These Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers are the easiest fall dessert recipe. Made with store bought puff pastry and a simple apple filling that tastes just like apple pie! You will have people begging for the recipe.
This recipe was originally published September 4, 2013. It has since been updated to include fresh photos and helpful tips.
Recipe Features:
- Quick and Easy- You can have this pastry ready for the oven in under 10 minutes!
- Rich Fall Flavor- Butter and brown sugar combined with a slightly tart apple gives you a dreamy pie filling.
- Make-Ahead- You can make these in advance for a quick treat that is perfect for sharing.
Apple season has my heart all fluttery. I love any reason to bring home bunches of granny smith, honey crisp, or red delicious. Especially when it is for a sweet dessert recipe!
This apple turnover recipe doesn’t get any easier. Puff pastry, which can be found in the freezer section of your local grocer, is the secret ingredient! Add a few pantry staples like butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and you have a bakery worthy treat the entire family will love. While they were tasty all on their own, you will want to top with a glaze. The pastry itself is not super sweet so this makes for a perfect finish!
Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers Ingredients:
With only 6 ingredients, most of which are pantry staples, this recipe is sure to be a hit! It is no-fail and ideal for beginner bakers thanks to the pre made pastry crust! Here is a list of ingredients you need for this fall dessert:
- Apples- Tart apples, like granny smith, are what you will want. They produce a bold flavor and blend well with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Butter- I opt for salted butter but unsalted will work just as well.
- Brown sugar- Not too much, but enough to add a sweetness to the filling.
- Cinnamon- A staple fall flavor profile.
- Cornstarch- To help thicken the filling.
- Puff Pastry- While you can make your own, we find it extra simple to purchase the premade version in the freezer section. Once thawed it makes the perfect crust for you pastry.
What kind of apples should you use in dessert recipes?
Most people will suggest a tart apple, like Granny Smith, for pies and tarts. While I do agree, I also suggest adding in a bit of sweet. Pairing the tart apples with a crisp sweetness gives your apple recipes a boost. For example, I have been known to use Honeycrisp apples paired with my Granny Smith.
Red Delicious apples are also my go-to for pies and sweet recipes. They keep a slight crunch and taste divine.
Apple Turnovers from Scratch
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat for easy removal and cleanup.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted.
- Add the apple pieces and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly to avoid burning. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
- Unroll both sheets of pastry onto a cutting board.
- Cut each sheet into four squares.
- Divide the apple filling into each square.
- Brush water around the edge of the pastry with a pastry brush or clean finger. Fold each one corner to corner creating a triangle. Press down the edges and use a fork to seal tightly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned.
What kind of crust do you use in a turnover recipe?
Turnovers are typically made using pastry dough. Pastry dough is a base of cold butter and flour that is gently rolled out and shaped to fit your dessert.
I was looking for a time saving option that would still have the light and buttery flavor – Enter pre made puff pastry.
You can find sheets of puff pastry in the freezer section of your grocery store. Let them come to room temperature, fill with your apple filling, fold and bake!
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Lining the baking tray helps you to remove the pastry easily and also makes cleanup easier. Especially if there are any leaks from the filling.
- This recipe uses a simple vanilla glaze topping but you could also use a salted caramel sauce.
- In a crunch for time? Use canned pie filling. While it won’t be quite as flavorful, it will still be delicious.
Turnovers are a dessert made by filling a pastry dough with sweet or savory fillings. The edges are sealed and the treat is baked until golden brown. It most resembles a hand pie and is a go-to treat for any occasion.
Yes! The key is to freeze the turnovers after they have been assembled but BEFORE you bake them.
Place the assembled pastry on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 20 minutes. Wrap each in plastic wrap and transfer to a labeled zip top bag. Store in the freezer for up to two months.
When ready to bake, place directly from the freezer to a preheated oven and bake as directed.
We have never not had at least a little leak out of our pastry. However, you can keep the leaking to a minimum by making sure you crimp the edges well. If you notice that the pastry is not holding together, brush a small amount of water along the edges before you fold them over the top.
The keep baked turnover pastry fresh keep stored up to five days covered in the refrigerator. I suggest using an airtight container or zip top bag and keep them stored in the back of the refrigerator, where it is coldest.
While this recipe specifically calls for apples, you could easily substitute cherries, blueberries, peaches or even Nutella! Another option is a savory turnover. Fill with cheese or tofu!
More Apple Recipes:
- Caramel Apple Pie
- Apple Baked Pork Chops
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Easy Apple Bars
- Apple Pie Moonshine
- Apple Cider in the Slow Cooker
- Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe
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Apple Turnovers
Ingredients
Pastry:
- 2 Granny Smith apples peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 package puff pastry sheets thawed
Vanilla Glaze:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pastry
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat for easy removal and cleanup.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted.
- Add the apple pieces and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly to avoid burning. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
- Unroll both sheets of pastry onto a cutting board.
- Cut each sheet into four squares.
- Divide the apple filling into each square.
- Brush water around the edge of the pastry with a pastry brush or clean finger. Fold each one corner to corner creating a triangle. Press down the edges and use a fork to seal tightly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned.
Glaze- Whisk together 3/4 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Spoon or drizzle over the top of your pastry before serving.
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Comments & Reviews
Alyssa @ Piece of Home says
These look amazing! I’m going to feature them on my blog tomorrow so keep an eye out! Thanks for sharing!
kayla says
I’m so making these in a few. Have some apples I need to get rid of and these look pretty good
Deidre~ says
ooooh Jesseca! YUMMO one of my favorites :)Its the perfect time of year for making these,on my way now to the farmers market to buy some apples,lol Thanks!
Lisa Summerhays says
Yum, sounds like my kind of treat. Must try. Thanks for sharing!
Kaylynn says
I was SO distracted with the apple part I didn’t even see the DIPPING SAUCE. Are you freaking kidding me? YUM!!!
Yvonne says
I can’t believe you don’t like apples cooked OR uncooked!! They are so tasty! This recipe looks fabulous and I actually have puff pastry in the freezer, leftover from my brie… and I have a zillion apples I picked up from a friend. Done and done: I’m making these 🙂
Kathleen says
Oh yum. Love apple turnovers. Pinning this.
Kaylynn says
Oh. My.
I’ve been wondering what to do with my Pastry Puff! Problem solved!! Thank you!!!
Jenny says
So ready to eat these NOW! I love turnovers!
Vanessa Barker says
Cooked apple anything is pretty much my favorite!! These look super simple. i think I’m gonna need to try them out. Thanks, I’m definitely pinning!!
Debra says
I don’t really love cooked apples, but I kind of secretly love apple turnovers. I will have to try these.
Jesseca says
I hate cooked or raw apples, but these are pretty good. I think it’s the salted caramel sauce that made it work for me ;0)