Homemade Blueberry Turnovers with Puff Pastry: An Easy & Flaky Dessert Recipe

Blueberry Turnovers are an absolute delight, featuring golden, flaky puff pastry generously filled with a luscious burst of sweet blueberry pie filling. This incredibly simple recipe yields 4 individual puff pastry turnovers that can be perfectly baked to golden perfection in either your oven or air fryer, offering delicious flexibility for any occasion.

Following up on the success of my cherry turnovers earlier this summer, it’s now time to embrace another seasonal favorite with these irresistible Blueberry Turnovers! These little pockets of joy are perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or impressing guests with minimal effort.

When you’re expecting family or friends for the weekend, the desire to whip up a homemade dessert is often strong. However, between busy work schedules and travel, finding the time for elaborate baking can be a challenge. That’s where quick and easy dessert solutions become invaluable.

This is precisely where the magic of store-bought puff pastry comes into play! I always make sure to keep a box stashed in my freezer, ready to transform into a variety of effortless yet impressive treats. It’s my secret weapon for speedy desserts like puff pastry cinnamon rolls, elegant puff pastry chocolate croissants, and delightful puff pastry Danishes.

The beauty of puff pastry lies in its convenience: simply unfold the dough and allow it to thaw before you begin. For these blueberry turnovers, I also had a batch of homemade blueberry pie filling ready in the freezer, making the entire process even smoother. However, store-bought filling works just as wonderfully for a truly fuss-free experience.

Much like their fruity counterparts – my apple turnovers, strawberry turnovers, and peach turnovers – these blueberry puff pastry turnovers are characterized by their incredibly flaky, golden-brown crust and a vibrant, juicy blueberry filling that bursts with flavor in every bite. Once they’ve puffed up beautifully from baking, a delicate drizzle of vanilla glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness, making them utterly irresistible.

Understanding that warm weather often calls for cooler cooking methods, I’ve also included detailed instructions on how to make these turnovers in an air fryer. This means you can enjoy these delightful fruit pastries without having to heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven, perfect for those spontaneous fruit cravings on a hot summer day.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Blueberry Turnovers

Crafting your own batch of delectable blueberry turnovers requires just a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Puff Pastry: The cornerstone of these flaky delights! You’ll find puff pastry sheets in the freezer section of most grocery stores, typically near frozen pie crusts. Make sure not to confuse it with phyllo dough, as they have different textures and applications. Thawing it properly according to package directions is crucial for easy handling.
• Blueberry Pie Filling: While I wholeheartedly recommend using homemade blueberry pie filling for its superior flavor and freshness, high-quality canned blueberry pie filling is an excellent and convenient alternative. For a slightly different twist, you could even experiment with a thick blueberry jam without pectin, just be sure it’s not too runny.
• Egg: A single large egg, lightly beaten, creates the perfect egg wash. Brushing your turnovers with this egg wash before baking achieves that beautiful golden-brown color and helps the cinnamon sugar adhere wonderfully to the pastry’s surface. As a bonus, any leftover egg wash can be used for other culinary creations, like dredging chicken for buffalo chicken tacos.
• Cinnamon Sugar: This simple mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic spice that beautifully complements the sweet blueberries, elevating the overall flavor profile of your turnovers. It’s a classic pairing that truly enhances the “pie” experience.
• Vanilla Glaze: This easy-to-make glaze is the finishing touch you absolutely don’t want to skip! It provides a delicate layer of sweetness and a professional sheen, transforming your baked turnovers into an even more irresistible treat.

Beyond Blueberries: Other Delicious Turnover Fillings

Not in the mood for blueberry, or perhaps you’re looking to explore other fruity flavors? Puff pastry turnovers are incredibly versatile! You can easily substitute the blueberry filling with a variety of other delicious options. Consider using classic apple pie filling for a comforting taste, vibrant cherry pie filling for a tart-sweet note, or succulent peach pie filling for a summery treat.

For those who love chocolate, I even enjoy using Nutella and bananas! Simply spread about 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the center of your puff pastry square, top with a few slices of fresh bananas, fold, and bake for a truly indulgent and delightful twist. The possibilities are endless, making turnovers a fantastic canvas for your favorite flavors!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Flaky Blueberry Turnovers

Making these delightful puff pastry blueberry turnovers is surprisingly easy and quick, making them perfect for a last-minute dessert or a weekend breakfast treat. Here’s how to achieve perfectly flaky results:

1. Prepare Your Puff Pastry: First, ensure your puff pastry is properly thawed according to the package directions – typically about 30-40 minutes at room temperature. On a lightly floured surface, carefully unfold the puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out into a 10×10-inch square. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, divide this large square into 4 equal, smaller squares.
2. Fill and Seal: Take one of the puff pastry squares. Using a pastry brush or your finger, lightly brush the edges of the square with a little of the beaten egg wash. This egg wash acts as a glue, helping to seal the turnover effectively. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of your blueberry pie filling into the center of the square, being careful not to overfill or place the filling too close to the edges, as this can lead to leaks during baking.
3. Form the Turnovers: Carefully take one corner of the filled puff pastry square and fold it diagonally over to meet the opposite corner, creating a perfect triangle shape. Gently press the edges together with your fingertips to seal them securely. For extra security and a decorative touch, you can use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges. Transfer the formed turnover to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (or a lightly greased air fryer basket). Repeat this process with the remaining puff pastry squares and filling.
4. Vent and Prepare for Baking: Before baking, it’s important to create vents for steam to escape. Using a sharp knife, make 3 small slits on the top of each turnover. This prevents the pastry from bursting and ensures a beautifully puffed result. After slitting, brush the tops of all the turnovers generously with the remaining beaten egg wash, which will give them a lovely golden sheen.
5. Add Flavorful Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this aromatic cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the tops of the egg-washed turnovers. This adds a delicious sweet and spicy crust to your pastry.
6. Bake or Air Fry:
   • For Oven Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the turnovers for 18-20 minutes, or until they are gloriously puffed up and deeply golden brown.
   • For Air Frying: Place turnovers in a single layer in your lightly greased air fryer basket (you may need to work in batches). Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky. Keep any uncooked turnovers in the refrigerator to keep them cold until ready to air fry.

Due to the delicate nature of puff pastry, homemade blueberry turnovers are truly at their best when enjoyed on the same day they are baked. However, if you have any delicious extras, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, though they may lose some of their initial crispness. While absolutely delicious on their own, consider serving your warm puff pastry turnovers with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Crafting the Ideal Vanilla Glaze for Turnovers

Once your flaky puff pastry blueberry turnovers have completely cooled – this is important to prevent the glaze from melting off – it’s time to prepare their delightful vanilla glaze. This glaze is very similar to my Bundt cake glaze, but without the addition of butter, allowing the pure vanilla flavor to shine through and complement the fruit filling beautifully:

1. Whisk Together: In a small bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, milk (at room temperature for best results), and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and all lumps of powdered sugar have dissolved.
2. Adjust Consistency: The perfect glaze should be thick enough to cling to the turnovers but thin enough to drizzle. If your glaze seems too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, just half a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it thickens up.
3. Drizzle and Set: Generously drizzle the prepared vanilla glaze over your cooled turnovers. Allow the glaze to set and harden for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This creates a beautiful, slightly firm coating that adds both sweetness and visual appeal.

How to Freeze Puff Pastry Turnovers for Later Enjoyment

Planning ahead or simply not going to devour all your delicious blueberry turnovers at once? Excellent news – these turnovers are freezer-friendly, allowing you to enjoy a homemade treat whenever the craving strikes! There are a few convenient ways you can freeze them, depending on when you prefer to do your prep work:

1. Freeze Before Egg Wash (Unbaked): Assemble your turnovers completely, including the filling and sealing, but stop just before brushing them with the egg wash and cinnamon sugar. This method is great for fresh-baked results later.
2. Freeze After Baking (Before Glaze): Fully bake your turnovers until golden and puffed, then let them cool completely. Do not apply the glaze yet. This is ideal if you want to quickly thaw and warm them up before adding a fresh glaze.
3. Freeze After Glazing (Baked & Glazed): You can also freeze turnovers after they’ve been fully baked and glazed. However, be aware that the glaze may become a bit stickier or slightly watery after thawing due to excess moisture, potentially affecting the pristine appearance, but they will still taste delicious!

Whichever freezing method you choose, the preparation steps are generally the same. First, arrange your puff pastry turnovers in a single layer on a tray or plate. Ensure they are not touching each other to prevent them from freezing together. Place the tray in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until the turnovers are firm and solid. This crucial step, known as flash freezing, ensures they won’t stick to each other when stored in a bag.

Once firm, transfer the frozen turnovers into a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. Label with the date, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply transfer the desired number of turnovers to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw overnight. For unbaked turnovers, you can bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. For baked turnovers, gently warm them in a preheated oven or air fryer for a few minutes until heated through and flaky again, then glaze if needed.

More Irresistible Blueberry Recipes

Since you’ll likely have some blueberries leftover after making these turnovers, or if you simply can’t get enough of this fantastic fruit, here are more delicious blueberry recipes to inspire your next baking adventure:

• Blueberry Cobbler For Two: A cozy, warm dessert perfect for sharing.
• Small Batch Blueberry Muffins: Ideal for a quick breakfast or snack without making a huge batch.
• No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake: A refreshing and easy dessert, perfect for summer.

In conclusion, these homemade blueberry turnovers offer an incredibly satisfying blend of convenience and gourmet appeal. With the ease of puff pastry and the burst of fresh or frozen blueberry filling, they are a testament to how simple ingredients can create truly memorable desserts. Whether you choose to bake them in the oven for a classic touch or opt for the quick crispness of an air fryer, you’re guaranteed a flaky, golden-brown treat that’s perfect for any time of day. So gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to enjoy the irresistible charm of your very own blueberry turnovers!