These apple turnovers taste like apple pie but are easier to make with puff pastry and a homemade apple filling! Ready in less than an hour, these handheld treats are a delicious apple breakfast or dessert to enjoy this season!
Want more easy apple dessert recipes? Other seasonal favorites we love during the fall include apple dump cake, apple fritters and baked apples!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: Just like my cheese danish store-bought puff pastry saves time in these easy apple turnovers that are bakery-quality and ready in less than an hour!
- Irresistible: From the warm cinnamon apple filling to the sweet powdered sugar glaze with a hint of caramel, these flaky pastries have the best taste.
- Seasonal favorite: During autumn, apple recipes are a favorite when it comes to fall baked goods. Plus, a great way to use up all those apples from apple picking!
- Handheld: If you don’t have time to bake a Dutch apple pie these apple turnovers are a great handheld ‘pie’ option with similar taste. Everyone will love their own individual portion!
Recipe Variations
- Air fryer: On a warm fall day, you may not feel like using your oven, so you can air fry these instead! Place assembled apple turnovers in air fryer basket and air fry at 325°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze: Instead of the caramel sauce glaze, use a powdered sugar glaze, cream cheese glaze or maple glaze instead. Add a sprinkle of course sugar for some extra sparkle!
- Filling: Feel free to use any homemade pie filling or your favorite canned filling if you would like. I love to use leftover apple pie filling or cherry pie filling when I have them on hand.
- Warm spices: Instead of cinnamon and nutmeg, use apple pie spice instead.
- Serving: Dunking slightly warm apple turnovers into soft homemade whipped cream is the perfect way to serve them, although a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a second favorite.
How to Make Apple Turnovers
Remove puff pastry sheets from the freezer to thaw slightly. It’s easier to work with cold pastry, so do not thaw completely. While pastry is thawing, dice apples and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Combine ingredients for your apple filling in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened. While your apple filling is cooling, roll out 1 sheet thawed puff pastry dough into a large square then cut into 4 smaller equal squares.
Add apple mixture to one side of each pastry square leaving a border for sealing. Brush the egg wash along the edges of the pastry where the apple mixture is then fold corner to corner, creating a triangle shape. Using a fork, press the edges together to seal.
Place apple turnovers on parchment lined baking sheets and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Cool slightly before adding glaze.
Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing Instructions
To get a head start on making these ahead of time, prepare the apple filling and store covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze unbaked assembled turnovers. Assemble turnovers minus the egg wash and glaze, then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and flash freeze for about 2 hours until frozen. Transfer frozen apple turnovers to a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze until ready to bake. When ready to bake, brush with egg wash and bake from frozen.
Once baked, leftover apple turnovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm if desired. You can also freeze baked and cooled turnovers for up to two months. Thaw, add glaze and enjoy!
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Apple Turnover Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Apple Turnovers
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples , peeled, cored, and diced
- ½ Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 (17.25-ounce) package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons caramel sauce , optional (I used Ghirardelli caramel sauce)
Instructions
Apple Turnovers
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, toss the apples with lemon juice until well coated. Set aside
- Remove puffy pastry from the freezer and let thaw while making the apple filling.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened. Stir in the cornstarch until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 sheet thawed pastry into a large square (about 11 inches). Cut into 4 smaller equal sized squares.
- In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water to make an egg wash. On 1 side of each pastry square, add about 1 1/2 Tablespoons apple mixture, being sure to leave a border for sealing. Brush the egg wash along 2 edges on the side of the pastry where the apple mixture has been placed. Fold from corner to corner over the mixture, creating a triangle shape. Press or crimp the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Place turnovers on the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them. Repeat steps 5 to 6 with the second sheet of puff pastry. Brush the tops of the turnovers with egg wash.
- Bake 20 minutes, or until the turnovers are puffed and lightly browned. Let the turnovers to cool slightly while making the glaze.
Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Add caramel sauce, if using. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar or milk (you want to be able to drizzle it).
- Drizzle the glaze over the turnovers and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Halloween, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
This apple turnover recipe is so awesome and really easy to make. One of my new go-to puff pastry and apple recipes. So yummy!
Ok, these are now my new fall treat! So fun to make and everyone loved them!