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I polled my audience and 94% use store-bought puff pastry for apple turnovers. Same here. A quick stovetop apple filling and a 2 ingredient glaze are all it takes. Roll each sheet a little bigger and you get 6 flaky turnovers per sheet.
SO DELISH!!!!!!! Perfect for Autumn🍁🍏🍎
-Jordyn
Apple Turnover Recipe
Store-bought puff pastry doesn’t mean I skipped the testing. I worked through every part of this recipe until it was right, same as everything else I share.
The filling came first. I landed on uniform ½ inch apple pieces because they cook evenly in 5 to 7 minutes. Tender, not mushy, and no hard bites hiding in the middle.
Then I tested how far 2 sheets of puff pastry could go. A lot of turnover recipes get 8 from a package. Roll each sheet to 15×10 inches and cut six 5×5 squares, and you get 12.
What is an Apple Turnover?
An apple turnover is a square of flaky pastry folded over a sweet, spiced apple filling. It bakes up puffy and golden, then gets a drizzle of glaze on top. Breakfast, snack, or dessert, it works for all three.
Why You’ll Love Making Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
Here are just a few of the reasons you’ll love this recipe:
- Store-bought puff pastry. No homemade dough, and you still get flaky layers.
- 12 turnovers from one package. Rolling each sheet larger stretches it to 6.
- Make-ahead filling. Cook it up to 3 days early and assembly goes fast.
- Beginner friendly. Roll, fill, fold, crimp, and bake.
- Built for ice cream. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla.
Apple Turnovers Recipe Ingredients
You don’t need fancy ingredients to make impressive apple turnovers. Keep reading for the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below, plus all my best tips! Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Apples: Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. Peel them and dice into ½ inch pieces so they cook evenly.
- Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg: These turn the apples into a cozy, caramel-y filling.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the apple juices so the filling stays put inside the pastry.
- Puff pastry: One 17.3 oz package with 2 sheets. Thaw it according to the package directions.
- Egg wash: 1 egg plus 1 tablespoon of water seals the edges and gives you that golden shine.
- Glaze: Powdered sugar and milk or water.
How to Make Apple Turnovers
This easy apple turnover recipe uses puff pastry sheets and a perfectly spiced sweet apple filling. Once you realize how easy these are to make at home, you’ll never go back to storebought turnovers again! Keep reading for more tips and the full recipe below. Here are the simple steps:
Apple Filling
- Prep apples. Peel and finely dice the apples into ½ inch pieces.
- Make apple filling: Combine the diced apples, butter, brown sugar and all spices & cornstarch in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stove. Stir occasionally while mixture simmers, 5-7 minutes or until the apples are tender. Note: you can make the apple mixture up to 3 days ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use. This is the same idea as the homemade apple pie filling in my Apple Pie Cookies.
Turnovers
- Prep pastry and oven. Allow the puff pastry to thaw to room temperature according to the package instructions. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Roll and divide pastry. Working with one sheet at a time, use a rolling pin to roll the pastry into a 15 by 10 inch rectangle. Divide the pastry into 6 even squares that are about 5×5 inches.
- Apply egg wash. Combine the egg and water in a small dish to make the egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash along the outside of each square.
- Assemble turnovers. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apple filling onto each square. Fold the puff pastry over, creating a triangle. Use a fork to firmly crimp the edges together. Brush each turnover with egg wash and add 2 vent slits with a knife.
- Bake. Transfer the turnovers to a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Bake at 400ºF for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffy.
- Cool. Allow the turnovers to cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the glaze.
Glaze
- Make glaze. In a small mixing bowl combine the powdered sugar and milk. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar 1-2 teaspoons at a time, if the glaze is too thick add more liquid 1-2 teaspoons at a time. Drizzle over the turnovers.
Icing for Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
In this recipe, we make a sweet glaze to drizzle over the top of each turnover. It’s made with two simple ingredients: powdered sugar and milk (or water). It’s super quick and easy to make, and pairs perfectly with the flaky pastries.
Tips for the Best Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
The trick to making an apple turnover with puff pastry lies in keeping the pastry cold and working quickly. Colder puff pastry ensures that the layers stay flaky and rise properly during baking. After cutting the dough, chill it in the fridge if it starts to soften.
Another key tip is not overfilling the turnovers—too much filling can cause the pastry to burst open while baking. Adding 2 vent slits to the top with a sharp knife helps prevent bursting as well.
While testing this recipe, I also experimented with how many turnovers I could get from 2 sheets of puff pastry. By rolling the sheet of puff pastry into a larger 15×10 inch rectangle, you’re able to make 6 turnovers per sheet! A lot of turnover recipes yield 8, but rolling the dough a bit larger helps to maximize how many you can make!
Apple Turnovers Recipe Variations
These delicious apple turnovers are perfect as-is, but here are some ideas for variations:
- Add more texture: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, or raisins.
- Add brie: If you like savory-sweet, try adding in little bits of brie.
- Make them more decadent: Add chunks of dark chocolate.
- Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers: Use gluten-free puff pastry or a homemade gluten-free dough.
- Use homemade puff pastry: If you want to use a homemade puff pastry, you can absolutely do so!
How to Store Apple Turnovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze baked turnovers, layer them with parchment in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
So easy to make and delicious!
-Cathy
Apple Turnover Recipe FAQs
Not right away. They’re good at room temperature in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days. After that, move them to the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes. Freeze baked turnovers with parchment between the layers for 2 to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm them in the microwave for a few seconds and they’re ready.
You can, just don’t expect the same puff. Pie crust bakes up flatter and more like a hand pie than a turnover. If you want to skip the store-bought pastry altogether, my apple hand pies use a homemade flaky crust that’s easy to work with.
More Apple Recipes
- Homemade Apple Crisp with Oatmeal
- Easy Apple Coffee Cake
- Moist Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Caramel Apple Fudge
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Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (283g) peeled & finely diced apples, 3 large or 4 small apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup (76g) packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed, 17.3 oz package
- 1 large large egg
- 1 Tbsp water
Glaze
- ½ cup (56g) powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp milk or water
Instructions
Apple Filling
- Peel and finely dice the apples into ½ inch pieces.
- Combine the diced apples, butter, brown sugar and all spices & cornstarch in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stove. Stir occasionally while mixture simmers, 5-7 minutes or until the apples are tender. Note: you can make the apple filling up to 3 days ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use.2 ½ cups (283g) peeled & finely diced apples, 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, ⅓ cup (76g) packed brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Turnovers
- Allow the puff pastry to thaw to room temperature according to the package instructions. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
- Working with one sheet at a time, use a rolling pin to roll the pastry into a 15 by 10 inch rectangle. Divide the pastry into 6 even squares that are about 5×5 inches.
- Combine the egg and water in a small dish to make the egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash along the outside of each square.1 large large egg, 1 Tbsp water
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apple filling onto each square. Fold the puff pastry over, creating a triangle. Use a fork to firmly crimp the edges together. Brush each turnover with egg wash and add 2 vent slits with a knife.
- Transfer the turnovers to a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Bake at 400ºF for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffy.
- Allow the turnovers to cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the glaze.
Glaze
- In a small mixing bowl combine the powdered sugar and milk. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar 1-2 teaspoons at a time, if the glaze is too thick add more liquid 1-2 teaspoons at a time. Drizzle over the turnovers.½ cup (56g) powdered sugar, 1-2 Tbsp milk or water
Last Step: I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a rating and comment here.
Notes
- Keep the puff pastry cold. Chill it for a few minutes if it softens while you work.
- Don’t overfill. About 2 Tbsp per turnover keeps them from bursting.
- Storage: room temperature 1 to 2 days, fridge up to 5 days, or freeze baked turnovers up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and microwave a few seconds to warm.
SO DELISH!!!!!!! Perfect for Autumn🍁🍏🍎
How many sheets of the pastry do you use ?
I’ve never baked with it before and do you put the sheets together when you roll
Them to size?
2 sheets of puff pastry come in 1 box, so I use both of them! You’ll fold the dough over itself when forming triangles.
So easy to make and delicious
Can I make these with Cherry Pie Filling?
Yes you can!
Can these turnovers be frozen after baking
Yes! Freeze them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers for 2-3 months. Thaw frozen turnovers overnight in the refrigerator.
Have you tried this with other fruits? Like strawberry or others.
This recipe looks easy, will cook with low sugar brown sugar though.
For the drizzle could you use artificial sweetener or agave?
Hi Alice! I haven’t tried this recipe using any other fruits, but I think it will work successfully! I haven’t experimented with artificial sweetener, but you could give it a go!
The recipe for apple turnovers was delicious! They were a huge hit! My daughter loved baking with Momma and this was a simple and easy to follow recipe for her. Please keep the great recipes coming.
Your video socks. I watched it to find out what you mean by “Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash along the outside of each square” in Step 3. You COMPLETELY SKIPPED Step 3, making your recipe useless.
Hi Michael, I’m sorry – for brevity not every step can be included in the video. But there is a photo in the post showing that exact step – I’ll link it here: https://thefirstyearblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Apple-Turnovers-High-Res-9.jpg
This was a disaster! The puff pastry kept sticking and I couldn’t get the individual pastries up. Easy- I don’t think so. I will never try this again.
Hi Diane! Yikes, I’m curious, what brand of puff pastry did you use?