My Apple Turnovers recipe is made completely from scratch with a sweet apple filling folded inside my homemade flaky, buttery pie crust! They take less than an hour to make and taste SO much better than store-bought. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Apple Turnovers From Scratch
I’m re-sharing my homemade apple turnovers recipe just in time for the fall baking season. My version is made completely from scratch with my flaky (super easy) pie crust recipe and a homemade apple pie filling inside.
These are very similar to my hand pies and a great way to use up leftover apples from apple picking. With their buttery, flaky crust and sweet caramelized apple filling in every bite, what’s not to love?!
While I typically top my turnovers with an easy vanilla glaze, I also like to sprinkle them with coarse sugar for some added crunch and sparkle. If you’re less of a sugar fiend, you can just use the sugar or the glaze–but I highly recommend both!
Why you’ll love my recipe:
- Can be made with pie dough or my easy puff pastry.
- Takes less than an hour to make.
- Two topping options: coarse sugar or vanilla glaze (or both!).
- 100% from-scratch!
Ingredients
Just a few ingredients come together to make this easy apple turnover recipe. Most importantly, you’ll need:
- Apples. I recommend using a firm, fairly tart apple like Fuji, Gala (my favorites for apple butter or applesauce), or Granny Smith (a more tart option!). Be sure to peel & core the apples before cutting them into small pieces (less than ½″).
- Pie crust. You could use pre-made (store-bought) pie dough, but I really recommend making my homemade pie dough (linked in the recipe below). It’s very easy to make and produces perfectly flaky, flavorful results that I think makes my apple turnover recipe really special.
- Brown sugar. I like using light brown sugar for the apple filling. Dark brown sugar can be substituted, but it will make your turnovers richer and sweeter.
- Cornstarch. This helps to thicken our apple filling.
- Coarse sugar. This is optional, but I love sprinkling it on the turnovers before they go in the oven. It gives them a crisp, sparkly exterior!
SAM’S TIP: It will seem like a lot of (maybe even too many) apples when you first add them to your pan, but they’ll cook down to be just enough to fill your crust. Make sure to let the filling cool before adding it to your dough, otherwise you run the risk of melting your pastry dough.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Apple Turnovers
- Combine apple filling ingredients in a saucepan and cook, stirring frequently.
- Once the butter melts, increase the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. The apples will become tender and the sauce will thicken.
- Remove apple mixture from heat and stir in vanilla, then set aside to cool while you roll out your pie dough.
- Cut the dough into squares (I like to use a ruler to make mine even, but maybe you’re better at eyeballing this than I am!).
- Transfer the pastry squares to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush lightly with egg wash. Now scoop the cooled apple turnover filling onto prepared squares, placing them just off center.
- Fold the squares over the apple filling and use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Brush the tops of the turnovers with egg wash and vent with a sharp knife before sprinkling with sugar (if using, which you should!).
- Bake for 25 minutes and let cool completely before drizzling with glaze.
SAM’S TIP: If you do find that your dough becomes too soft to manage, just return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes and it should quickly become firm enough to manage. You can also do this with the assembled turnovers if they seem too soft or melty before you pop them in the oven (this can easily happen on a warm day!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! These can be frozen before or after baking. If freezing before, I’d recommend freezing on a baking sheet first to firm up the exteriors before wrapping and storing in a ziploc bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, you can do so from frozen; they’ll just need a few minutes longer in the oven.
Yes! You’ll need one batch of my homemade puff pastry or two sheets of store-bought puff pastry.
If you want to make them last longer, yes. They will keep for 2 days at room temperature (I recommend covering them) but will keep for 5 days if refrigerated. They are best when fresh though!
If you like this apple turnovers recipe, give my cherry turnovers and chocolate turnovers a try!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Apple Turnovers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 batches pie crust dough I recommend using my easy pie crust linked here, it doubles well!
- 4 apples cored, peeled and diced into pieces no larger than ½” (see note)
- ⅔ cup (133 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water for egg wash
- 2 Tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling, optional
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F (205C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Begin preparing apple filling by combining chopped apples, brown sugar, butter, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat.4 apples, ⅔ cup (133 g) light brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Cook, stirring frequently, until butter is melted. Increase heat to medium and continue to cook, bringing mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mixture should thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow mixture to cool before filling pie dough.½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare turnover dough: Divide pie crust in half and roll out one half onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Roll into a rectangle between ⅛”-¼” thick.2 batches pie crust dough
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, neatly cut dough into 4 ½” squares and transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining half of dough (note: you will need to gather the scraps and re-roll them out to make all 10 turnovers).
- Prepare egg wash by whisking together egg and water. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the surface of each pastry square with egg wash.1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water
- Portion about 1½ Tablespoons of filling just off center of each square. Gently fold over one corner to touch the other to envelope the apple filling. Use the tines of a fork to press and seal the turnovers. Repeat with remaining turnovers.
- Brush the outside of each turnover lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar (or regular granulated sugar), if desired. Use a sharp knife to cut 2-3 small slits to vent.2 Tablespoons coarse sugar
- Transfer to center rack of 400F (205C) oven and bake for 25 minutes, until pastry is beginning to turn golden brown.
- Allow to cool before topping with icing (if desired).
Vanilla Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon of milk, and vanilla extract. If mixture is too dry, add additional milk, a splash at a time, until mixture ribbons off the spoon.1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar, 1-2 Tablespoons milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Drizzle glaze over cooled turnovers, and enjoy.
Notes
Apples
I recommend using a tart, firm apple like Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith, but just about any apple will work here! You’ll need about 1.75lbs/795 grams of apples before peeling/coring/dicing). After dicing you should have about 3 cups/350g of apples.Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or tightly wrap and freeze for up to several months.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This recipe was originally published October of 2017. I’ve made small edits to the flow of the recipe to make it easier to follow and have added new photos, a new video, and new text that I hope is helpful!
Nica
Thank you for your recipe , they were spot on and delicious. My husband raved and said in the store they hardly fill them. The crust was flaky as can be. Thanks
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Nica! I am so glad that you and your husband enjoyed the Apple Turnovers! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Helena 12 years old
Very very good I made it for my brother, mom and step dad and they all loved it. It was very flaky. I dont like apple pie but I loved this for some reason. I want to bake when I get older so this was a good start. Thank you
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Helena! I am so happy that your family enjoyed the apple turnovers. I can’t wait to hear what you bake next! 🙂
Tom
Just made it and it’s really good! My wife is gluten free so unfortunately she can’t enjoy it but my daughter and I really like them!! Thank you!
Sam
I’m sorry to hear your wife couldn’t enjoy the turnovers but so glad to hear they were a hit otherwise, Tom! Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it!
Eric
The turnovers are so good! No, they are like OMG good 🙂 I canty wait for My wife to come home and try one. First time I made them and nailed it! with all thanks to you, your awesome!
Eric
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Eric! I am so glad that you enjoyed the apple turnovers, I hope that your wife enjoys them too! 🙂
Miss Elaine-ious
I just got a text from my boyfriend while he was a work (which almost never happens because of his job). “Your apple turnovers are my favorite thing ever!” I, like others, added a few more spices. 1/4 tsp. of both nutmeg and allspice. Also, the pie crust dough was a game changer. I will be making both recipes again and again. Thanks so much for the wonderful recipe.
Sugar Spun Run
What a compliment! Thank you so much. I am glad that you and your boyfriend enjoyed the Apple Turnovers. 🙂
Murakami Mona
The fact that I was able to stir myself to comment is a testimony to how amazingly delicious this recipe was… totally in love. It melted in my mouth in a flaky, apple-spicey bliss. I did add sprinkles of nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, ground cloves, and allspice for a slightly stronger flavour, but I think without the additions it wouldn’t have had much of a deep taste. Thank you for posting this fantastic recipe!!
Sam
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Murakami! I am so glad you enjoyed the turnovers. 🙂
Melanie Wallace
Can these be frozen and reheated?
Sam
Hi Melanie! I haven’t tried freezing them, but I think that would work just fine. 🙂
Jo
Just wanted to thank you for saving me and my apples! your recipe made a BIG hit 🌞, l would give you more than 5 🌟 if I could, thank you so much
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Jo! 🙂
Viktoria
Really wonderful. I appreciate this recipe and the easy to follow instructions. I didn’t modify them at all, and I’m glad I didn’t. They turned out perfectly. Thanks so much!
Sam
Thank you so much, Viktoria! I am so glad you enjoyed the turnovers. 🙂
Georgia
Thanks sooo much for this easy & delicious recipe! I loved it & my family & friends were amazed & glad that I chose this recipe to try out! We will add to our list of favorites 😍
Sam
I’m so happy to hear the turnovers were such a hit, Georgia! Thank you for commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Amara
I made the filling for my homemade puff pastry and it is perfect. The flavor is spot on, and the consistency just right, it didn’t soften or made my turnover soggy long after baking. I used 4 Granny S., brown sugar, some extra cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg. Fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
Sam
I’m so glad to hear they worked so well for you, Amara! Thank you for commenting 🙂
Deb
Delish!
Sam
Thank you so much, Deb! 🙂
trish
can i use dark brown sugar instead?
Sam
Sure, it will just be richer. Enjoy!
Sharon
Is it possible to freeze these if they aren’t eaten before?
Sam
Yes, that would be fine! Let them cool completely and wrap well in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container 🙂
Rachel S
Hi, Sam! I’m thinking about making these for my diabetic Grandfather. Do you think these turnovers would work with a sugar substitute? Or would it likely change the consistency? Would I use the same amount of sugar substitute as you noted for brown sugar? Thank you for sharing all your delicious recipes!
Sam
Hi Rachel! I am honestly not very unfamiliar with using sugar substitutes. However I did some reading and I believe that it would work to use a sugar substitute (though I think I might skip the sugar topping/glaze, I don’t know that it would work for that). How much to use will vary depending on the substitute that you are using, I would start with just using 3-4 Tablespoons and then taste-testing until you reach the desired sweetness. Please keep in mind that I have not tried this myself and am hesitant to suggest doing it because I can’t guarantee the outcome, unfortunately, but I do think it could work.
Randy E
Hello Rachel S. I was wondering how these turned out for you using the sugar substitute. I am debating on trying it myself.
Josi
This recipe is soooo good!! My mom is in love with these apple turnovers and has asked me to make them 3 times in the last week!! And obviously I needed only a little prodding to make them😁
Sam
This comment just made my day, thank you, Josi! My little sister (the youngest one, I have 4 little sisters 😂) absolutely loves this recipe too and ALWAYS asks me to make it for her!
Judy
Oh, Samantha, these are so good. Made them today thinking I might freeze some, but they won’t make it. The filling is wonderful. My house smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. I’m going to make another batch of these tomorrow, for the freezer.
Our trip to Apple Hill thus year really paid off.
Claire
Thanks for sharing, they were delicious!!