Easy apple turnovers are golden, flaky pastry pockets filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. They have all the comfort of apple pie in a handheld, individual treat that is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
This easy apple turnovers recipe uses store-bought puff pastry, so the hardest part is already done. You cook a quick apple filling on the stove, spoon it onto pastry squares, fold, seal, and bake. The pastry puffs into dozens of buttery, crisp layers in just 20 minutes.
These turnovers are great for fall brunch, bake sales, holiday dessert tables, and after-school snacks. The filling can be made ahead, and the turnovers can be assembled and frozen unbaked, so a warm, fresh dessert is always within reach.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 9 turnovers
Category: Dessert / Pastry
Why You’ll Love These Easy Apple Turnovers
- Shatteringly flaky, buttery puff pastry
- Warm cinnamon apple filling
- Only about 45 minutes from start to finish
- Easy to make ahead and freeze
- A simple, impressive fall dessert
Ingredients You’ll Need for Easy Apple Turnovers
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 3 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and diced small
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
- For the glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
How to Make Easy Apple Turnovers
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the apples are just tender but still hold their shape.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook 1 minute until thick, then cool the filling completely.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each puff pastry sheet slightly on a floured surface and cut each into 4 or 5 squares, about 4 inches wide.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of cooled filling onto one half of each square, leaving a border.
- Brush the edges with egg wash, fold the pastry over to form a triangle or rectangle, and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Place the turnovers on the baking sheet, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and cut 2 small slits in the tops.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until puffed and deep golden brown.
- Cool 10 minutes, then whisk the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the turnovers.
Tips for the Best Easy Apple Turnovers
- Cool the filling completely. Warm filling melts the butter in the pastry and keeps it from puffing.
- Dice the apples small so the filling cooks evenly and fits in the pastry without poking through.
- Don’t overfill the turnovers. About 2 tablespoons is enough, and extra filling bursts out the sides.
- Seal the edges firmly with a fork and cut vents on top so steam can escape.
- Keep the pastry cold. If it gets soft while you work, pop the filled turnovers in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking.
Variations to Try
- Add a thin slice of cheddar cheese to each turnover
- Use pears or peaches instead of apples
- Mix in a handful of dried cranberries or raisins
- Brush with caramel sauce instead of vanilla glaze
- Use a mini muffin tin to make bite-size apple pie bites
How to Store It
Store the turnovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refresh them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to re-crisp the pastry.
To freeze, assemble the unbaked turnovers, freeze on a tray, and store in a bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F, adding 5 to 8 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned apple pie filling?
Yes. Chop the apples in the pie filling into small pieces and use it as a shortcut, though homemade filling tastes fresher.
Why did my turnovers leak?
They were probably overfilled or not sealed tightly. Use about 2 tablespoons of filling, crimp the edges well, and cut vents on top.
Can I make apple turnovers ahead of time?
Yes. Make the filling up to 3 days ahead, or freeze the assembled turnovers and bake them when needed.
What apples are best for turnovers?
Firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn hold their shape and give the best balance of sweet and tart.
Easy Apple Turnovers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the apples with the butter, sugar, spices, and lemon juice for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Thicken with the cornstarch mixture and cool completely.
- Tip: Warm filling ruins the pastry layers.
- Cut the pastry into squares, fill, fold, and seal with a fork.
- Brush with egg wash, add coarse sugar, and cut two slits.
- Bake at 400°F for 18 to 22 minutes until golden.
- Cool 10 minutes and drizzle with the glaze.
Notes
Use firm baking apples.