Homemade Apple Turnovers are puff pastry desserts stuffed with a gooey, cinnamony apple filling that tastes like apple pie. The apple turnover looks intricate but takes only a few steps and ingredients to make. Watch the video tutorial and I’ll prove just how easy these are.
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Apple Turnover Recipe
If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you’ll know how much I love apple recipes like Baked Apples and Sharlotka Apple Cake. This apple turnover recipe is another of my favorites since it’s so simple and the filling tastes just like my Apple Pie. This is one of the easiest apple desserts and can even be made ahead and frozen using store-bought puff pastry.
This Apple Turnover doesn’t get any easier, but they are perfect for whenever you want something sweet, but not too much mess since they are single-serve. We usually serve them for dessert, but I’ve also been known to serve apple turnovers with breakfast and also as a snack during the day!
Watch How to Make Apple Turnovers
Homemade apple turnovers are easier than you think. Watch the video and you will be a pro in no time! We always keep a package of frozen puff pastry on hand for when the craving strikes.
What is an Apple Turnover?
Turnovers are made by filling pastry dough (usually puff pastry) with a sweet or savory filling, sealing the edges, and baking. It becomes a portable dessert (like hand pies), or a type of baked sandwich with a savory filling. Biting into an apple-filled pastry on the go is a real treat.
Ingredients for Apple Turnovers
You’ll need apples, butter, eggs, and a few pantry staples for the filling, and then it’s simple to stuff, fold, and bake the desserts since we make these apple turnovers with puff pastry from the grocery store. The pastry itself isn’t sweet, so we drizzle a sweet glaze over the top that makes these bakery-quality apple turnovers irresistibly good.
- Apples – peeled and diced. We use Granny Smith apples for the crisp texture and flavor, but you can use nearly any apple variety. Try mixing and matching, but be sure to adjust the sugar for sweeter apples (Pink Lady or Honeycrisp)
- Filling ingredients – flour (for dusting the prep surface), butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and eggs (and 1 Tbsp of water for eggs wash)
- Puff Pastry – you can find these in the frozen section of the grocery store near the pie crusts. Thaw according to the package directions.
- Glaze ingredients – confectioners (powdered) sugar, heavy whipping cream
How to Make Apple Turnovers
This apple turnover recipe is so simple to make and creates such a fancy take on apple pie. Watch the video tutorial above for the full tutorial and you will be making apple turnovers like a pro in no time!
- Thaw the puff pastry according to the directions on the box. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400˚F.
- Heat the butter and diced apple in a pot until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, stirring to combine. Remove from heat once thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Roll the puff pastry sheet out to about 11″ with a rolling pin, and cut into 4 squares with a knife or pizza cutter. Then place a spoonful of the apple filling onto one-half of the square, leaving a 1/2″ border.
- Beat the egg and 1 Tbsp of water in a small dish. Brush just enough egg wash over the 1/2″ border to keep the dough sealed. Then fold the dough over the filling to touch the opposite corner to create a triangle and crimp along the edges with a fork to seal.
- Transfer the folded pockets one inch apart onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cut 2 or 3 small slits in the top of the dough for steam to escape. Optionally, you can refrigerate the turnovers now uncovered for 20 minutes to reduce the chance of leaking. When ready to bake, brush the top of the pockets with egg wash and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Whisk the powdered sugar and cream together, and then when the turnovers are still warm, drizzle glaze over the top.
How to Keep Apple Turnover Filling from Leaking?
No matter how well you crimp the edges, there will always be at least one turnover that leaks juices out of the edge and that is normal. A few things that help reduce leaks:
- Use Egg Wash to help keep the dry pastry together
- Crimp Tightly all along the edge where the two sheets come together
- Refrigerate turnovers for 20 minutes before baking
Can you Freeze Apple Turnovers Before Baking?
After the pies are fully assembled but not baked (before brushing the tops with eggwash), freeze them flat on a lined baking sheet then transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. When ready to bake, arrange them frozen on a baking sheet (do not thaw), brush with some egg wash, and bake at 400˚F for 23-25 minutes.
Storing Leftovers
Store each cooled apple turnover on the counter overnight, but then store refrigerated for longer. If you want to freeze the baked pastry, it’s best to do it before adding the icing.
- To Refrigerate: cool and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: cool and freeze on a baking sheet. Then transfer to an airtight container.
- To Reheat: thaw in the fridge or on the counter.
Try this simple and delicious recipe for apple turnovers and you’ll be amazed how easily they come together, but how gourmet they look and taste! The flakey puff pastry perfectly compliments the gooey apple pie filling. You’ll be hooked!
What Can You Do with Lots of Apples?
If you have tons of apples in Autumn, try these delicious apple turnovers, and then you can put them to great use by making our easy homemade Applesauce or baking up these memorable apple desserts:
- Sauteed Cinnamon Apples
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Bread
- Dutch Apple Pie
- Caramel Apples
- Apple Rice Pudding
- Apple Cider
- Apple Pancakes
Apple Turnover Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Turnover Ingredients:
- 1 lb puff pastry, (2 sheets) thawed according to package instructions
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 1/4 lb Granny Smith apples, (3 medium) peeled, cored, and diced into 1/3" thick pieces
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 egg+ 1 Tbsp water for egg wash
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 400˚F. Remove puff pastry from the freezer and thaw according to instructions while making and cooling the apple filling.
- In a medium pot, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add diced apples and cook, stirring occasionally until softened (5 min).
- Reduce heat to low and stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and salt. Continue to simmer 3 minutes until apples are soft and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the first sheet of thawed pastry to an 11" square. With a pizza cutter, cut into 4 equal-sized squares. Place cooled apple mixture over half of each square, leaving at least a 1/2" border.
- Thoroughly Beat together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water. Brush eggwash lightly on edges of the pastry (just enough to seal), bring the edges together and crimp tightly along the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the second sheet of puff pastry to make 8 turnovers.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them at least 1" apart. With a paring knife, cut 2-3 small slits in the top of each turnover.* Brush the tops with egg wash and bake 20-23 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- While turnovers are still warm, stir together powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream (adding to your desired consistency) and drizzle glaze over turnovers.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Delicious and very easy to make.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Kami!
Absolutely delicious! These are my husbands new favorite dessert! Was wondering if you had a tip on reheating? Some friends want me to make them some but won’t enjoy them right away. Could they be heated up in the oven?
Hi Hannah, you can serve them at room temperature the next day but you can also heat them for 15 seconds at a time in the microwave until they reach your desired doneness (or in a toaster oven if you prefer not to microwave), but in either case, heat just until warm. Pastries tend to warm up quickly.
Amazing!! Saw these and HAD to make them! They made my day and now are our family favorite go to for an apple sweet treat! Thank you so much for this recipe!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I made but my apples turned watery
Hi Ghousia, I’m more than happy to troubleshoot, was anything altered in the recipe?
lovely iwish there was a video to make it easier but very nice treat by the way.THANK YOU NATASHA
Hi Diamond, this recipe does have a video. You can scroll down on the recipe or find it here. I hope that helps.
Hi Natasha, I was just wondering how well the vidalia chop wizard works. I purchased a different knid a few months ago and it broke the 3 time I used it.
Hi Maryann, I have had mine for years and use it often without any issues. If you purchase it on Amazon here.
Thank You I will !!!
Hi Natasha, I did buy the chopper and I love it !!!!!! Made the turnovers today and they look amazing…going to taste one in a bit. Thank You for the recipe!!!!
That’s fantastic! I’m glad that the result looked amazing.
I love the chopper and made the turnovers!!! A Big Hit. Should I refrigerate letfovers or room temp.?
Hi Maryann, you can cover the leftovers loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Apple pie will keep for an additional 2-3 days in the refrigerator, loosely covered with foil or plastic wrap.
Thank you so much for this perfect recipe ,I made it today and every one was amazed by the look and the taste They asked for the recipe
I took some picture showed them to daughter she asked for the recipe Too
By the way I love your personality , friendly and nice
Wow that is so awesome! I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing that with us and for the great review.
Great recipe. Made these today. My kids and hubby enjoyed them. I usually don’t like apple pie. It’s too much apple filling for me. But these turnovers were perfect. I am a fan.
That is the best when the entire family loved the meal! That’s so great!
Hi,just wanted to know about the dicer you used in the video,and where to purchase one.Thanks,look forward to your reply
Hi Tia, we have the chopper we use in our SHOP & HERE. I hope that helps.
Could you use half and half instead of heavy whipping cream?
Hi Madeline, to be honest, I can’t say for sure that would work since heavy whipping cream is more creamy and stable but I imagine it will be more runny with half and half. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Wowie Zowie what a delicious and easy Apple Turnover Recipe. Thanks for sharing Natasha and your video was very informative. I bought the gizmo that cubed the apples ….. what a breeze! Thanks for the tip….. I’m a happy cooker!
You’re welcome, Lorraine! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi, I’m a new fan of your recipes so I haven’t tried any yet. I can’t wait to try almost everyone. Thanks so much for sharing.
You’re welcome, Donna! Thank you for sharing that with me!
I made these last night and they are MARVELOUS! I added walnuts and made them smaller… YUMMY!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Really beautiful… My four children went nuts for these, and had seconds. Forgot to add the icing, but didn’t really matter, because they were delicious just like that! Thank you for another great recipe
I’m so glad you liked that, Irene! Thank you for the wonderful feedback!
Super easy and super delicious! I substituted regular brown sugar for Splenda brown sugar blend and regular powdered sugar with a sweetener powdered sugar. I’m trying to maintain my new weight loss. Even with the substitutes, they came out wonderful. Thank you for such a great (and easy) recipe!
So great to hear that it worked great with the substitutes. Thanks for your excellent feedback!
I want to freeze these, do I fold them over with the apple filling inside and then freeze ?
Hi Mary, we have this note in the recipe for you “After the pies are fully assembled (before brushing tops with eggwash), freeze them flat on a lined baking sheet then transfer to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. When ready to bake, arrange them frozen on a baking sheet (do not thaw), brush with some egg wash and bake at 400˚F for 23-25 minutes.” I hope that helps.
Very good, I just used a bit more apples because I don’t like pastry with too little filling. And I used more glaze cause I love sugary desserts. I managed a bakery for a few years and these were pretty much what I baked there.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Alaina! Thank you for that awesome review!
I loved this recipe and am so glad I found your website and recipes/videos. There are several I want to try. I really enjoyed these turnovers. I have never cooked with puff pastry before but your video and recipe made it easy to understand. So thank you! (I did add a 1 Tb. of flour to the apples to make the filling a little thicker). The only thing is that it took me close to 2 hrs from start to finish- the filling took quite a long time to cool down enough to use and the puff pastry didn’t thaw as fast as anticipated, so there was a lot of waiting time. (Includes the 20 minutes they were in the fridge and 20 mins plus cooking time.) I was wondering, to speed up the process, can you just make the filling the night before and let it cool over night in the fridge? Along with the puff pastry thawing overnight in the fridge, so that it can be quickly assembled the next day? I have a family get together over the holidays and would love to make these for them, but would like it to it be a little quicker next time. I would love to try a chocolate filling next time as well. If you have ever made chocolate it would be fun to see how!
Hi Rachel! I’m so glad to hear you’re loving this recipe! To plan ahead and make this process fast that should work. I haven’t tested that myself to advise but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
These turnovers look delicious. Definitely going to try! Love your recipes and videos. Good work, Natasha!
Thank you, Savita! I’m so happy to hear you’re liking our recipes!
What can replace the whipping cream with?
Hi Jenny, this will affect the creaminess and flavor but mixing powdered sugar with a little bit of lemon juice may work.
Where can I get the product you used for chopping apples. I made them today,absolutely delicious,I would a little more filling maybe four lg. Thank you love your site
Hi Cheryl, you can find this Vidalia Chopper in our shop here.