Apple Turnovers in the Air Fryer
Air fryer apple turnovers bake in about 12 minutes and puff into golden, flaky pastry around a warm cinnamon apple filling. This recipe uses one sheet of store-bought puff pastry and a quick stovetop filling, and it also covers frozen apple turnovers and how to reheat them. You get four large turnovers without turning on the oven.
- Temperature
- 350°F180 °C
- Total time
- 54min
- Prep time
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 340kcal
Why the air fryer works for apple turnovers
Puff pastry rises because the butter between its layers turns to steam and pushes the sheets apart, which only works if the outside sets quickly while the inside is still cold. That is what the air fryer does well. Fast, dry air crisps the surface within minutes, locks in the layers and browns the egg wash, so you get a turnover with visible, flaky layers in a fraction of the time an oven needs to preheat.
The fruit needs a little help. Raw apple pieces release water, and this makes the pastry soggy from the inside, so the filling is cooked briefly first and thickened with cornstarch. A cooled filling and a well-sealed edge keep the juices where they belong. The same method works with store-bought frozen turnovers, which only need a few minutes more than fresh ones.
How to make apple turnovers in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cook the filling Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, both sugars, cinnamon and lemon juice and cook for , until the apples are just tender. Stir in the cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and cook for more, until thick. Cool the filling for . Hot filling melts the pastry.
- Cut the pastry Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a floured surface and roll it slightly to smooth the folds. Cut it into 4 squares of about 5 inches.
- Fill and seal Spoon a quarter of the filling onto one half of each square, leaving a ½-inch border. Brush the edges with egg wash, fold the pastry over to make a triangle and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush and vent Brush the tops with egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar and cut two small slits in each top so steam can escape.
- Preheat and arrange Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for . Lightly grease the basket and place 2 turnovers in it with space between them. Chill the others in the refrigerator while the first batch cooks.
- Cook Cook for , until puffed, deep golden and crisp on the bottom. Check after , and lower the temperature to 330 °F for the rest of the time if the tops brown too early. Cool for before eating, then repeat with the other 2 turnovers.
Times and temperatures
| Apple Turnovers | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade, puff pastry2 per batch | 350 °F (180 °C) | 12 min |
| Frozen store-boughtDo not thaw | 350 °F (180 °C) | 14–18 min |
| Crescent dough | 330 °F (170 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Pie crust | 350 °F (180 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Reheat leftovers | 320 °F (160 °C) | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Keep the pastry cold. Work with it straight from the refrigerator and chill the shaped turnovers for 10 minutes if the kitchen is warm.
- Choose firm apples. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp hold their shape. Soft varieties turn to sauce.
- Cook two at a time. Puff pastry doubles in height, and a crowded basket stops the air from reaching the sides.
What to serve with apple turnovers
Serve warm turnovers with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce or a spoonful of whipped cream. A dusting of powdered sugar is enough for a breakfast or brunch table. If you want a different apple dessert, the apple pie recipe uses a full crust, and the dessert recipes page has more ideas.
Storing and reheating
Keep baked turnovers in a loosely covered container at room temperature for 1 day, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Sealed airtight, the pastry softens, so leave the lid slightly open. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 320 °F for 3 to 4 minutes until the pastry is crisp and the filling is hot. Unbaked, shaped turnovers can be frozen on a tray and kept in a freezer bag for 2 months. Cook them from frozen at 350 °F for 14 to 16 minutes.
Variations
- Cream cheese: Spread 1 tbsp softened cream cheese in each turnover before adding the apples.
- Caramel apple: Add 1 tbsp chopped soft caramels to the filling after it has cooled.
- Cherry or blueberry: Replace the apples with 1 cup of thawed, drained berries tossed with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cornstarch.
- Glazed: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 2 tsp milk and drizzle it over the cooled turnovers.
If it does not turn out right
- The turnovers leaked filling
- The edges were not sealed or the filling was too wet. Leave a ½-inch border, press the edges with a fork and cook the filling until it is thick. Cool it completely before filling.
- The pastry is pale or soft on the bottom
- Pastry that is too warm will not puff. Keep it cold, do not crowd the basket and bake at 350 °F with a preheated air fryer. Lightly grease the basket so the base browns.
- The tops brown before the pastry is cooked through
- Lower the temperature to 330 °F and add 2 minutes. Thick, tall turnovers need the gentler heat to cook through.
Questions and answers
How long do apple turnovers take in the air fryer?
Homemade puff pastry turnovers take about 12 minutes at 350 °F. Frozen store-bought apple turnovers take 14 to 18 minutes at 350 °F, depending on size.
Can I cook frozen apple turnovers in the air fryer?
Yes. Do not thaw them. Cook them at 350 °F for 14 to 18 minutes in a single layer, until puffed, golden and hot in the center.
Can I make apple turnovers with crescent rolls, pie crust or biscuits?
Yes. Crescent dough bakes in 8 to 10 minutes at 330 °F. Refrigerated pie crust takes 10 to 12 minutes at 350 °F. Biscuit dough needs 10 to 12 minutes at 320 °F and gives a bread-like result.
How do I reheat apple turnovers in the air fryer?
Heat them at 320 °F for 3 to 4 minutes. The pastry becomes crisp again, and the filling warms through.
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