Embracing the Flavors of Fall: A Culinary Tradition

For many, the arrival of autumn brings with it a delightful transformation of landscapes and culinary traditions. Growing up, the fall season always meant one thing: apple picking. It was an annual pilgrimage to local orchards, a cherished ritual of gathering nature’s bounty and bringing home baskets overflowing with crisp, fragrant apples. These versatile fruits were destined for everything from simple snacks to elaborate pies, homemade applesauce, muffins, and countless other autumnal delights. This deep connection to apple culture fostered a profound love for these sweet and delicious fruits, a passion that only grows stronger with each passing year.

Today, living in the very community that once drew me as a child, I’m surrounded by an abundance of fresh apples of every imaginable variety. Every roadside stand, bustling farm market, and even the generous neighbors with a sprawling apple tree offer a new opportunity to partake in this cherished cultural tradition. It’s a sensory experience – the crisp bite, the sweet aroma, the vibrant colors – that truly defines the essence of fall.

Air Fryer Apple Turnovers: A Modern Twist on a Classic

What better way to celebrate this glorious season than by sharing one of my absolute favorite apple recipes? Given my focus on oven-free cooking, I embarked on a mission to adapt these tender, fruit-filled pastries for the air fryer. And let me tell you, the results are nothing short of spectacular! These turnovers emerge from the air fryer with a remarkably golden, irresistibly crisp exterior that perfectly encases a tender, warmly spiced, and sweet apple filling. They truly are the stuff of culinary dreams.

Sprinkled with a touch of coarse baking sugar just before their air fryer journey, they achieve a dazzling sparkle and an extra layer of crunch that rivals, and often surpasses, anything you might find in a professional bakery. The air fryer works its magic, delivering a perfect bake with minimal fuss, making this recipe a game-changer for anyone craving homemade goodness without the full oven commitment.

Selecting the Perfect Apples for Baking

The success of any apple dessert begins with the right apple. If you haven’t yet chosen your apples for this recipe, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make the best selection. The key is to pick varieties that hold their shape well during cooking and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness, ensuring your filling isn’t mushy or overly sweet.

• Granny Smith: A classic for baking due to its firm texture and tartness, which provides a lovely contrast to the sweet filling.
• Jonagold: A delightful blend of sweet and tart, with a crisp texture that stands up well to heat.
• Cortland: My personal favorite for its slightly sweet flavor and ability to maintain its white flesh and shape beautifully when cooked.
• Honeycrisp: Known for its exceptional sweetness and crispness, it adds a wonderful texture to the filling.
• McIntosh: While softer, it offers an intensely aromatic and sweet-tart flavor that many adore in baked goods.
• Braeburn: A firm, sweet-tart apple with a hint of spice, perfect for a robust filling.
• Golden Delicious: Sweet and mild, it softens nicely into a comforting filling.
• Gala: A universally loved sweet apple that offers a mild flavor and holds up moderately well.
• Northern Spy: Often considered the ultimate baking apple, it maintains its form and delivers a rich, complex flavor.

Feel free to experiment with a single variety or combine two or three for a more complex flavor profile in your apple turnover filling!

Ingredients: Crafting Your Apple Turnover Masterpiece

The beauty of these Air Fryer Apple Turnovers lies in their simplicity, relying on a few key ingredients to deliver maximum flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

For the Flaky Turnovers:

• Puff Pastry: This is your secret weapon for quick and easy turnovers. If available, opt for pre-rolled puff pastry sheets, as they significantly cut down on prep time. I often find myself with blocks, which require a quick roll-out with a minimal dusting of flour. Ensure your puff pastry is properly thawed according to package instructions before use.
• Apples: Approximately 3 medium-sized baking apples are needed. As discussed, choose varieties known for holding their structure during cooking. I used McIntosh for this batch, but any of the recommended baking apples will yield excellent results.
• Egg: One large egg, beaten with a touch of water, creates a versatile egg wash. This wash serves two crucial purposes: it acts as a sealant to keep your delicious apple filling securely inside the pastry, and it promotes a beautiful golden-brown, shiny crust during baking.
• Butter: Essential for sautéing the apples, butter adds richness and helps create that irresistible caramelized flavor in the filling.
• Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, ground cinnamon infuses the filling with warm, comforting notes that scream “fall.”
• Lemon Juice: A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the apple flavor, prevents the apples from browning excessively, and balances the sweetness of the sugars.
• White Sugar: Provides clean, straightforward sweetness to the apple filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness and helps in the caramelization process, contributing to a richer flavor.
• Coarse Baking Sugar (Optional): Sprinkled on top before baking, this sugar adds a professional, sparkling finish and a delightful textural crunch. You can find it here.

For the Homemade Glaze:

A simple yet elegant glaze takes these turnovers from great to extraordinary.

• Powdered Sugar: Also known as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar, its fine texture is indispensable for creating a smooth, lump-free glaze. There’s no direct substitute if you want that classic glaze consistency, but you can make your own by blending granulated sugar until fine, as shown in this recipe from Bigger Bolder Baking.
• Heavy Cream: You’ll need about 1-2 tablespoons. The amount can be adjusted to achieve your preferred glaze thickness; I tend to use closer to the full 2 tablespoons for a thinner, more pourable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a quarter teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract adds a lovely aromatic depth to the glaze, complementing the apple and cinnamon flavors beautifully. It can be omitted if you prefer, but it truly elevates the final taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Air Fryer Apple Turnovers

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly crisp and delicious apple turnovers with ease.

Part 1: Preparing the Irresistible Apple Filling

1. Sauté the Apples: Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and stir with a wooden spoon until it is fully melted.
2. Cook to Tenderness: Add your diced apples to the skillet and stir well, ensuring all apple pieces are coated in the melted butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes, or until the apples have softened slightly but still retain some bite.
3. Sweeten and Spice: Reduce the heat to low. Add the brown sugar, granulated white sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the apples are evenly coated in the sugar and spice mixture.
4. Caramelize to Perfection: Allow the sugared apple mixture to simmer gently for about 3 minutes. Continue stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes wonderfully soft, syrupy, and beautifully caramelized.
5. Cool Completely: Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the apple filling to a separate bowl or plate. It is crucial to set it aside and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Warm filling will cause your puff pastry to become soggy, so patience here is key!

Part 2: Assembling Your Flaky Turnovers

6. Prepare Puff Pastry: Once your apple filling has cooled, unwrap your thawed puff pastry sheets. If you’re using puff pastry blocks, lightly flour your clean work surface and roll out each block into a large square, roughly 8-10 inches by 8-10 inches.
7. Cut into Squares: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, divide each large puff pastry square into four smaller, equal squares. You should end up with a total of 8 puff pastry squares.
8. Make an Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together one egg with a tablespoon of water until well combined. This is your egg wash.
9. Fill Each Pastry: Carefully spoon a small amount (about 1 to 2 tablespoons) of the completely cooled apple filling onto the center of each puff pastry square. Be sure to leave at least a 1-inch border clear around the perimeter of each square; this space is essential for folding and securely sealing the turnovers.
10. Fold and Seal: Lightly brush a small amount of the egg wash along each of the four edges of the pastry square. Carefully fold one corner of the square over to meet the opposite corner, forming a triangle. Gently press down on the edges to seal the pastry.




11. Crimp the Edges: Use the tines of a fork to firmly crimp along the sealed edges of each turnover. This not only creates a lovely decorative pattern but also ensures a tight seal, preventing the filling from leaking out during baking.
12. Chill Remaining Turnovers: As you finish assembling each turnover, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a plate. Assess how many turnovers will fit comfortably in your air fryer in a single layer without overcrowding (typically 2-3 for basket-style fryers, up to 8 for oven-style). Keep the ones you’re ready to bake out, and place any remaining assembled turnovers in the refrigerator to chill. This step is vital to prevent the pastry from becoming warm and losing its flakiness while waiting its turn.

Part 3: Air Frying for Golden Perfection

13. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for at least 3 minutes, or follow the preheating instructions specific to your air fryer model. Proper preheating ensures even cooking and a crisp crust.
14. Egg Wash & Sugar Sprinkle: Just before placing the turnovers into the air fryer, brush the tops of the turnovers you are about to bake with the remaining egg wash. If desired, generously sprinkle them with coarse baking sugar for that extra sparkle and crunch.
15. Air Fry to Golden: Carefully place the prepared turnovers in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Bake for 11-15 minutes, or until the turnovers are beautifully puffed up, golden brown, and delightfully crisp. Cooking times can vary between air fryer models, so keep an eye on them.
16. Cool on a Rack: Once baked, carefully remove the golden-brown turnovers from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Place paper towels or parchment paper underneath the rack to catch any potential glaze drips later.

Part 4: Finishing with a Sweet Glaze

17. Prepare the Glaze: While your turnovers are still warm, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of heavy cream, and the vanilla extract until you have a smooth mixture.
18. Adjust Consistency: Gradually add additional heavy cream, ¼ teaspoon at a time, whisking continuously, until you achieve a thin, pourable glaze consistency that you desire.
19. Drizzle and Serve: Using a spoon, generously drizzle the prepared glaze over the still-warm apple turnovers.
20. Repeat & Enjoy: Repeat the entire air frying and glazing process with your remaining chilled turnovers until all batches are cooked, glazed, and ready to be enjoyed. Serve your warm, homemade Air Fryer Apple Turnovers immediately for the best experience!

Oven Baking Instructions (No Air Fryer? No Problem!)

Don’t have an air fryer yet? No worries! You can still enjoy these incredible apple turnovers using a traditional oven. The preparation steps for the filling and assembly remain the same. Once your turnovers are prepared, brushed with egg wash, and sprinkled with coarse sugar (if desired), simply follow these baking instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the prepared turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until they are puffed, beautifully golden brown, and cooked through. Continue with the glazing steps as directed.

Tips for Achieving Perfect Air Fryer Apple Turnovers Every Time

• Chill is Key: Always ensure your apple filling is completely cooled before adding it to the puff pastry. Warm filling will melt the butter in the pastry, leading to a less flaky, potentially soggy result.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Air fryers work by circulating hot air. Overcrowding the basket prevents proper air circulation, leading to unevenly cooked and less crispy turnovers. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Proper Sealing: Take your time to properly seal the edges with egg wash and a fork. This prevents the delicious filling from escaping during baking.
• Thawing Puff Pastry: Follow package instructions for thawing. Generally, puff pastry blocks require overnight thawing in the fridge, while sheets can thaw in about 4 hours. Don’t rush it in the microwave, as this can make the pastry sticky and hard to work with.
• Egg Wash Benefits: The egg wash isn’t just for shine. It also helps with browning and contributes to a crispier crust.
• Adjust Cooking Times: All air fryers vary. Use the recommended time as a guide, but check for golden brown perfection. If they’re browning too quickly, you can slightly reduce the temperature for the remaining cook time.

Delightful Serving Suggestions

These Air Fryer Apple Turnovers are incredibly versatile and delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your serving experience:

• À la Mode: Serve warm turnovers with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic dessert pairing. The contrast of warm apple and cold ice cream is heavenly.
• Creamy Indulgence: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
• Morning Delight: Enjoy them for breakfast or brunch with a cup of coffee or tea.
• Simple Sweetness: For a less rich option, simply dust them with a little extra powdered sugar instead of glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Turnovers

Can you freeze apple turnovers?

While baked and glazed apple turnovers don’t typically freeze well due to potential sogginess, unbaked apple turnovers freeze beautifully! To freeze, place the assembled but unbaked turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until completely solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a labeled freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, you can cook them directly from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the baking time) or thaw them slightly first.

How do you keep apple turnovers from getting soggy?

Several factors contribute to preventing soggy turnovers: ensure your apple filling is completely cooled to room temperature before assembly, keep your assembled turnovers chilled in the refrigerator until ready to bake, and always place them into a preheated (hot) air fryer or oven. Lastly, don’t brush them with the egg wash until they are moments away from going into the heat.

What are the best apples for turnovers?

Any good quality baking apple that holds its shape well will work perfectly. Excellent choices include Granny Smith (for tartness), McIntosh (for rich flavor), Jonagold (sweet-tart balance), Cortland (maintains shape and color), and Honeycrisp (sweet and crisp). Feel free to mix and match for complex flavors.

How do you thaw puff pastry?

The best way to thaw puff pastry is slowly in the refrigerator. If you’re using solid blocks of puff pastry, they typically require thawing overnight (around 8 hours) in the fridge. Pre-rolled puff pastry sheets usually thaw faster, in about 4 hours in the refrigerator. Always consult the specific instructions on your puff pastry package for optimal results.

What is coarse baking sugar?

Coarse baking sugar, also known as sanding sugar or pearl sugar, has larger granules than regular granulated sugar. It’s often used for decorating baked goods because it retains its shape and sparkle during baking, providing a delightful crunch and a professional, glittering finish. If you don’t have it, regular granulated sugar can be used, though it won’t offer the same textural contrast.

More Delicious Fall-Inspired Desserts to Try

If you loved these Air Fryer Apple Turnovers, be sure to explore more of our seasonal favorites:

• Air Fryer S’mores
• No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Pumpkin Fluff
• Cranberry Pretzel Salad
• Caramel Apple Dip