12 Easy Apple Pastry Recipes

Few things make a kitchen feel cozier than the smell of apples and cinnamon baking together. Add buttery pastry to the mix, and suddenly an ordinary afternoon has all the makings of a special treat.

The best part is that you don’t need to spend hours making pastry from scratch to get that bakery-worthy result. Store-bought puff pastry, crescent dough, and refrigerated pie crust can do plenty of the heavy lifting while you focus on the delicious part — the apples.

From crisp, golden turnovers to elegant apple roses and gooey caramel-filled pastries, these easy apple pastry recipes offer something for every kind of baker.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend dessert, a beautiful brunch centerpiece, or an impressive treat that looks much harder than it is, you’ll find a recipe worth trying here.

1. Classic Apple Turnovers

Apple turnovers are a classic for good reason. Crisp puff pastry surrounds a warmly spiced apple filling, and a quick vanilla glaze gives each pastry a bakery-style finish.

Using store-bought puff pastry keeps this recipe wonderfully simple.

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
3. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the apples and stir until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
5. Cut the puff pastry into four equal squares.
6. Place a spoonful of apple filling in the center of each square. Fold each pastry diagonally to form a triangle and press the edges firmly with a fork.
7. Brush with beaten egg and cut a small slit in the top of each turnover.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until puffed and golden.
9. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together. Drizzle over the cooled turnovers.

Tip: Let the apple filling cool before adding it to the pastry. Hot filling can make the dough difficult to seal and bake properly.

2. Easy Apple Galette

A galette is essentially the wonderfully unfussy cousin of apple pie. There is no complicated crimping or perfectly shaped pie crust required.

The edges are folded casually over the apples, giving this dessert its charming rustic appearance.

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the pie crust on the baking sheet.
3. Toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
4. Arrange the apples in the center of the crust, leaving about a 2-inch border.
5. Dot the apples with butter.
6. Fold the edges of the crust over the apples, leaving the center exposed.
7. Brush the crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
9. Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an especially cozy dessert.

3. Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Braid

This pastry looks elaborate enough for a holiday brunch, but the secret is refrigerated puff pastry. The simple braided design gives it plenty of visual appeal without requiring advanced pastry skills.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup caramel sauce
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the apples are slightly softened. Cool completely.
4. Roll the puff pastry into a rectangle and place it on the baking sheet.
5. Spread the caramel sauce down the center third of the pastry, then spoon the cooled apples over it.
6. Cut diagonal strips along both sides of the pastry, stopping before reaching the filling.
7. Fold alternating strips over the apple mixture to create a braid.
8. Brush the pastry with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until deeply golden and puffed.
10. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce before serving.

Easy shortcut: Use your favorite prepared caramel sauce instead of making caramel from scratch.

4. Apple Cinnamon Danish

Cream cheese and cinnamon apples make a particularly delicious pairing in this easy Danish. Puff pastry provides the flaky base, while a simple drizzle adds just enough sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg, beaten

For the glaze

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Cut the puff pastry into four rectangles.
4. Score a smaller rectangle inside each piece, leaving a border around the edge. Don’t cut all the way through.
5. Spread the cream cheese mixture inside the scored area.
6. Toss the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, then arrange them over the cream cheese.
7. Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden and puffed.
9. Mix the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled Danishes.

These are especially good served slightly warm with coffee.

5. Mini Apple Hand Pies

When you want apple pie without making an entire pie, hand pies are the answer. These little pastries are easy to portion, easy to transport, and wonderfully crisp around the edges.

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
3. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Let cool.
4. Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into 4-inch circles.
5. Place a tablespoon of apple filling in the center of half of the circles.
6. Cover with the remaining dough circles and press the edges together with a fork.
7. Cut a small slit in each top.
8. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
9. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown.

For an extra treat, serve them with a small bowl of vanilla icing for dipping.

6. Apple Rose Pastries

If you’re looking for the recipe most likely to make everyone reach for their phone camera, this is it.

Thin apple slices are arranged over strips of puff pastry and rolled into delicate roses. They look intricate, but the technique is surprisingly approachable.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 red apples
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam
• 1 tablespoon water
• Powdered sugar for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 6-cup muffin pan.
2. Cut the apples in half, remove the cores, and slice them very thinly.
3. Place the slices in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and microwave for about 1 minute, just until flexible.
4. Roll the puff pastry into a rectangle and cut it into six long strips.
5. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
6. Brush each pastry strip with the butter mixture.
7. Arrange overlapping apple slices along the top half of each strip, allowing the rounded edges to extend slightly beyond the pastry.
8. Fold the bottom half of the pastry over the apples.
9. Roll each strip from one end to the other to create a rose shape.
10. Place each pastry into a muffin cup.
11. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
12. Warm the apricot jam with the water and brush it lightly over the finished pastries.
13. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Presentation tip: Choose apples with naturally red or pink skins for the prettiest petals.

7. Simple French Apple Tart

This elegant tart proves that simple ingredients can make a beautiful dessert. Thin apple slices are arranged in overlapping rows over buttery pastry, then finished with a glossy apricot glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Score a 1-inch border around the pastry without cutting completely through.
4. Arrange the apple slices inside the border, overlapping them slightly.
5. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then brush with melted butter.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender.
7. Warm the apricot preserves with the water until smooth.
8. Brush the glaze over the warm apples.
9. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

The secret to its elegant appearance is slicing the apples as thinly and evenly as possible.

8. Easy Apple Strudel

Traditional strudel can involve delicate pastry work, but this shortcut version swaps in puff pastry for a much easier approach.

The filling is packed with tender apples, cinnamon, raisins, and a little brown sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• Powdered sugar for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the apples with raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
3. Roll the puff pastry into a rectangle.
4. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs down the center, leaving a border around the edges.
5. Spoon the apple mixture over the breadcrumbs and drizzle with melted butter.
6. Fold the pastry over the filling, sealing the edges firmly.
7. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
8. Brush with beaten egg and cut several small vents in the top.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Cool slightly and dust generously with powdered sugar.

The breadcrumbs help absorb excess apple juices so the pastry stays crisp.

9. Apple Pie Crescent Rolls

Need dessert in a hurry? These apple pie crescent rolls are one of the easiest recipes on the list.

Refrigerated crescent dough wraps around thin apple slices coated in cinnamon and brown sugar, creating little golden pastries in minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 large apple, peeled and cut into 8 thin wedges
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven according to the crescent dough package directions, usually around 375°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles.
4. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Brush each dough triangle with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture.
6. Place an apple wedge at the wide end of each triangle.
7. Roll the dough around the apple and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
8. Brush the tops with a little more butter.
9. Bake according to the package directions, usually 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

For a dessert-like finish, drizzle the warm rolls with vanilla icing.

10. Apple Cinnamon Puff Pastry Squares

These individual pastry squares are ideal when you want something that looks polished without a complicated recipe.

A layer of sliced apples sits on flaky puff pastry beneath a buttery cinnamon crumble.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the crumble

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cold butter

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the puff pastry into six squares.
3. Score a small border around each square.
4. Toss the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
5. Arrange the apples inside the pastry borders.
6. Mix the flour, oats, and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
7. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apples.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Serve with vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels much more elaborate than it is.

11. Apple Turnover Bread Pudding

Here’s a clever way to turn leftover pastries into something completely new. Flaky apple pastries are layered into a creamy custard and baked until the top is golden and crisp.

It’s an especially good choice for brunch or a cozy family dessert.

Ingredients

• 4 plain or apple turnovers, cut into pieces
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for 5 minutes.
3. Arrange the turnover pieces in the baking dish and scatter the cooked apples throughout.
4. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla.
5. Pour the custard evenly over the pastry.
6. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes so the pastry can absorb some of the custard.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

A drizzle of caramel sauce makes this particularly indulgent.

12. Apple and Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Not every apple pastry needs to be dessert. These bite-sized pastries combine sweet apples, creamy Brie, flaky puff pastry, and a touch of honey for an easy appetizer.

They’re just as appropriate for a holiday gathering as they are for a relaxed weekend brunch.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 small apple, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces Brie, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 egg, beaten
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 12-cup mini muffin pan.
2. Cut the puff pastry into 12 squares.
3. Press one pastry square into each muffin cup.
4. Add a small piece of Brie and a few thin apple slices to each cup.
5. Drizzle lightly with honey and sprinkle with thyme.
6. Brush the exposed pastry edges with beaten egg.
7. Add a tiny pinch of salt to each.
8. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden and the cheese is melted.
9. Drizzle with a little more honey just before serving.

For the best texture, serve these warm while the Brie is still soft.

Which apple pastry should you make first

If you’re after maximum simplicity, start with the apple pie crescent rolls or puff pastry squares.

For a classic dessert everyone recognizes, the apple turnovers and mini hand pies are excellent choices.

Want something that makes a statement on the dessert table? Go for the apple rose pastries or French apple tart.

And if you’re hosting brunch or a party, the apple cinnamon Danishes and apple-Brie puff pastry bites offer an easy way to turn everyday ingredients into something special.

Whichever recipe you choose, keep one thing in mind: the best apple pastries don’t need complicated techniques. A few good apples, a package of flaky pastry, warm spices, and a little time in the oven can create something that looks — and tastes — like it came straight from your favorite bakery.