If you love cozy, bakery-style treats that feel special without a lot of effort, this recipe is for you. These air fried apple turnovers come together quickly using simple ingredients and are perfect for slow mornings or easy entertaining.
They are great for holidays or hosting, because you can cook the filling ahead of time, and just seal it inside the puff pastry and air fry for 20 minutes!
For Christmas this year, I made the filling the night before, which was so wonderful to be able to enjoy the morning, and also have a delicious warm apple treat that came together so quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and beginner-friendly
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- No oven required
- Make the filling ahead to save time
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
Ingredients You’ll Need
Kitchen Tools
- Air Fryer
- If you are in the market for one, this is the air fryer I own and love.
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Peel and dice apples, cook in a pot with all filling ingredients until apples are soft and sauce has thickened (about 10 minutes).
Step 2: Assemble
Let filling cool in the refrigerator while you prepare the puff pastry and egg wash. Place filling in center of each puff pastry square, brush edges with egg wash fold and seal with a fork. Brush tops of prepared apple turnovers with egg wash, cut three slits on each, and sprinkle with sugar.
Step 3: Cook Until Golden
Preheat air fryer to 325 ℉, air fry until puffed and golden brown (about 20 minutes).
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overfill or the seal won’t hold
- Seal edges well to prevent leaks
- The recipe works best if thawed puff pastry is refrigerated until ready to prepare, and the filling is cooled.
Recipe Variations & Simple Swaps
- Use your favorite apples
- Swap apples for pears
- Use store-bought apple pie filling in a pinch
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with coffee or tea
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Add Greek vanilla yogurt or ice cream
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container
- Prepare filling ahead or the night before
- Reheat in the air fryer for best texture
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — assemble ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to an hour and cook just before serving. You can also prepare the filling the night before and store in an air tight container to cook the next morning.
Can I use frozen puff pastry?
Absolutely, just thaw according to package instructions.
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Air Fryer Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
Equipment
- Air Fryer (see notes section for the air fryer I own and love!)
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 Medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted butter (if using salted butter, omit the 1/4 tsp of kosher salt)
- ⅓ Cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- ¾ tsp Ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Kosher salt
For Turnovers
- 2 Sheets Frozen puff pastry, (thawed) keep cold until ready to use
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tbsp Water
- Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine filling ingredients and cook until apples are soft and syrup has thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the apple mixture to a plate, and chill in the refrigerator to let cool, while preparing the puff pastry.
- Divide puff pastry into 4 equal squares. Spoon a couple tablespoons of the apple filling onto the center of each square.
- Prepare the egg wash by scrambling one egg with one Tbsp of water.
- Brush egg wash on to the edges of each square. Fold each pastry square diagonally (creating a triangle) over apple filling, and seal with the edges with a fork.
- Place the prepared turnovers on a plate and refrigerate while preparing the remaining second sheet of pastry turnovers. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Preheat air fryer to 325℉ (160℃)
- Place apple turnovers in air fryer, brush tops with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and then make 3 small slits with a knife on the top of each turnover.
- Cook in the middle rack until puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Diving Puff Pastry Tip: I use a pizza cutter wheel to cut the pastry with ease.
- All air fryers may vary in cook time and temperature. My air fryer is an oven air fryer, and haven’t tried this recipe in a basket type air fryer. That may require parchment paper on the bottom.
- These turnovers turn out better if they have been chilled a bit. Prepare one pastry sheet at a time, and keep the remaining sheet in the refrigerator until the first batch has been made into turnovers. Refrigerate the prepared turnovers while you prepare the second puff pastry sheet.
- Try serving these warm with a scoop of ice cream, or make ahead the filling and air fryer them for a breakfast or brunch treat.
📌 Save This Recipe for Later
More Simple Home Bliss Recipes to Try
- Easy Breakfast Tostadas (using leftover shredded chicken)
- Easy Air Fryer Salmon with Avocado Salsa
- Kodiak Apple Cinnamon Protein Muffins
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below or save it for later on Pinterest.
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