Apple turnovers

Why you can’t beat a good old-fashioned apple turnover recipe

If you’re wondering what apple turnovers are, they closely resemble the beloved McDonald’s apple pie. Believed to have originated in France from as early as the 1600s, essentially it is an apple pie filling encased in puff pastry. However, they are quicker to make than a pie, which means you get to eat them sooner! Puff pastry apple turnovers are perfect for parties or picnics because they’re a dessert that you can hold and eat with just one hand. They are also easy to make ahead and freeze so that you have a stash ready to bake at any time you need to entertain. Why not turn them into these easy apple turnovers that people will think you bought from an artisan bakery? Almost everyone will adore crunching into a buttery, flaky pastry that’s filled with soft and velvety apple chunks. This comforting dessert is one that people will request over and over again! For more recipe ideas, try our Danish pastries, Curtis Stone’s almond Danish braids or these mixed grape galettes.

How to make apple turnovers with puff pastry

Don’t wait until the pastry is fully thawed before handling it – it should be just thawed, instead of being floppy. To help the puff pastry cook well and puff up nicely, make sure the pastry is thawed according to the instructions on the packaging and not rolled out to be too thin. To prevent the pastry from getting burnt on the top or bottom, bake them on the middle oven rack. 

How do I prevent the filling from leaking? 

To minimise the chance of the filling leaking or leaky pastry cases in this apple turnovers recipe, place the assembled uncooked pastries in the fridge for 20 minutes on a chopping board lined with baking paper before baking them in the oven, and brush the pastry shells with egg wash to help prevent leaky fillings. Ensure you use a chopping board rather than the baking tray, as you want to avoid using a cold oven tray in the oven. Before placing the turnovers in the oven, use a small knife to pierce the top of each one at three different places to allow steam to rush out during baking, which also helps prevent turnovers that are leaking out the sides. 

Can I use different types of apples for the filling and which ones work best? 

If after baking and trying the turnovers you find the granny smith apple turnover filling a little tart for your liking, you can try Golden Delicious or a red apple variety, such as Pink Lady, Fuji or Royal Gala, as they won’t break down too much in the oven. Try to avoid chopping the apples too small or you may end up with apple sauce!

Different ways to serve apple turnover

Being so portable and tasty even when cold, they are the perfect sweet treat to make for a fundraising bake sale. But, of course, apple and cinnamon turnovers are also amazing when eaten fresh out of the oven. Maybe you’d like to make it on a lazy Saturday morning, as a lovely brunch treat to yourself (or someone you love). To serve, why not present your apple turnovers with cream? The warm and crisp turnovers can be dusted with icing sugar and plated with a side of whipped cream. Ice cream or custard also works!