Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers

Name: Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 boxes (2 sheets per box) puff pastry sheets (thawed according to package directions); 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon water; 3 large pink lady apples, peeled and diced into ¼" cubes (approximately 3½ cups) (or other firm, crisp apple); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup confectioners sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons milk (plus additional for your desired consistency); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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They'll think you bought these delicious Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers at the bakery, but you made them at home, and it was quick and easy! TA-DA!!

A glass platter filled with Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers with an icing drizzle.

Bakery-style apple pie turnovers are flakey and flavorful thanks to the convenience of store-bought puff pastry sheets and a delicious no-cook homemade apple filling.

Jump to:

🛒The ingredient list:
⭐Ingredient savvy:
🔪How to peel and dice apples for turnovers:
📷How to make apple turnovers using puff pastry:
🎯Pro tips and tricks for success:
❓FAQ's
🔔How to make homemade puff pastry:
🍏Best apples for baking:
💡How to thaw and roll puff pastry:
🍎Keep the apple theme going:
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🛒The ingredient list:

A visual list of ingredients for making Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers

⭐Ingredient savvy:

Apples - I like to use Pink Lady apples for this recipe because I enjoy their sweetness and firm texture. I also like that they don't get mushy during baking and that they're good apples to have on hand for eating.

Ready Made Puff Pastry - I used two boxes (2 sheets of pastry dough per box) of Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite brand of puff pastry. Thaw the pastry dough in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours before using. Once thawed, you'll need to gently unfold the dough and use a rolling pin to press the seams from the folds.

All-Purpose Flour - Very little flour is required for this recipe. Two tablespoons go into the apple pie filling as a thickening agent for the juices, and a light dusting of flour is used to roll out the pastry dough resulting in less sticking and easier handling.

Milk - The milk is used only for the confectioner's sugar drizzle. I used 2% milk when developing this recipe but feel free to use whole fat milk, 1%, or even half and half or heavy cream if you like. The thicker and richer the milk used, the richer the icing flavor.

Lemon Juice - Is used to prevent the oxidation of the apples and keep them from browning, but the acid also helps to balance out the flavors, so the turnovers aren't overly sweet. Another acidic ingredient, such as lime juice or white vinegar, may also be used if needed.

Ground Cinnamon - I used it in the filling and the icing. If you're a cinnamon lover (like me), then you'll appreciate the little extra touch of flavor it lends to the confectioner's sugar drizzle at the end. It's all about the simple details that can easily elevate your dessert to something truly extraordinary!

Grated Nutmeg - This is an ingredient I strongly urge you to use in these turnovers. Ground or grated nutmeg adds spicy, earthy, nutty notes that pair wonderfully well with the warmth of ground cinnamon.

🔪How to peel and dice apples for turnovers:

📷How to make apple turnovers using puff pastry:

A hand and knife dicing apples for making apple turnovers.

Diced apples in a glass bowl with sugar and spices.

Peel and dice the apples into ¼" pieces. (see video above for technique).

Place the apples in a bowl and add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and flour.

Diced apples mixed with cinnamon and sugar in a bowl with a spatula.

A wooden rolling pin on top of a puff pastry sheet.

Stir well to combine.

Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets into an approximate 12" x 12" square.

A pizza wheel cutting a puff pastry sheet into four pieces for apple turnovers.

Use a pizza wheel or paring knife to divide the rolled dough into four equal squares.

In a small bowl whisk one egg and one tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.

A pastry brush brushing egg wash onto puff pastry squares.

Diced apples being placed onto puff pastry squares to make turnovers.

Brush all four edges of each 6" square with the egg wash.

Place approximately 1½ tablespoons of the apple filling on one corner of the prepared puff pastry.

A hand folding over the puff pastry to make an apple turnover.

A fork pressing the edges of pastry to make apple turnovers.

Gently fold the empty side of the pastry over the apple filling (forming a triangle) and press with fingers to adhere the edges together.

Use the tines of a fork to press and seal the edges well. *Note - dipping the fork tines into flour will help the fork from sticking to the pastry.

A paring knife cutting steam holes on top of unbaked apple turnovers.

Egg wash being brush on top of unbaked puff pastry apple turnovers.

Use a paring knife to cut a steam hole into the top of each turnover.

Use the remaining egg wash to brush over the top of each unbaked pastry. Bake the turnovers in a 400 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

A cinnamon flavored confectioners sugar glaze in a glass bowl with a whisk.

Baked puff pastry apple turnovers getting a zig zag of cinnamon confectioners sugar glaze.

While the turnovers are baking, make the glaze by whisking together confectioners sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.

When the turnovers are completely baked and cooled, pipe or drizzle the glaze on top and you're ready to serve.

🎯Pro tips and tricks for success:

As tempting as it is to want to overfill the turnovers with the delicious apple filling, please restrain yourself from doing so.

You only need roughly 1½ - 2 tablespoons of filling per turnover.

Overfilling the puff pastry turnovers can result in the inability to fold and secure the turnovers before baking, with them possibly bursting open in the oven during baking.

Make sure to dice the apples into ¼" cubes (see video above for the visual instructions) for easier filling of the pastry and proper cooking.

Apples that are diced too large will not cook thoroughly in the oven and will still be hard and crunchy.

Make sure to poke a steam hole into the tops of the turnover dough before baking to prevent sogginess, and also to prevent the turnovers from bursting in the oven.

For that lovely golden brown color make sure to brush the dough with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) before baking.

❓FAQ's

What is puff pastry?

It is a dough that's rolled and folded, and folded and rolled many, many times with either shortening or butter, resulting in layers upon layers of light, crispy, and flaky dough when baked.

Where to find puff pastry sheets in the grocery store?

Find them in the freezer case with other frozen dessert items like pie crust and whipped topping.

What types of apples work best for this recipe?

Any type of apple that doesn't turn to mush when baked or cooked. My favorites are Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Jonagold.

Can almond extract be used in place of vanilla extract?

You bet. My only suggestion would be to use it sparingly as almond extract is quite strong in flavor so a little goes a long way.

Can these be frozen after baking?

Yes! Wrap them will in plastic wrap or package them securely in an airtight freezer container and they can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Can these apple turnovers be made in advance?

Yes. When I made these, I baked them on one day and served them on the next. Cover and store the prepared and baked apple turnovers in a single layer in the refrigerator for up to three days. Allow the turnovers to come to room temperature before serving, or warm them ever so slightly in a very low (200-degree oven) for 3-5 minutes.

Can these puff pastry apple turnovers be baked in an air fryer?

Yes, but you may need to do them in batches depending on how many you're making and how big your air fryer is. I suggest air frying them at a temperature of 375-degrees (watching them closely) for approximately 15-17 minutes.

What dimensions should the puff pastry be rolled to?

Although it doesn't have to be exactly precise, I rolled the prepared puff pastry dough into an approximate 12" x 12" square. When cut, this will make four 6" x 6" individual squares per sheet of puff pastry.

Can this recipe be halved if needed?

Sure. The recipe can easily be divided in half if needed. Since the recipe itself calls for 3 apples, I'd suggest using two apples as opposed to one. It's better to have too much filling leftover instead of not enough.

Can other fillings be used to make a puff pastry turnover?

Sure thing. You are only limited by your imagination. Have fun with playing with the puff pastry sheets, and I'll bet you will come up with some delicious combinations of both sweet and savory ingredients!

How long can puff pastry be kept in the freezer?

Six months is what the manufacturer recommends. Any unused puff pastry sheets should be wrapped well in aluminum foil and returned to the freezer.

Find out how to make easy FILLABLE PUFF PASTRY APPETIZER CUPS using store-bought pastry dough.

🔔How to make homemade puff pastry:

I've made homemade puff pastry only one or two times in my life. It's a relatively long process that shouldn't be rushed, but it is rewarding. My Blueberry Cheese Danish is one such recipe where I made homemade puff pastry.

Another homemade puff pastry recipe I feel is one of the best is from An Italian in My Kitchen. I urge you to check it out and give it a try sometime when you're looking to take your baking skills to another level!

🍏Best apples for baking:

Bon Appetit has a wonderful article about the best apples for baking and how to choose them based on taste.

💡How to thaw and roll puff pastry:

An apple turnover made with puff pastry sheets with a bit of filling oozing out from the side.

🍎Keep the apple theme going:

This comforting and quick Apple Corn Chowder will make an amazing first course to today's apple turnovers. My homemade corn chowder will be on the table in less than 30 minutes and will please the entire family.

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I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy and delicious apple turnovers made with store-bought pastry dough as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!

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