As the fall season approaches, many people start to crave warm, pastry turnovers. Apple Hand Pies with Puff Pastry will fulfill the craving! It's an easy recipe! It is so delicious, you can enjoy them any time of the year.
Just like a classic apple pie, with a golden brown, flaky crust, and a tender, cinnamon sugar fruit filling. This is one delicious apple dessert that you won't be able to get enough of. Plus, these turnovers are great to make ahead of time and freeze beautifully, too!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ The sweet apple filling perfectly balances the flaky pastry, so it'll please your sweet tooth without a huge sugar crash!
✔️ Quick apple turnovers use store-bought dough, so you don't have to fuss about making it homemade.
✔️ This is one of the more unique apple recipes, so it's great during apple season when you're just not in the mood to make a pie.
Why this recipe works
Warm apple pie filling, flaky pastry, and a sweet glaze to top it all off—what more could you want?
Homemade apple turnovers are easy to make, use just a handful of simple ingredients, and don't have to look pretty to taste fabulous! Plus, you can have fun making them with the family, or whip up a bunch for friends and workmates.
If you really want to treat yourself, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each apple turnover before serving. The warm pastry makes the ice cream a little melty and the combination is oh-so-delicious!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- puff pastry sheets
- flour (for dusting)
- apples
- unsalted butter
- light brown sugar
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- salt
- egg
- powdered sugar
- cream
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks.
- Add the butter and apples to a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- Next, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and stir well. Turn heat to medium, and cook another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and allow to cool. To speed up cooling, decant to a bowl from the hot pan.
- Roll out the dough sheets over a floured surface and flatten any needed edges using a rolling pin.
- Use a pizza wheel and cut the dough sheet into even squares. Depending on the size, you should get around 6 squares.
- Spoon 1-2 Tablespoons of the apple mixture into the center of each square.
- Add the egg and water to a small bowl, and beat, then brush the egg wash along the edges of the squares.
- Fold each square, corner to corner to create a triangle then seal the edges closed using a fork.
- Take a sharp knife and score 3 slits into each turnover for the steam to escape.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Using the same pastry brush and egg wash, brush the top of all the turnovers. Then, bake for 20-25 minutes.
- While they’re baking, take a small mixing bowl and add the powdered sugar and cream. Stir well to mix - you should have a drizzle-worthy icing made. Add more cream as needed until you get the consistency you like.
- Remove the apple turnovers from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes then drizzle with the icing. Enjoy while they’re still warm, or eat cold.
Equipment
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- Pizza cutter
- Sheet pan
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FAQ's
Remove a roll of puff pastry from the box and let it sit on the counter or in the fridge. It'll only take about an hour at room temperature or three hours in the fridge. Follow the package directions for best results!
I like to use a blend of sweet and tart apples, but you can use as few or as many varieties as you prefer. Most bakers prefer fuji, gala, and granny smith apples. Though, honey crisp apples are great, too, and are pretty easy to find.
First, press the edges together really well. Then, crimp them with a fork to ensure they stay shut. Finally, don't forget to make a few small slits on top of each turnover—they must fully cut through the top pastry to let steam out. Otherwise, your turnovers might burst!
Not exactly! Hand pies (or mini pies) are made with pie crust. However, turnovers are made with a sheet of puff pastry. Pie dough and puff pastry taste similar, but the latter is flakier, lighter, and—you guessed it—puffier!
Yep—a few differences, in fact. Most importantly, puff pastry will rise and provide a good, yet soft structure for your apple turnovers. Phyllo dough is so thin and dries out quickly in the oven—it's not as great a vehicle for apple filling because it just breaks apart. (Phyllo is more commonly used for crispy treats, like baklava.)
Deb's tips
- Cut the apple pieces into even sizes. This way, they'll all cook at the same rate, giving your turnovers the perfect texture!
- Try not to overcook the apple mixture—it'll continue to soften in the oven. You should be able to pierce the apples with a fork, but they shouldn't be mushy or too soft.
- If the thawed puff pastry sheets start feeling too warm, pop them back into the freezer for a few minutes. Cold temps are pastry's best friend!
- Don't use the microwave to thaw frozen puff pastry unless the package says it's okay. This method usually doesn't work well and is quite risky—you can ruin the pastry within seconds. How sad!
- I like to line my cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Sift the powdered sugar before using it for the smoothest glaze ever.
- Want to make apple turnovers ahead of time? Prepare them as directed, but before baking, place them into a freezer-safe container or bag. Separate the layers with parchment paper so they don't stick. Bake frozen—you'll likely need to add about five minutes of cook time.
Variations
The fun part about turnovers is that they're super easy to customize.
Store-bought puff pastry dough keeps this easy apple turnovers recipe, well, easy! However, if you're feeling fancy, you can make it homemade. Pie crust will work too, in a pinch, but is a little bit denser.
Feel free to get creative with different fruits. Peach, strawberry, and blueberry fillings taste great, too! Make sure whatever mixture you choose cooks down so it isn't watery.
On the other hand, some people like to use a savory filling. A creamy chicken and gravy mixture makes cute chicken pot (hand) pies.
If you don't like sweet desserts, skip the glaze and sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking. It'll give the pastry a nice sparkle and yummy crunch! Or, drizzle caramel sauce overtop (eggnog caramel is my favorite recipe) for a caramel apple-inspired treat.
Storage
Refrigerate—Place leftover apple turnovers in an airtight container. At room temperature, they'll last about three days. However, when refrigerated, they'll keep for five.
Freezer—Seal each apple turnover in plastic wrap, then carefully toss the wrapped turnovers into a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen, the turnovers will keep for about a month.
Reheat—Warm the turnovers in the oven or toaster oven or air fryer until heated through. It'll take a few minutes longer if they're frozen.
Related recipes
- These Cream Cheese Danishes taste like the fancy kind you get from an old-fashioned coffee shop, but take less than a half hour to make!
- Sweet and buttery Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings might sound interesting if you've never tried them, but once you do, you'll be hooked!
- Another breakfast classic, these Crescent Cinnamon Rolls are a quick and easy way to enjoy your favorite pillowy, warm, buttery brunch treat.
Still looking for a favorite? Check out Grandma's Favorite Apple Desserts. There are a ton of ideas, and I know you'll find just what you're looking for!
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Puff Pastry Apple Hand Pies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 refrigerated puff pastry sheets
- 1 tablespoon flour for dusting
- 4 apples peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- â…› teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream
Instructions
- Peel, core and chop the apples into small chunks.
- Add the butter and apples to a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and give a good stir. Turn heat to medium, and cook another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat and allow to cool. To speed up cooling decant to a bowl from the hot pan.
- Roll out the dough sheets, over a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin flatten any edges that need it.
- Use a pizza wheel and cut the dough sheet into even squares. Depending on the size, you should get around 6 squares.
- Spoon 1-2 Tablespoons of the apple mixture into the middle of each square.
- Add the egg and water to a small bowl, and beat, then brush the egg wash along the edges of the squares.
- Fold each square, corner to corner to create a triangle then seal the edges closed using a fork.
- Take a sharp knife and score 3 slits into each turnover, for the steam to escape.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place turnovers on the prepared baking sheet.
- Using the same pastry brush and egg wash, brush the top of all the turnovers. Now bake for 20-25 minutes.
- While they’re baking, take a small mixing bowl and add the powdered sugar and cream. Stir well to mix - you should have a drizzle-worthy icing made. Add more cream as needed until you get the consistency you like.
- Remove the apple turnovers from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes then drizzle with the icing. Enjoy while they’re still warm, or eat cold.
Sharon says
These apple hand pies look so scrumptious and precious! My kids are going to love them!
Bowl Me Over says
They are the best!!
Sam says
My grandmother always made apple hand pies when I was a kid. I can't wait to make this version!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful!! There's so simple and so good. Enjoy!
Debbie says
These apple hand pies bring back memories of baking with my grandmother when I was young. I am excited so excited to bake these with the kids!
Bowl Me Over says
I know they will just love the apple turnovers, enjoy Debbie!
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
Your apple turnovers are AWESOME!! And they were easy enough that my kids could really manage most of it. They like baking but sometimes need a little direction. These I would feel pretty comfortable letting them make on their own now that they have done it once.
Bowl Me Over says
That's wonderful! I love that you're teaching your children how to cook and bake. Enjoy!
Alyssa says
We go apple picking every year and we love to make different apple treats after. These apple turnovers will be perfect!
One Crazy House says
These apple turnovers look like a fun recipe to make with the kids!
One Crazy House says
These apple turnovers look like a fun recipe to make with the kids for Thanksgiving!
Bowl Me Over says
Perfect for T-Day! And if you're a little short on time... use canned apples and the apple turnovers will be done in a snap! Enjoy!
Kristen says
How sweet (LITERALLY!) would these apple hand pies be for Thanksgiving?!
Bowl Me Over says
You'll love them! Everyone feels so special having their own apple turnover!
Cynthia says
These apple hand pies are so good! The puff pastry crust is the perfect touch!
Brandi says
My kids and hubby love these apple turnovers! They're easy to make and so delicious. The only problem is making enough of them to last longer than a day! 😉
Bowl Me Over says
Haha, isn't that about right? Glad you're enjoying the recipe!
Rita Joy says
I love how this apple turnovers recipe uses puff pastry. That's a brilliant time saver, and they look absolutely scrumptious!
Brittany says
Oh my! These apple turnovers look amazing! And you make them look like something I could actually make, lol!