If you have a few leftover apples sitting on the counter, these easy Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry are one of the tastiest ways to use them up. Flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around a warm cinnamon apple filling tastes just like something you'd pick up at a bakery, but they're surprisingly simple to make at home.
Love apple recipes? Try my apple bread, apple crisp, and apple galette.
Leftover Apple Turnovers
I love making these when I want a cozy dessert without the fuss of baking an entire pie. They're perfect for an afternoon treat, holiday brunch, or whenever those extra apples need a delicious new purpose.
🛒Ingredients
- Puff pastry – I use 1 pound (2 sheets), thawed. Look for it in the freezer aisle near pie crusts. It bakes up golden and flaky without any effort.
- All-purpose flour – Just for dusting the surface so your pastry doesn’t stick when rolling it out.
- Granny Smith apples – I love their tartness and firm texture. Peel and dice 3 medium apples.
- Unsalted butter – Just a little helps soften and caramelize the apples.
- Brown sugar – Adds a deep sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon – A must for cozy apple desserts. Feel free to use apple pie spice if you prefer.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness just right.
- Egg + water – Whisk together for a simple egg wash to seal the turnovers and make them golden and shiny.
- Powdered sugar – For the glaze. It melts into a smooth finish over the warm turnovers.
- Heavy cream or lemon juice – Use cream for richness or lemon juice for a little tang in your glaze.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥣How To Make Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
- Prep oven and filling: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples and cook 5 minutes.
- Add flavor: Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer on low 3 minutes until apples are soft and caramelized. Let cool.
- Roll and cut pastry: Roll out one sheet of puff pastry into an 11" square. Cut into 4 squares using a pizza cutter.
- Fill and fold: Spoon apple mixture onto half of each square, leaving a ½-inch border. Brush edges with egg wash. Fold into triangles and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Chill and prep: Place assembled turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- Bake: Cut small slits in the top of each turnover. Brush tops with egg wash and bake 20–22 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Glaze: While warm, whisk powdered sugar with cream or lemon juice and drizzle over turnovers.
Why Did My Turnovers Leak?
It happens! Make sure to seal tightly, don’t overfill, and chill before baking.
📋Tips
- Refrigerate before baking – Keeps the pastry firm and reduces filling leaks.
- Seal well – Use egg wash and crimp tightly with a fork to avoid messy leaks.
- Use other apples – If using sweeter apples, reduce the sugar a bit.
- Add nuts – Chopped pecans or walnuts in the filling add crunch.
- Switch the glaze – Try maple syrup or vanilla in the glaze for a flavor twist.
- Make ahead – Assemble turnovers and freeze unbaked. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 25 minutes.
- Make mini versions – Cut pastry into smaller squares for bite-sized treats.
- Skip the glaze – They’re still tasty with just a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Use pie spice – Replace cinnamon with apple pie spice for a deeper flavor.
- Try a fruit mix – Add berries or pears to the apples for a fun twist.
👨🍳 Equipment Needed to Make Banana Poppy Seed Cake
🍱Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 1 day, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Freeze-assembled but unbaked turnovers. Store in a freezer bag for up to 6 months.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes until crisp again.
- To Make Ahead. Assemble, chill, and bake within 24 hours or freeze for later.
What To Serve With Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
These are a treat all on their own, but here are a few ways to serve them:
- Caramel drizzle – Extra indulgent!
- Coffee or tea
- Vanilla ice cream – Classic combo for dessert lovers.
- Whipped cream – Light and fluffy topping option.
Fun Variations to Try
- Nutty apple turnovers - add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for extra crunch.
- Maple glazed turnovers - swap the powdered sugar glaze for a simple maple glaze.
- Mixed apple filling - use a mix of Granny Smith and a sweeter apple like Honeycrisp for more complex flavor.
More Fruity Dessert Recipes
📖Recipe
Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
Easy Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry—flaky crust, warm cinnamon-apple filling, and sweet glaze. A cozy bakery-style dessert ready in 35 minutes!
Ingredients
Apple Turnover Ingredients
- 1 pounds puff pastry, (2 sheets) thawed according to package instructions
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 ¼ pounds Granny Smith apples, (3 medium) peeled, cored, and diced into ⅓" thick pieces
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg+ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
For the Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon lemon juice, or heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Prep oven and filling: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples and cook 5 minutes.1 ¼ pounds Granny Smith apples, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Add flavor: Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer on low 3 minutes until apples are soft and caramelized. Let cool.
- Roll and cut pastry: Roll out one sheet of puff pastry into an 11" square. Cut into 4 squares using a pizza cutter.1 pounds puff pastry, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Fill and fold: Spoon apple mixture onto half of each square, leaving a ½-inch border. Brush edges with egg wash. Fold into triangles and crimp with a fork to seal.1 egg+ 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
- Chill and prep: Place assembled turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- Bake: Cut small slits in the top of each turnover. Brush tops with egg wash and bake 20–22 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Glaze: While warm, whisk powdered sugar with cream or lemon juice and drizzle over turnovers.½ cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoon lemon juice
Nutrition
Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 181mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 2mg
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Before You Go
If this recipe made its way to your dinner table, I'd love to hear what you thought! Leaving a ★★★★★ rating and review below helps other readers and supports the work I do here at Cookrita. Thank you so much for being here. ❤️
This recipe was adapted from Natasha's Kitchen.
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-made apple pie filling?
YES, but the texture and flavor will be softer and sweeter. Homemade is best if you can!
Can I make these with other fruits?
Absolutely. Try peaches, pears, or mixed berries.
Can I skip the glaze?
YES. They’re still delicious with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
Is lemon juice better than cream in the glaze?
It depends! Lemon adds tang and brightness, while cream makes it richer.
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