Easy Fall Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers Two Ways

When the cricket song gets louder and the first apples are ripe for picking, it’s time to make these early fall apple turnovers. Learn how to make these easy puff pastry turnovers and two different, yet delicious autumn fillings.

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APPLE TURNOVERS FOR WHEN AUTUMN TUGS AT YOUR HEART

Few things get me as excited as the change in seasons.

Whether it’s the first dusting of snow; the budding trees in spring; or the heady fragrance of lilac; the transition into autumn has its own magic.

It’s when the garden is bursting with good things to eat and preserve.

Dusk comes earlier, the grasshoppers fly, and the crickets give their last encore.

When the calendar flips open to September and school is back in session, the apple orchards start opening for business.

The time has come to get cozy.

The candles come out, the tea kettle sees more action, and you have a yearning to bake.

PUFF PASTRY APPLE TURNOVERS RECIPE VIDEO

If this is your first time visiting the kitchen, you’re about to find out why I call my kitchen vintage… If you like my style, please consider subscribing to the Vintage Kitchen Vixen YouTube channel!

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RELATED: Vintage Autumn Bucket List Ideas

MEET MY BLOGGING FRIENDS!

This post is a bit special in nature because a group of my blogging friends got together for an apple-themed blog hop.

At the end of this post you will find photos and links to their recipes, so be sure to check those out for some extra autumn inspiration!

HOW THESE EARLY FALL APPLE TURNOVERS CAME ABOUT

My husband, big Papa, has this engrained habit of “first in, first out” when it comes to food. It comes from his kitchen training, and I’m perfectly aligned with him on this.

He also has this habit of not wanting to buy extra produce when we have similar produce at home. I also understand this, but am less aligned with him, because if I see a basket of gorgeous apples at the market, I can’t say no.

He may plea, “We already have apples at home!” but this falls on deaf ears. I cannot be swayed, but I also accept that these apples must be finished before I can crunch into my prize. What to do?

Well, when there are extra apples, there are apple turnovers to be made.

USING PUFF PASTRY TO MAKE TURNOVERS

Normally I encourage making almost everything from scratch. It tastes better that way! It’s a way to connect with your food and to put love and soul into what you’re making.

When it comes to puff pastry though, I like to cheat.

I have zero qualms with buying it from the store. In fact, I’m starting to think I should keep a steady supply in my frugal kitchen pantry!

When you’re busy and have seventy-six things to do, store bought puff pastry is the way to go.

EARLY FALL APPLE TURNOVERS VERSION ONE: RHUBARB GINGER

The first recipe for early fall apple turnovers invites late summer rhubarb to the counter. Maybe you have some in your backyard that still needs harvesting, or perhaps there’s a bag hidden away in your freezer like there is in mine. If not, you may still find it at your local market, and if that doesn’t work out, well, there’s another version up ahead.

In any case, raw honey sweetens up the filling, offsetting rhubarb’s tart taste.

Fresh ginger pairs well with both rhubarb and apple and adds warmth to the mix.

Finally, a squeeze of lemon brightens up the filling, pulling everything together.

The filling isn’t super sweet, but the turnover is finished with a generous sprinkling of sugar right before baking. You can always add more honey if you so desire–it’s easier to add sugar than it is to take it away.

IN CASE YOU HAVE EXTRA RHUBARB GINGER FILLING…

This rhubarb ginger filling makes a terrific topping for oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, and the like. I often only make one sheet’s worth of puff pastry for these turnovers and save the rest of the filling for breakfast.

EARLY FALL APPLE TURNOVERS VERSION TWO: MAPLE CHEDDAR

This is my Canadian coming out. Whenever I say maple, I mean the real deal. I’m talking about 100% pure maple syrup, which, in my books, is one of the best natural sweeteners out there. It’s up there with honey and dates.

One of my favourite pairings with maple is walnuts. It’s a classic combination which I use in other recipes, like my maple walnut fermented steel cut oats and maple bourbon cranberry sauce.

Despite the maple, it’s more savoury than the rhubarb ginger, thanks to the cheddar. I hope you like it as much as Big Papa and I do!

RHUBARB OR MAPLE?

I love both of these recipes, but anything with maple in it usually wins out.

Are you a maple junkie like I am, or are you more inspired by rhubarb?

I’m curious to see where your heart lies, so let me know in the comments below!

SHOP THIS POST:

Fleur de sel

RHUBARB GINGER APPLE TURNOVERS INGREDIENTS

MAKES 18 TURNOVERS

2 sheets puff pastry

1.5 cups apples, diced

1 cup rhubarb, sliced

3 tbsp honey

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp ginger, grated or minced

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 egg

sugar for dusting

RHUBARB GINGER APPLE TURNOVERS INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
2. Add all of the ingredients, save the puff pastry and the egg to the saucepan and stir around.
3. When the apples are soft and the preserve has thickened, remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 450ºF and beat the egg.
5. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out nine even sections from both sheets (3x3).
6. Spoon a tablespoon's worth of filling into the centre of the turnover.
7. Fold and lightly press the turnovers, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Brush with egg and generously sprinkle with sugar.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.

MAPLE CHEDDAR APPLE TURNOVERS INGREDIENTS

MAKES 6 TURNOVERS

1 sheet puff pastry

1.5 cups apples, diced

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

1 tbsp butter

1 egg

fleur de sel for sprinkling

MAPLE CHEDDAR APPLE TURNOVERS INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
2. Add all of the ingredients, save the puff pastry, cheese, and egg to the saucepan and stir around.
3. When the apples are soft remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 450ºF and beat the egg.
5. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out six even sections.
6. Divide the filling amongst the turnovers and sprinkle with a cheese.
7. Fold and lightly press the turnovers, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Brush with egg, crimp the edges with a fork, and sprinkle the tops with cheese and fleur de sel.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.

PRINTABLE EARLY FALL APPLE TURNOVERS RECIPE CARDS

PIN IT FOR LATER

GET INSPIRED WITH MORE DELICIOUS APPLE RECIPES

Apple Cider by Life on Leetown | Apple Pie Jam by Farmhouse Basic Collection | Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp by St. Martha’s Lens

Apple Cider Vinegar by Our Gabled Home | Instant Pot Apple Sauce by Hearty Sol | Apple Pie filling by Our Future Homestead

Apple Turnovers by Vintage Kitchen Vixen | Salted Caramel Apple Pie by The Blue Bonnet Homestead | Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal by Be Well Healthy Life

Love and gratitude,