Learn how to make homemade Apple Turnovers with puff pastry and apple pie filling to enjoy as a flaky fall treat. Recipe makes 4 apple pie turnovers but can easily be doubled.


Close up of apple turnover cut in half


Dear Pie Crust,

It took years for me to love you. Your flaky, buttery crust fresh from the oven.

Everybody raves about you no matter the filling – German chocolate pecan pie and pumpkin pie when the leaves are falling.

Hearty stick-to-your-ribs chicken pot pie for two when it’s too cold to venture outside.

Mini Cherry Pies when the sun is shining.

You can be quite finicky when you want to be. Too warm and you won’t roll out into a perfect circle to line my pie plate. Too cold and you simply won’t budge.

Don’t think I have to love you because you are my only option. I have found a new lover – puff pastry.

It knows how to cheer me up when you fail me. That flaky crust. That puffiness. That crunch when you bake it.

I mean, look at these Apple Turnovers with puff pastry. They puff up more than you ever would, pie crust.

Then when you take that first bite, that flaky crunch is met with the sweet taste of homemade apple pie filling.

Oh pie crust, do you realize how much easier it is to work with puff pastry?

When I took it out of the box, it was already a rectangle. Do you know how hard it is to roll you out into a shape with straight edges?

All I had to do was roll it a few inches to make it a 12×12 square then cut into four equal pieces. The perfect size for small batch apple turnovers.

Puff pastry made it so easy to fill and fold into triangles. Do you know how hard it is to fold a deformed square into a triangle?

Don’t worry pie crust – your day will come. Just not today.

Today it’s all about these Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers – perfect for breakfast, brunch, and dessert.


Apple turnover on a plate

What are apple turnovers?

A turnover is a pastry where you add either a sweet or savory filling to the middle of your dough, fold the dough over to seal it, then baked until golden brown.

The dough used is often pie crust or puff pastry.


Single puff pastry apple turnover on a clear plate

Ingredients for Apple Turnovers

To make this apple turnovers recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Puff pastry: Not to be confused with phyllo dough, puff pastry can be found in the frozen section near frozen pie crust. You can also try your hand at making homemade puff pastry from Baking A Moment.
  • Apple pie filling: I always opt for homemade filling for apple turnovers, but you can also use canned.
  • Egg: Brushing your turnovers with an egg wash before baking helps make them golden brown. It also ensures the cinnamon sugar sticks to the outside.
  • Cinnamon sugar: Apple pie always taste better with cinnamon and sugar.
  • Vanilla glaze: Trust me – you don’t want to skip out on this touch of sweetness!

Can you substitute other fruit for the apple?

Yes, you can use other fruit for the filling, such as cherry pie filling or blueberry pie filling to make berry turnovers or peach pie filling to make peach turnovers.

I even used banana and Nutella once. Spread about 2 tablespoons Nutella in the center, top with a few slices of bananas, and voila!


Basket of Apple Turnovers

How To Make Apple Turnovers

To make puff pastry apple turnovers, follow these easy instructions:

  1. Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12×12 square then cut into 4 equal squares.
  2. Brush the edge of one square with some of the egg wash then add 2 tablespoons pie filling to the middle.
  3. Take one corner and fold it diagonally to the other corner, forming a triangle. Press the edges together to seal then place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining squares.
  4. Cut 3 slits into each turnover to allow steam to escape.
  5. Brush with the beaten egg for an egg wash then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  6. Bake at 400F for 18-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Close up of apple turnovers cut in half


Cool completely before drizzling with glaze.

How To Make Apple Turnover Glaze

Once your apple turnovers with puff pastry are completely cool, it’s time to make your apple turnover glaze.

It’s similar to my Bundt cake glaze but you don’t need the butter.

  1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. If it’s too thick, add a touch more milk. If it’s too thin, add a little more sugar.
  2. Drizzle over your apple pie turnovers then let harden before serving.

Close up of apple turnover cut in half

How To Store Apple Turnovers

Due to the nature of puff pastry, homemade apple turnovers with puff pastry are best eaten the same day. However, you can store extras in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

How To Freeze Apple Turnovers

Not going to eat all of your apple turnovers at once? Great news – you can freeze them!

There are three ways you can freeze apple turnovers:

  1. Assemble your turnovers but before brushing with an egg wash.
  2. After fully baking but before adding the glaze.
  3. After glazing the turnovers (although the glaze may become a bit sticky after thawing from the excess moisture).

Whichever one you choose, the method is the same. Place your apple turnovers on a tray or plate in a single layer.

Freeze for about 1 hour or until firm. This ensures the turnovers won’t stick to each other.

Transfer to a freezer-safe plastic bag then freeze for up to 2 months.

When ready to serve, thaw your apple turnovers in the fridge overnight.

Apple Turnovers FAQ

Can you use canned apple pie filling for apple pie turnovers?

Yes, you can easily use canned apple filling instead of homemade. When you’re done, check out the rest of my recipes using apple pie filling

How do you keep turnover filling from leaking?

Using the egg wash when folding helps keep the dough together. Make sure you’re sealing it tight all around with your fingers. You can even crimp the edges with a fork, not only for a pretty design but also extra security.

Can I use pie dough instead of puff pastry?

Yes, you can substitute pie crust. The method remains the same.

Can you double this recipe?

Yes, you can easily double the ingredients and use both puff pastry sheets in the box.

What’s the best way to serve turnovers?

Although apple turnovers are buttery and flaky on their own, you can take them up a notch with vanilla bean ice cream or homemade whipped cream.

More Apple Pie Recipes

Want more? Check out these other apple pie recipes:

Close up of apple turnover cut in half

Apple Turnovers (With Puff Pastry)

Yield: 4 turnovers
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Learn how to make homemade Apple Turnovers with puff pastry and apple pie filling to enjoy as a flaky fall treat. Recipe makes 4 apple pie turnover

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
  • 1/2 cup apple pie filling (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten with a fork
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons milk, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (or lightly grease cookie sheet if not using parchment).
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 12x12 square. Cut the dough into four equal squares.
  3. Take one square and brush the edges with some of the beaten egg. Place about 2 tablespoons filling into the middle, being careful not to get too close to the edge.
  4. Take one of the corners and fold it diagonally to the other corner, forming a triangle. Press the edges together to seal. Place on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining squares.
  5. Cut 3 slits into each turnover then brush with the beaten egg.
  6. In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and sugar then sprinkle on top of the turnovers.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Let cool completely.
  8. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. If it's too thick, add a touch more milk. If it's too thin, add a little more sugar. Drizzle over cooled turnovers. Let glaze harden before serving.

    Turnovers are best eaten the same day. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Notes

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes

Originally published September 27, 2012