Apple Turnovers Recipe: Craving a sweet, flaky, and fruity pastry that’s ridiculously easy to make? These homemade apple turnovers are just what you need. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything—from ingredients to baking tips. Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a baking pro, you’re going to love how simple and satisfying these are.
What Are Apple Turnovers?
Apple turnovers are a type of hand pie or mini pastry made by wrapping spiced apple filling in a triangle of puff pastry and baking it until golden brown. Think of them as little pockets of apple pie heaven. They’re flaky on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside, and they smell amazing fresh out of the oven. They’re also incredibly versatile—you can drizzle them with glaze, dust them with powdered sugar, or eat them plain. Traditionally enjoyed in many cultures, they’ve become a staple in bakeries and kitchens everywhere thanks to their delicious flavor and easy prep.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Turnovers Recipe
There are tons of reasons to fall in love with this recipe. First, it’s super beginner-friendly—no fancy pastry skills required. Second, it’s fast! Using store-bought puff pastry saves you a lot of time and effort while still giving that impressive bakery-style result. Plus, these turnovers are highly customizable. Want to swap apples for pears or peaches? Go for it. Want to add nuts, caramel, or raisins? No problem. This recipe is your base for creativity. And the best part? You only need a few basic ingredients.
List of Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s get everything lined up before we start baking. Here’s what you need for the classic apple turnover recipe:
For the Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite), peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)
- Pinch of salt
For the Pastry
- 1 package puff pastry (usually comes with 2 sheets), thawed but still cold
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk or water (for egg wash)
For the Glaze (Optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Kitchen Tools Required
Before we dive into the steps, let’s make sure you have the tools you need. Don’t worry—nothing fancy here.
- Sharp knife or apple peeler
- Skillet or saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Fork
- Small bowl for egg wash
- Wire cooling rack (optional but helpful)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Turnovers
Here comes the fun part—let’s start baking! Follow these simple steps for golden, flaky turnovers that taste as good as they look.
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
Start by melting the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once it’s melted, toss in your diced apples. Stir them around for about 2–3 minutes to let them soften. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together and cook for another 5–7 minutes until the apples are tender and syrupy. If the mixture feels too runny, stir in the cornstarch and cook for another minute to thicken it up.
Step 2: Let the Filling Cool
Once your apple filling is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely. This is a super important step! If you place hot filling on cold pastry, it can melt the layers and make the dough soggy. Letting it cool helps you get that perfectly crisp turnover.
Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry Sheets
Take out your puff pastry sheets and gently unfold them on a lightly floured surface. If they’re too stiff, give them 10–15 minutes to soften slightly. Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares. You should end up with 8 total if you’re using two sheets. Don’t worry about perfect shapes—just try to keep the sizes consistent so they bake evenly.
Step 4: Fill and Fold the Turnovers
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apple filling into the center of each square. Don’t overstuff—otherwise, the filling will spill out during baking. Once filled, fold the square diagonally to form a triangle, covering the filling completely.
Step 5: Seal and Crimp the Edges
Use a fork to crimp the edges of each turnover. This helps seal them shut and also gives them that classic turnover look. Be sure the edges are firmly pressed—this keeps all that tasty filling inside during baking.
Step 6: Brush with Egg Wash
Whisk together your egg and milk (or water) in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each turnover with egg wash. This gives them a beautiful golden shine and helps them crisp up nicely in the oven.
Step 7: Bake the Turnovers
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your turnovers on the sheet, making sure there’s space between each one. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the turnovers are puffed and golden brown.
Step 8: Cool and Glaze (Optional)
Once baked, remove the turnovers from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes. If you want to add a glaze, now’s the time! Mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract, then drizzle over the turnovers. Let the glaze set before serving.
Tips for Perfect Apple Turnovers
Let’s be honest—anyone can technically make apple turnovers, but there’s a huge difference between okay turnovers and amazing ones. So how do you level up your baking game? Here are some practical tips that’ll take your apple turnovers from decent to drool-worthy.
- Use the right apples: Not all apples bake the same. Granny Smiths are a classic choice because they hold their shape and provide a nice tart balance to the sweet filling. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji also work well.
- Keep your puff pastry cold: Warm pastry gets sticky and loses its puff. Always work with it when it’s just thawed but still cool. If it gets too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before working with it again.
- Don’t overfill: This is a big one. Too much filling can cause the turnovers to burst open during baking. Stick to about 2 tablespoons per turnover.
- Crimp well: Use a fork to tightly seal the edges. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even go around the edge twice.
- Cut steam vents: Use a knife to gently slice two small slits in the top of each turnover. This lets steam escape so your pastries don’t puff up too much and break apart.
- Rotate your baking sheet: Ovens aren’t always even. Rotate your pan halfway through baking for an even golden crust.
- Cool before glazing: If you’re adding a glaze, wait until the turnovers are no longer hot. A warm turnover is fine, but if it’s too hot, your glaze will melt and run off.
These small details make a big difference and help ensure your turnovers come out golden, flaky, and delicious every time.
Substitutions and Variations
Bored of just apples? Want to make your own twist on this recipe? Here’s the fun part—you can customize apple turnovers in so many ways.
Fruit Variations
- Pears: Swap apples for ripe pears and follow the same filling method.
- Peaches or nectarines: Use in summer for a juicy, sweet twist.
- Berries: Combine blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries with a little sugar and cornstarch.
- Apple + cranberry: A holiday favorite! Tart cranberries add zing.
Flavor Add-ins
- Caramel sauce: Mix a spoonful of thick caramel into the apple filling for that classic caramel-apple combo.
- Raisins or dried cranberries: Add a chewy texture and natural sweetness.
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans add crunch.
Spice Mix-Ups
- Instead of just cinnamon, try:
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Cardamom
- Clove
- Allspice
Dough Alternatives
- While puff pastry is traditional, you can also try:
- Crescent roll dough (for a softer, breadier result)
- Pie crust dough (for a firmer, more traditional pie flavor)
Topping Variations
- Coarse sugar on top before baking for a crunchy texture
- A cinnamon-sugar dusting after baking
- Vanilla glaze, maple glaze, or even chocolate drizzle!
With so many ways to mix things up, you’ll never get bored of making (and eating) these!
Can I Make Apple Turnovers Ahead of Time?
Yes, absolutely! If you’re planning for a brunch, holiday breakfast, or party, apple turnovers can easily be prepped ahead. Here’s how you can do it:
Make Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate unbaked turnovers: Assemble your turnovers and store them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Brush with egg wash just before baking.
- Pre-bake and store: Bake them, cool them completely, and then store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a crisp finish.
The trick is to keep them sealed properly and avoid soggy pastry. If you’re prepping for guests or a holiday morning, make-ahead turnovers are a total life-saver.
How to Store Apple Turnovers
Storing your delicious turnovers the right way keeps them crispy and tasty for days (if they last that long).
Room Temperature
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for 1–2 days.
- Make sure they’re completely cool before storing to avoid sogginess from trapped steam.
Refrigerator
- You can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–8 minutes to re-crisp the crust.
Avoid the Microwave
- It will make the pastry soggy. If you must use it, just know it won’t be as flaky.
How to Freeze Apple Turnovers
Want to stock up for future cravings? Apple turnovers freeze like a dream!
Freezing Unbaked Turnovers
- Assemble the turnovers but don’t add egg wash.
- Place them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid.
- Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- When ready to bake, brush with egg wash and bake from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for 22–26 minutes.
Freezing Baked Turnovers
- Let them cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.
Freezing is perfect for meal prep, busy mornings, or unexpected guests. You’ll always have a tasty treat ready to go!
Serving Suggestions
Apple turnovers are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to dress them up:
- With Ice Cream: A warm turnover and a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Heaven.
- With Whipped Cream: Add some cinnamon or maple syrup to your whipped cream for a fall twist.
- With Coffee or Tea: A cozy snack on a chilly day.
- As Breakfast or Brunch: Pair with scrambled eggs or fruit salad for a complete morning spread.
Turnovers are that perfect mix of flaky, sweet, and comforting—ideal for basically any time of day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple recipes come with a few traps. Here are the most common apple turnover mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Using warm filling: It makes the pastry soggy and hard to work with.
- Overstuffing: Leads to leaking and underbaked centers.
- Not sealing edges well: Causes fillings to ooze out during baking.
- Skipping steam vents: Your turnovers can puff unevenly and crack.
- Underbaking: Make sure that golden brown crust is fully puffed.
- Glazing while hot: Your glaze will melt off—wait until they cool a bit.
Being mindful of these will help you get bakery-quality results, even on your first try.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per turnover)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260–320 kcal |
| Total Fat | 15–20g |
| Saturated Fat | 6–9g |
| Carbohydrates | 30–35g |
| Sugars | 12–18g |
| Protein | 2–4g |
| Fiber | 2–3g |
Note: These values will vary based on ingredients and portion size.
FAQs about Apple Turnovers Recipe
1. Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can! It’s a great time-saver. Just make sure it’s not too runny, or it might seep out of the pastry.
2. Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely. It’s a bit more work but tastes amazing. Store-bought is quicker and still delicious.
3. How do I keep turnovers from leaking in the oven?
Don’t overfill, and crimp the edges tightly with a fork. Also, make sure your filling is cool before assembling.
4. Can I reheat apple turnovers in an air fryer?
Yes! Pop them in at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to bring back the crispiness.
5. Are these apple turnovers vegan?
Not by default, but you can make them vegan by using vegan puff pastry, plant-based butter, and skipping the egg wash or using non-dairy milk instead.
Conclusion
There you have it—a foolproof, step-by-step guide to making the best homemade apple turnovers. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or a group of guests, this recipe never fails to impress. It’s simple, versatile, and absolutely delicious. The golden, flaky crust paired with warm cinnamon-apple filling is just pure comfort food at its finest. Don’t forget to experiment with fillings, add your personal twist, and most importantly—enjoy the process.
Now that you’ve got this down, why not make it a weekend tradition? Once you taste that first bite, it’s hard to stop at just one.
