by 
These Apple Turnovers are a fun and delicious treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Made with puff pastry and an easy apple filling.
Apple hand pies
These delicious mini pies are called turnovers or hand pies. This version is filled with a spiced apple filling and topped with a sweet glaze.
Apple turnovers are one of those treats that feel like they are from a bakery, but are surprisingly easy to make at home. With just a few ingredients, you can have a warm, flaky pastry filled with a delicious apple filling.
These turnovers are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They taste best the day the are made, especially when served slightly warm.
Ingredients for apple turnovers
- Apples - Any baking apple will work in these turnovers.
- Puff Pastry - Buy sheets of puff pastry or make homemade puff pastry
- Brown Sugar - Adds a bit of sweetness.
- Butter - Used to cook the apples. I use regular, salted butter.
- Spices - Both cinnamon and nutmeg add the perfect amount of warmth.
- Egg - Use as an egg wash to seal the pastry and brushed on the turnovers to help develop a golden color.
- Glaze - Made with powdered sugar mixed with milk or cream.
Making the turnovers
- Peel, core, and chop apples into small chunks.
- Place in a skillet over medium-low heat along with the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes until the apples are soft.
- Unfold one of the thawed puff pastry dough. Roll to increase the width and length by one inch each.
- Cut into four equal squares.
- Make the egg wash by mixing the egg and water together with a fork or a whisk.
- Brush the egg wash around the edge of each square.
- Place a large spoonful of the apples in the center of one square.
- Fold one corner down to the opposite corner, making a triangle. Press the ends together.
- Use a fork to crimp the edges. This seals the dough together.
- Place each pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cut three small slits on the top of the pie. This allows the filling to vent.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 18-20 minutes.
- Cool on a baking rack for 5 minutes, then drizzle with glaze.
Tips for making the best turnovers
- If using store-bought puff pastry, the packages usually come with two sheets of puff pastry. You'll need both sheets for this recipe. If the puff pastry leaves a deep indent when it is folded, use your fingertips to pat out the folds gently.
- The puff pastry needs to be thawed before using. As soon as it is workable, roll it out slightly. You want to increase the size slightly larger than the original size.
- Don't allow the puff pastry to become too warm. It will become sticky and will be hard to work with. If needed, place back in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.
- Place the prepared turnovers in the oven as soon as they are assembled. Make certain the oven is fully preheated.
- Cool the baked turnovers for 10 minutes and then drizzle with the glaze.
- Allow the glaze to set up for about 10 minutes. It will begin to develop a crust and slightly harden.
Frequently asked questions
Make certain you crimp the sides of the turnover to fully seal it. Don't forget to cut the slits on the top of the turnover. The filling needs a place for the steam to escape. Lastly, don't overfill the turnovers.
These apple turnovers are best eaten the day they are made. However, any leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
More delicious recipes with apples
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious desserts!
Apple Turnovers
Video
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
Turnovers
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 3-4 apples (2 ½ heaping cups of chopped apples)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Peel, core, and chop apples into small chunks.3-4 apples
- Place in a skillet over medium-low heat along with the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.1 tablespoon butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Cook for 7-10 minutes until the apples are soft. Set aside to cool.
- Unfold one of the thawed puff pastry dough. Roll to increase the width and length by one inch each. Cut into four equal squares.2 sheets puff pastry
- Make the egg wash by mixing the egg and water together with a fork or a whisk. Brush the egg wash around the edge of each square.1 egg, 1 tablespoon water
- Place a large spoonful of the apples in the center of one square.
- Fold one corner down to the opposite corner, making a triangle. Press the ends together. Then use a fork to crimp and seal the edges.
- Place each pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut three small slits on the top of the pie. This allows the filling to vent. Repeat with remaining puff pastry and filling.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 18-20 minutes.
- While the turnovers are baking, make the glaze by combining powdered sugar and milk together. Stir until smooth.½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- Cool on a baking rack for 5 minutes, then drizzle with glaze.
Notes
- If using store-bought puff pastry, the packages usually come with two sheets of puff pastry. You'll need both sheets for this recipe. If the puff pastry leaves a deep indent when it is folded, use your fingertips to pat out the folds gently.
- The puff pastry needs to be thawed before using. As soon as it is workable, roll it out slightly. You want to increase the size slightly larger than the original size.
- Don't allow the puff pastry to become too warm. It will become sticky and will be hard to work with. If needed, place back in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.
- Place the prepared turnovers in the oven as soon as they are assembled. Make certain the oven is fully preheated.
- Cool the baked turnovers for 10 minutes and then drizzle with the glaze.
- Allow the glaze to set up for about 10 minutes. It will begin to develop a crust and slightly harden.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Janet Clevenger says
Can i use canned pie filling instead. These turnovers look delicious.
Kathy says
Yes! That would be fine.