These easy vegan apple turnovers will make you feel like a pro pastry chef with very little effort required. Win/win!
This dessert is warm, autumnal, and super-satisfying. As my taste-tester (AKA my Australian boyfriend) noted, they are also sooo American. Sometimes, you just want warm cinnamon-y apples with cold vanilla ice cream, am I right? Even though these are vegan, they taste just like classic turnovers. I topped mine with vegan ice cream, but if you don't mind dairy, feel free to swap for your favourite classic vanilla.
The Two Main Components of Apple Turnovers
- Pastry: In this instance, I used a store-bought puff pastry to make the job a lot easier. I used Pampas puff pastry sheets, which just so happen to be accidentally vegan! (If you are vegan, just make sure not to get the classic version, not butter flavour. They aren't vegan-friendly.) All you need to do is let them thaw a bit and you're good.
- Filling: This easy filling comes together in one pan, with only a few ingredients. Vegan butter and brown sugar make for a classic home-baked taste, while arrowroot starch thickens it up. Nobody wants soupy pastries!
Classic Ingredients, Made Vegan-Friendly
This recipe only requires 7 ingredients (8 if you include ice cream), which is a bonus in my book. Vegan apple turnovers may sound elaborate, but they're quite simple when you use pre-made pastry.
- Puff Pastry: Frozen puff pastry is an easy shortcut that yields great results with little effort. I used Pampas puff pastry, as it's vegan.
- Apples: You can use any variety you like, but I stuck with Granny Smith to keep the sweet/sour balance that pairs so well with cinnamon and vanilla ice cream.
- Vegan butter: I used vegan butter to keep the classic rich, caramelised flavour. My choice was Nuttelex Buttery Spread (lol) for its butter taste. You could definitely swap this with coconut oil, though you may taste the coconut.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar is a must here. Melted with butter, it makes a nice caramel taste to accompany the sour apples.
- Salt: A pinch of salt goes a long way in baking. You don't taste it, but it helps the other flavours sing.
- Lemon juice: Similarly, you won't be able to taste lemon in the final result, it just adds a bit of brightness to the overall taste of the apple filling.
- Cinnamon: What would an apple dessert be without cinnamon. Don't miss out on this essential ingredient. Plus, it'll make your kitchen smell amazing while the turnovers are baking.
- Arrowroot starch: Adding this to the filling helps the apple mixture thicken, ideal for folding into pastry. Cornstarch works the same way, so substitute that if it's what you have on hand.
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Apple Turnovers
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 turnovers 1x
Description
These easy vegan apple turnovers are quick, easy, and delicious as a special dessert. Serve them with vegan ice cream for even more decadence.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry (vegan-friendly)
- 2 granny smith apples (diced)
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 pich salt
- ½ lemon (juiced)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (ground)
- 2 tsp arrowroot starch
Instructions
- Preheat Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
- Thaw Remove 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry from pack and allow to sit out and thaw for 15- 30 minutes.
- Dice Dice apples into small cubes, slightly smaller than 1cm.
- Heat Heat large, shallow non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add Once pan is heated, add vegan butter and brown sugar.
- Stir Stir the butter and brown sugar over medium heat constantly for about 2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and the sugar is melted.
- Add Add apple, pinch of salt, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Lower the heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Arrowroot Add arrowroot starch, stir to combine, and allow to simmer for 2 mins to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Cut Cut each puff pastry sheet in half, then cut each half in half to make 4 squares. This will leave you with 8 squares total.
- Fill Dollop about 2 tablespoon apple mixture into the centre of each square.
- Fold Grab one corner of the square and fold over the apple mixture to make a triangular-shaped pocket.
- Seal Seal each popover but pressing the edges of the triangle with a fork. Pierce the top of each popover, to let steam out while they bake.
- Bake Place the popovers on a baking tray lined with baking paper, leaving space between. Bake the popovers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry has risen and is golden brown in colour. They should feel crisp to the touch, and have a uniform gold colour.
- Serve Serve popovers warm, straight out of the oven or with a dollop of vegan ice cream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 353
- Fat: 22.5
- Carbohydrates: 36.9
- Protein: 4
Keywords: apple, turnover, vegan
jen
love these. definitely going to make them
★★★★★