
- 1 large egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water, to create an eggwash
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the apples are softened and caramelized. If using the rum, stir it in. Let cool to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe (transfer to a bowl and place in the refrigerator to speed this process along).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the first sheet of puff pastry from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured work surface, roll it into an 11-inch square. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice it into quarters so you have 4 equal squares.
- Scoop one-eighth of the apple filling onto one diagonal half of each square (place it in one of the four corners of each square and leave the other half uncovered), leaving a 1/2-inch border at the edges. Brush egg wash lightly on the pastry edges that are nearest to the apples, then fold the uncovered side over the apples, creating a triangle packet. With the tines of a fork, press the two edges where the pastries meat together to seal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between each. Repeat with the remaining filling and puff pastry. Transfer to the refrigerator while the oven preheats (or ideally for 20 minutes; refrigerating reduces the risk of the filling leaking out). Keep the eggwash handy.
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 400°F. Brush the top of each pastry with eggwash, then with a sharp knife, cut two small vents in the top of each to allow steam to escape. Bake the apple turnovers until the pastry is puffed and golden, about 20 to 22 minutes.
- While the turnovers bake, prepare the glaze: in a medium bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time (for a thicker glaze) or more milk 1 teaspoon at a time (for thinner). The glaze should be thick but easy to drizzle. Drizzle over the warm turnovers. Let cool a few minutes, then serve.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: An apple turnover will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm apple turnover leftovers in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and golden. Watch for over crisping or burning. Do not shortcut with the microwave here, as they will not be crispy.
- TO FREEZE: Baked apple turnovers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze completely cooled leftover turnovers before glazing. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then place together in a freezer-safe storage bag. Follow reheating instructions above, adding time as needed until warmed through.
Nutrition
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From gooey caramel apple bars to gingerbread apple muffins with a sprinkle of sugar on top, these apple recipes are a treat!
Amazing!
Hi Denise! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi! I made these for a potluck tomorrow morning but I made them into mini versions (12-16 per pie sheet). I baked only for 10 minutes but now I’m wondering if I should have baked longer. The outside is light colored and just very slightly brown. It did puff up a little. The inside is a bit soft.
I’ve already glazed it so I don’t think it’s a good idea to put it back into the oven. Does this sound undercooked?
It’s really hard for me to know, but it sounds like they could be slightly underbaked. You’ll know by looking at the inside of the pastry. If you are seeing layers that are together versus layers that are puffed and flaky then it might be.
These were so simple and so yummy! Making again for Christmas mornig!
So glad to hear it, thanks Jenna!
My husband and son were blown away by these. This is one of the best things I have made in a long time. We usually paired it with vanilla ice cream on top and drizzle some chocolate syrup. Chef’s kiss! Super YUM!!!!
This looks like a wonderful recipe and I can’t wait to try it. Question – you say to leave it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before baking. I was wondering if you could leave them in longer (2-3 hours?) so they can be made in advance and put in the oven in time for a warm dessert?
Hi Regina, I haven’t tested them this way, so I am not sure how the puff pastry will work keep them for a few hours after filled. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!