Store-bought puff pastry serves as a secret and completely acceptable shortcut to make these easy hand pies. Buttery and flaky on the outside, and irresistibly caramely and apple-pie like on the inside, the apple turnover is a fun, old-fashioned pastry to make and serve. Turnovers have had endless variants around the world for centuries, both sweet and savory, from empanadas in Spain, to calzones in Italy, to samosas in India. Their versatility and portability makes them so appealing. I am partial to apple variety of turnovers myself, probably engrained in me since our McDonald’s visits as kids when I always ordered the apple turnover for dessert. (Over a soft serve cone?! I know!) There can be a fine line (or no line) between dessert and breakfast. I think these turnovers can really go either way. Apples at breakfast time are just delightful, like Apple Bread and Apple Coffee Cake. If you want to go full out dessert with your apples, scoop on some vanilla ice cream, and check out Hasselback Apples, or any of these apple crisps:
Vegan Apple CrispCrock Pot Apple CrispGluten Free Apple Crisp
How to Make Easy Apple Turnover
An apple turnover from scratch is made of puff pastry dough cut into squares, filled with spiced, sautéed apples, and then folded into triangles. Crimped edges (a-la Pop Tart) seal the package before baking, and a simple glaze makes for a sweet finishing touch.
The Ingredients
Frozen Puff Pastry. Feel no shame using store bought Pillsbury or Pepperidge Farm here! While puff pastry can be made from scratch, I have never felt the need as it’s honestly more work than it’s worth. Frozen puff pastry is sold in sheets in the frozen section of the grocery store, and will give you a flaky crust and buttery crunch that’ll make you swoon.
Apples. The best apples for this are Granny smith in my opinion, but other sweet-crisp apples such as Gala apples or Honeycrisp work well.Butter. Sautéing the apples in a bit of butter cooks down the apples to make them caramel-like and irresistible, like apple pie filling.Spices. An autumnal combo of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, with a pinch of salt to balance the sweet, make the filling warm and cozy.
Booze. This is an optional but fun add in to give some more complex flavors. Rum, bourbon, brandy, or apple liqueur would all complement the apple filling. The alcohol will cook out as you sauté it with the butter, so don’t worry about this being a 21+ age pastry.Eggwash. One large egg beaten with water gets brushed over the top to create a beautiful, golden finish.Powdered Sugar Glaze. The puff pastry itself is not sweet, so adding a drizzle of glaze is the right amount of sweetness for a finishing touch. I make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. An apple turnover will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container.To Reheat. Rewarm apple turnover leftovers in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and golden. Watch for over crisping or burning. Do not shortcut with the microwave here, as they will not be crispy.To Freeze. Baked apple turnovers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze completely cooled leftover turnovers before glazing. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then place together in freezer Ziplock bag. Follow reheating instructions above, adding time as needed until warmed through.
Recommended Tools to Make Apple Turnover
Pizza Cutter. The easiest way to slice up the puff pastry dough.Silpat Mats. I use these in place of parchment paper to line my cookie sheets when baking. They wash easily and are reusable.Baking Sheets. From turnovers, to cookies, to sheet pan suppers, these are just the best.
Get your apple pie fix without the fuss of making pie crust and peeling your life away.
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