Homemade Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers: An Easy Recipe for Flaky Fall Treats

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these incredible homemade Apple Turnovers, featuring a golden, flaky puff pastry crust and a luscious apple pie filling. This recipe is your perfect guide to creating a beloved fall treat that’s surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re craving a cozy breakfast, a delightful brunch item, or a sweet dessert, these apple turnovers are guaranteed to impress. This recipe yields 4 perfectly sized turnovers, but can easily be doubled to satisfy a larger crowd or for meal prepping.

For years, the thought of making flaky pastries at home often conjured images of complicated pie crusts – the chilling, the rolling, the endless pursuit of that elusive perfect circle. While traditional pie crust certainly has its charm, there’s a revolutionary alternative that offers unparalleled ease and a spectacular result: puff pastry.

Puff pastry has emerged as a true game-changer in home baking. Its delicate layers puff up beautifully when baked, creating an airy, crisp, and incredibly buttery texture that simply melts in your mouth. Forget the struggles of temperature-sensitive dough or trying to achieve straight edges with a rolling pin. Puff pastry comes pre-made and ready to transform into a wide array of sweet and savory delights, including these magnificent apple turnovers.

Just look at how these puff pastry apple turnovers beautifully rise and become golden brown! Each bite offers a satisfyingly flaky crunch, followed by the warm, sweet embrace of homemade apple pie filling. It’s a match made in heaven, combining convenience with gourmet taste.

The beauty of puff pastry lies in its simplicity. Typically found in the frozen section of most grocery stores, it’s often sold in rectangular sheets. This means you can skip the arduous task of rolling out dough into a specific shape. A quick thaw, a gentle roll to achieve your desired thickness and size, and you’re halfway to baking perfection. For this recipe, a simple 12×12 inch square, cut into four equal pieces, creates the ideal base for small batch apple turnovers.

Folding puff pastry is also a breeze. Its pliable nature makes it incredibly forgiving, allowing you to create neat triangles with minimal effort, much like the process for puff pastry chocolate croissants. No more wrestling with a stubbornly misshapen dough! So, while pie crust has its moments, today, we celebrate the undeniable ease and deliciousness of puff pastry apple turnovers – perfect for any time of day.

What are Apple Turnovers?

A turnover is a classic pastry characterized by a filling encased within a folded piece of dough, then baked until it reaches a beautiful golden brown. The term “turnover” itself comes from the way the dough is “turned over” the filling. These delightful handheld treats can be made with either sweet or savory fillings, offering incredible versatility.

While traditional turnovers often utilize pie crust, using puff pastry elevates the experience, providing a lighter, airier, and distinctly flaky texture. Apple turnovers, in particular, are a favorite, combining tender, spiced apples with a rich, buttery crust. They are a staple in bakeries and a comforting homemade treat, especially popular during the fall season when apples are at their peak.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Apple Turnovers

Crafting these delectable apple turnovers requires a few key ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture:

• Puff Pastry: This is the star of our show! Ensure you’re using puff pastry, not phyllo dough, as they have different properties. You’ll typically find it in the frozen dessert or freezer aisle next to pie crusts. Remember to thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator before use, according to package instructions, for optimal handling. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even try making homemade puff pastry.
• Apple Pie Filling: The heart of your turnover! While I prefer the fresh, vibrant taste of homemade apple pie filling, high-quality canned filling is a perfectly acceptable and convenient alternative. Ensure your filling isn’t overly watery, as this can make your pastry soggy.
• Egg: A single large egg, lightly beaten, creates an egg wash. This wash serves a dual purpose: it helps seal the edges of your turnovers, preventing leakage, and it gives the pastry a beautiful golden-brown sheen as it bakes. It also helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the crust.
• Cinnamon Sugar: A classic pairing with apples, this simple mixture adds a touch of spice and sweetness to the exterior of your turnovers, enhancing the overall autumnal flavor profile.
• Vanilla Glaze: Trust me, do not skip this! A simple yet incredibly delicious vanilla glaze drizzled over the cooled turnovers adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful finish, elevating them from great to absolutely irresistible.

Can I Substitute Other Fruits for Apples?

Absolutely! The versatility of turnovers means you can easily swap out the apple filling for other fruits, making them a year-round treat. Here are some delicious ideas:

• For a taste of summer, try cherry pie filling to make delightful cherry turnovers.
• Sweet and tangy blueberry pie filling transforms them into vibrant blueberry turnovers.
• Enjoy the juicy sweetness of peach pie filling for comforting peach turnovers.
• Or, opt for bright strawberry pie filling to create refreshing strawberry turnovers.

Feeling adventurous? I once made a version with banana and Nutella! Simply spread about 2 tablespoons of Nutella in the center of the puff pastry square, top with a few slices of fresh banana, fold, and bake. Voila!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Apple Turnovers

Making these puff pastry apple turnovers is simpler than you might think. Follow these straightforward instructions for a deliciously flaky result:

1. Prepare Your Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, carefully unfold your thawed puff pastry sheet. Gently roll it out into a uniform 12×12 inch square. Using a sharp knife or pastry wheel, cut the large square into four equal 6×6 inch squares. This ensures consistent sizing for your turnovers.
2. Fill and Fold: Take one of your puff pastry squares. Lightly brush the edges (about half an inch in) with some of the beaten egg wash. This acts as glue, helping to seal the turnover securely. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of your apple pie filling into the middle of the square, being careful not to overfill or place the filling too close to the egg-washed edges.
3. Seal the Turnovers: Take one corner of the filled square and fold it diagonally over to meet the opposite corner, forming a perfect triangle. Gently press the edges together firmly with your fingers to seal. For extra security and a decorative touch, you can use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges all around. This also helps prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Place the sealed turnover onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process with the remaining squares.
4. Vent and Glaze (Pre-Bake): Using a small, sharp knife, cut three small slits on the top of each turnover. These vents are crucial as they allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the pastry from becoming soggy and ensuring a beautiful puff. Brush the tops of all the turnovers generously with the remaining beaten egg wash, then sprinkle evenly with your cinnamon sugar mixture.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the turnovers for 18-20 minutes, or until they are gloriously puffed up and have turned a rich golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. Once baked, carefully transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before proceeding to the glaze.

Cooling completely is vital before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting off.

Crafting the Perfect Apple Turnover Glaze

Once your apple turnovers with puff pastry have cooled down entirely, it’s time to add that irresistible finishing touch: a simple, sweet vanilla glaze. This glaze is similar to my popular Bundt cake glaze, but it’s even easier as it doesn’t require butter.

1. Whisk Ingredients Together: In a small bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, milk (at room temperature), and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
2. Adjust Consistency: The key to a perfect glaze is consistency. If your glaze appears too thick to drizzle, add a tiny bit more milk, about half a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired pourable consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it thickens up.
3. Drizzle and Set: Drizzle the glaze generously over your cooled apple pie turnovers. You can use a spoon or a whisk for this. Allow the glaze to set and harden for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This will create a lovely, slightly crisp exterior on the glaze.

How to Store and Enjoy Your Apple Turnovers

While homemade apple turnovers made with puff pastry are truly at their best when enjoyed fresh from the oven on the same day, you can certainly store any extras to savor later. Due to the delicate nature of puff pastry, it tends to lose some of its crispness over time.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any turnovers left, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh their flakiness, you can briefly reheat them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, until warmed through and slightly crisper.

How to Freeze Apple Turnovers for Later

One of the great advantages of this recipe is that these delicious apple turnovers are freezer-friendly, allowing you to enjoy them at your convenience. There are a few different stages at which you can freeze them:

1. Unbaked and Unglazed: Assemble your turnovers completely, but do not brush them with the egg wash or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar yet. This method yields the freshest results when baked later.
2. Fully Baked (before glaze): Bake the turnovers as instructed, but let them cool completely without adding the vanilla glaze. This is a convenient option for quick reheating.
3. Fully Baked and Glazed: While possible, the glaze may become a bit sticky or slightly watery after thawing due to moisture. If you choose this method, be aware of potential texture changes in the glaze.

Freezing Method: Whichever stage you choose, the freezing process is the same. Arrange your apple turnovers in a single layer on a baking tray or plate. Place them in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until they are firm. This “flash freezing” step prevents them from sticking together. Once firm, transfer the turnovers to a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container, ensuring as much air is removed as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Thawing and Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw your apple turnovers in the refrigerator overnight. If frozen unbaked, brush with egg wash and cinnamon sugar, then bake as per the recipe. If frozen baked, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and flaky. If they were unglazed, you can prepare and drizzle the fresh glaze after reheating.

More Delicious Apple Pie-Inspired Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these apple turnovers and are craving more apple-infused goodness, explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Mini Hand Pies
• Mini Apple Pies
• Apple Pie Bars
• Apple Pie Phyllo Cups
• Slab Apple Pie

Originally published September 27, 2012

Conclusion

These homemade puff pastry apple turnovers are more than just a recipe; they are an invitation to create joy in your kitchen. With their golden, flaky crust and warm, spiced apple filling, they offer a comforting taste that’s perfect for any occasion. The simplicity of using puff pastry makes this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels, promising a delightful treat without the fuss. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and experience the pure bliss of a perfectly baked apple turnover. Happy baking!