These Air Fryer Apple Turnovers have a golden, flaky exterior and a soft, caramelized apple filling inside. Perfect for fall, brunch, or any time you crave a sweet treat, they’re quick to make and taste just like a bakery favorite. With an air fryer, you get evenly cooked puff pastry without turning on the oven.
Total Time
- Prep: 25 minutes
- Cook: 15 minutes
- Total: 40 minutes
Yields: 8 turnovers
Ingredients
For the Turnovers
- 1 lb (about 450 g) puff pastry, thawed (sheets or blocks)
- 3 medium baking apples, peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg + a splash of water for egg wash
- Coarse sugar for topping (optional)
For the Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Apple Filling
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Add the chopped apples and stir to coat in butter. Cook about 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Lower the heat and stir in brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
- Simmer gently for 3 minutes until the apples are soft and lightly caramelized.
- Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool completely.
Tip: Using tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp adds a nice balance to the sweet filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry
- If using a block of puff pastry, lightly flour a surface and roll it into a rectangle roughly 8–10 inches wide.
- Cut each sheet into four equal squares to make 8 total turnovers.
- Beat the egg with a splash of water to make an egg wash and set aside.
Step 3: Fill and Fold the Turnovers
- Place a spoonful of cooled apple filling in the center of each pastry square.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash.
- Fold each square over diagonally to form a triangle. Press the edges to seal, then use a fork to crimp.
- Place the turnovers on a tray or plate. Chill briefly if needed while prepping the rest.
Tip: Chilling the turnovers for 10–15 minutes helps them hold their shape during air frying.
Step 4: Air Fry the Turnovers
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the turnovers with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Place 2–3 turnovers in the air fryer basket (or as space allows).
- Air fry for 11–15 minutes until golden, puffed, and crispy.
- Transfer cooked turnovers to a cooling rack and repeat with the remaining turnovers.
Step 5: Make and Drizzle the Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
- Add more cream if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm turnovers and serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
- Best Apples: Granny Smith, Jonagold, Cortland, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, or Gala.
- Crispy Pastry: Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded for even cooking.
- Extra Crunch: Sprinkle coarse sugar on top before air frying.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked turnovers on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Air fry from frozen or partially thawed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Glaze Adjustments: For a thinner glaze, add more cream; for thicker, use less.
Variations
- Caramel Apple Turnovers: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to the filling.
- Nutty Version: Mix in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Spiced Version: Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth.
- Mini Turnovers: Cut puff pastry into smaller squares for bite-sized treats.
These Air Fryer Apple Turnovers are perfect for a quick dessert, snack, or special breakfast treat. They are golden, flaky, and filled with sweet, spiced apples, making them irresistible straight from the air fryer.
