This Apple Turnover Recipe doesnโt get any easier, made with store-bought puff pastry and quick and easy sweet caramelized apple filling!
These Apple Turnovers are bursting with sweet, tender, brown sugar, cinnamon apples cocooned in buttery, light, flaky puff pastry, made from start to finish in just over an hour! Theyโre all the deliciousness of apple pie, without all of the work! These turnovers come together quickly by using easy-to-find and easy-to-use store-bought puff pastry that bakes up magically airy, flaky, and puffy. The caramel apple filling is sautรฉed on the stovetop in 10 minutes, then itโs just a fold, brush and bake to apple-filled pastry heaven. Drizzle the Apple Turnovers with vanilla glaze and/or buttery, silky caramel sauce for the perfect fall dessert!
The fall screams apple dessert recipes! Donโt miss apple dump cake, apple oatmeal cookies, mini apple pies, apple dumplings, apple crisp, apple cheesecake bars and of course this new Apple Turnovers recipe!
HOW TO MAKE Apple Turnovers VIDEo
Why You Will Love Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
Sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with caramel:ย Nothing beats buttery, flaky Apple Turnovers dusted with cinnamon and turbinado sugar, stuffed with sweet caramelized apples warm right out of the oven โ except perhaps drizzling them with salted caramel!ย The caramel is optional, but oh so fabulous, ready in less than 10 minutes โ and make ahead friendly!
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Quick prep time:ย By using store-bought puff pastry, these Apple Turnovers are one of the quickest pastries around!
Make ahead friendly:ย ย You can completely assemble and freeze the apple pastries unbaked for a last-minute dessert.ย Now, youโre just a bake and drizzle away from dessert!
The perfect texture:ย The apples are sautรฉed until tender with a little cornstarch which prevents the filling from leaking, and the turnovers are brushed with an egg/heavy cream wash that helps them bake up light, flaky, and delicious.
Serve these turnovers any time, anywhere:ย Serve these turnovers for breakfast, a snack, dessert or special occasions anywhere because theyโre perfectly portable hand-held treats you can enjoy on the go.ย ย
Bonus: Your kitchen will smell like heaven.ย The sweet, warm apples spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla fill your home with their tantalizing aroma as they bake.
Ingredients for Apple Turnovers
Tart Granny smith apples are sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg before being enveloped in puff pastry squares โ your guests will never believe these semi-homemade turnovers were ready in less than an hour! Hereโs what youโll need to make this Apple Turnovers recipe (full measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
TURNOVER GLAZE (OPTIONAL)
What to Serve with Apple Turnover Recipeย
Drizzle the Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers with vanilla glaze OR for the BEST recipe ever, drizzle them with caramel – or both!
My homemade caramel recipe is:
-Rich, creamy and buttery
-Fool proof
-Ready in less than 10 minutes
-Lick-the-spoon delicious!
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The caramel sauce is made with pantry friendly ingredients of butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla and either evaporated milk or use the heavy cream you have on hand for the egg wash.ย Combine the ingredients, bring to a simmer, and drizzle!ย ย You can read all about the wickedly delicious details in this post.
how to quickly chop apples for turnovers
Have you been slicing/chopping apples the easy or hard way for apple filling/crisp/crumbles?ย The most efficient way is to:
1. Peel the apples
2. Make 4 slices around the core to remove it
3. Lay your 4 remaining apple segments, cut side down, on a cutting board
4. Slice into 1/3-inch slices, rotate 90 degrees, then slice the other direction to create 1/3-inch cubes.
how to make apple turnvoers
Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers are as simple as whipping up a quick pie filling and then stuffing it into puff pastry squares. The prep time takes all of 30 minutes (plus a little chilling time), and then youโll be enjoying warm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger laced apple pastries straight from the oven! Here’s an overview of how to make this Apple Turnover recipe with step-by-step photos (see printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for full recipe):
Step 1: Make the Apple Turnover Filling
- Add all the apple filling ingredients except the vanilla to some melted butter in a saucepan.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 5 minutes. Lastly, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Transfer to a bowl, then refrigerate to chill for about 20 minutes.
Step 2: Prep the Puff Pastry
- Be sure to work with one puff pastry sheet at a time (two usually come in a pack). The puff pastry needs to stay as cold as possible!
- Dust a parchment lined counter with flour. Roll one puff pastry out into approximately an 11-inch square. Depending on the length and shape of your puff pastry, you may need to slice some off of the width to add to the length/height.
- Cut the now squared puff pastry into 4 equal squares.
Step 3: Assemble the Turnovers
- Add apples: Spoon some of the apple filling into each puff pastry square using a slotted spoon. Youโll want to pretend like thereโs a diagonal line running across each square. Fill only half of each square, on the diagonal. Be sure to leave a border so the turnovers can easily seal.
- Fold and crimp: Fold the pastry across diagonally to form triangles. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Egg wash: Transfer the turnovers to a silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined baking tray, leaving at least an inch between each one. Beat an egg and some heavy cream together to prepare an egg wash. Brush the top of each turnover with egg wash.
- Sprinkle and slit: Sprinkle the apple turnovers with turbinado sugar and cinnamon, then cut 2 to 3 small slits in the top of each turnover so it can vent while baking.
Step 4: Bake the Turnovers
- Bake until golden and puffed.
Step 5: Make the Glaze
- While the apple turnovers bake, whisk together the powdered sugar glaze or make the caramel sauce.
- Drizzle the warm turnovers with glaze or caramel and dig in!
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Can Turnovers be Made in Advance?
You can prepare the apple filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until youโre ready to assemble and bake the turnovers.ย ย You may assemble the turnovers completely and freeze (see how below).ย Do not refrigerate unbaked turnovers because they will become soggy.
How should I store apple turnovers?
Apple Turnovers are best enjoyed the day they are made.ย If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can Apple Turnovers be frozen?
Absolutely!ย Apple Turnovers can be frozen baked or unbaked.ย If making specifically to enjoy later, then freeze unbaked. Hereโs how:
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To freeze unbaked:ย ย Assemble the turnovers through crimping the edges (donโt add the egg wash). Line the pastries on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching and flash freeze until the pastries are solid, about 1-2 hours.ย Transfer the turnovers to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, arrange them frozen on aย baking sheetย (do not thaw), brush with egg wash, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until puffy and golden.
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To freeze leftovers: Let the turnovers cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the pastries are solid. Transfer the turnovers to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight and reheat as desired.ย
HOW TO REHEAT apple turnovers?
You can reheat leftovers in an oven, toaster oven or air fryer, or even microwave for a few seconds. To reheat in the oven, bake at 375 degrees F, for 5-10 minutes. I recommend holding off on the glaze if you know you are going to be reheating leftovers because it can melt off.ย
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Apple Turnover FAQs
Turnovers are much like an individual hand pie, made of flaky pastry, usually puff pastry, that is filled with a sweet or savory filling and baked or fried. They get their name because the pastry is folded over in half or โturned overโ the filling and sealed shut by crimping the edges closed before baking.ย
Examples of savory turnovers include the empanada from South and Central America that may be filled with chopped meats, vegetables,ย olives, etc. or the Russianย pirozhki that may be filled with meat,ย fish,ย cabbage,ย mushrooms, orย cheese. Examples of sweet turnovers include apple turnovers filled with apple pie filling or berry turnovers filled with mixed berries such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.ย Sweet turnovers are often drizzled with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar, vanilla and milk.
Thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or pop it in the fridge overnight so itโs ready to use the next morning.ย
You should not have any leaking filling if you follow this recipe.ย To prevent a leaky filling make sure to:
1. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the apple filling to the pastry โ we donโt want those extra juices!
2. Crimp all along the edges of the pastry where the two sides meet with a fork.
3. Donโt skip the egg wash as it helps seal the pastry.
4. Refrigerate turnovers for 20 minutes before baking.
Yes, you are welcome to use my homemade pie crust instead which is buttery, flaky and tender, but it wonโt get as puffy.ย Be prepared for the turnovers to bake closer to 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.
Yes, absolutely. Make the filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
Granny Smith apples are a sturdy baking apple that will bake up beautifully tender and not turn to applesauce. More importantly, Granny Smith apples are slightly tart which perfectly offsets the sweetness in the filling and glaze.
While many apples will work in Apple Turnovers (although Granny Smith are easily the best choice!), some will NOT. Avoid these: McIntosh, Gala, Fuji or Red Delicious. These apples are a little too soft or just too bland. Golden delicious also can break down too much.
Yes, please do! If you donโt peel your apples first, youโre left with an unpleasant tough texture as the skin doesnโt break down enough when baked.
Yes, you will need to cook the apple filling first because the Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers bake quickly and there is not enough time for uncooked apples to become tender.ย Cooking the apples first also releases their moisture and prevents soggy or leaky turnovers.
Apple Turnovers are best enjoyed the first day they are made to prevent them from becoming soggy.ย Also, be sure to use a slotted spoon to add the apple filling and bake them either 20 minutes after chilling or immediately after being assembled.
Yes, you can make gluten free Apple Turnover recipe by using gluten gluten free puff pastry or pie crust, and dusting your work surface with gluten free flour.ย The rest of the ingredients are gluten free.
Apple Turnovers do not need to be refrigerated and can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days.ย If you want them to last longer, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.ย
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Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions (13-17 ounces, weight differs between brands)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 egg + 1 Tbsp heavy cream or milk for egg wash
- turbinado or regular sugar for sprinkling
- cinnamon for sprinkling
Filling
- 1 1/4 lbs. (20 ounces) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 1/3" thick pieces
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or salted and omit salt below)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional or add more apples)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp EACH ground ginger, ground nutmeg, salt
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Glaze AND/OR Use Homemade Caramel (see below)
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR SERVING (Optional)
- 1 recipe Caramel Sauce <<click for recipe
- vanilla ice cream
Instructions
PREP
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a counter with parchment paper and lightly dust with flour. Line two bakingย sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats (these are the exact ones I use); set aside.
APPLE FILLING
- Whisk the cornstarch with the lemon juice; set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add all the apple filling ingredients except the vanilla (lemon juice through salt) and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 5 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer to a bowl, then refrigerate to chill, at least 20 minutes.
DOUGH
- Working with one pastry sheet at a time (keep the other sheet refrigerated), transfer the thawed pastry to the parchment lined counter. Shape into an 11" square. Depending on the length of your puff pastry, you'll likely need to slice some off of the length and to the width (discard leftovers).
- Using a pizza cutter, cut into 4 equal-sized squares.
ASSEMBLE
- Imagine a diagonal line running across each square. Using a slotted spoon, fill only half of each square, on the diagonal with ยผ cup of the cooled apple mixture. Be sure to leave at least a 1/2" border. See photos or watch video for visuals.ย
- Fold the pastry across diagonally to form triangles. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer the turnovers to a lined baking sheet, at least 1" apart.
- Thoroughly beat the egg and cream together to make the egg wash. Lightly brush the top of each turnover with the egg wash. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and cinnamon. With a paring knife, cut 2-3 small slits in the top of each turnover.
BAKE
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden and puffed. Meanwhile, make the second batch. If you're done assembling the second batch before the first batch is out of the oven, then pop the unbaked turnovers in the refrigerator. While the second batch is in the oven, make the Caramel Sauce (click here for recipe) or the Glaze.
GLAZE
- To make the Glaze, whisk together the glaze ingredients, adding additional cream as needed to thin. Drizzle either Caramel or Glaze over warmed turnovers and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Puff pastry: ย ย You will need two sheets of puff pastry for this recipe, which usually come two sheets per package (double check packaging).ย Puff pastry can be found in the freezer aisle or the refrigerated section of your grocery store depending on which brand you use. I used refrigerated Jus-rol Puff Pastry which does not need to be thawed prior to using.ย If your puff pastry comes frozen, however, be sure to thaw in the fridge for about 2 hours before beginning the recipe.ย
- Turbinado sugar: This is partially refined light brown cane sugar with larger crystals. ย The natural molasses in the crystals produces a delicious taste, hearty texture and natural golden color.
- Keep the pastry cold. Remove the puff pastry one sheet at a time only when ready to use. You want the puff pastry to stay cold as long as possible, otherwise it wonโt puff up as much.ย
- Make ahead: You can prepare the apple filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until youโre ready to assemble and bake the turnovers.ย ย You may assemble the turnovers completely and freeze (see how below).ย Do not refrigerate unbaked turnovers longer than 20 minutes because they will become soggy.
- Storage: Apple Turnovers taste best on the same day they are made although you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To freeze unbaked: Assemble the turnovers through crimping the edges (donโt add the egg wash). Line the pastries on a baking sheet so they aren’t touching and flash freeze until the pastries are solid, about 1-2 hours.ย Transfer the turnovers to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, arrange them frozen on aย baking sheetย (do not thaw), brush with egg wash, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until puffy and golden.
- To freeze leftovers: Let the turnovers cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the pastries are solid. Transfer the turnovers to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight and reheat as desired.ย
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Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
Shae Law says
I made these for Mother’s Day and they were a HUGE hit! I honestly don’t care for baked fruit, but I could not resist! They were devoured by the family crazy fast!
Jen says
Yay! I am thrilled these were such a hit, Shae! Thank you for taking the time to comment!