Air Fryer Turnovers: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient way to make apple turnovers, a delicious dessert that can be served hot or cold, with or without cream. The cooking process is faster than baking in an oven, and the results are perfect golden-brown, crispy, flaky pastries with a soft, sweet filling. You can use store-bought puff pastry, or make your own, and fill it with stewed cinnamon apples, or other fruit fillings of your choice.

Choosing the right apples

You can also use a combination of sweet and sour apples to add some extra depth of flavour to your turnovers. Piñata® apples are a good choice for pastries because of their natural sweetness. When cutting apples for turnovers, be sure to cut them into evenly sized chunks to ensure they cook evenly.

Preparing the filling

For apple turnovers, you can use any type of apple you have on hand, but Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn apples are excellent choices as they hold their shape and have a good balance of sweet and tart flavours. Peel and cut the apples into thin slices or cubes. You can also use pineapples or peaches instead of apples.

Add your chosen fruit to a bowl and mix with cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice. You can also add nutmeg, maple syrup, or cornstarch to enhance the flavour and help thicken the juices. Leave the mixture to sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.

If you want to make a savoury filling, you can use ingredients like cheese, bacon, or sausage.

Once your filling is mixed, spoon it onto puff pastry squares, leaving a small border around the edges. You can also use crescent roll dough or a homemade pastry dough instead of puff pastry.

Preparing the puff pastry

Thaw the Puff Pastry:

Take your puff pastry out of the freezer and let it thaw. This step is important as it makes the pastry easier to handle and reduces the risk of it breaking or tearing when you unfold and cut it. Ideally, leave the puff pastry in the fridge overnight to thaw slowly. If you're short on time, you can leave it on the counter until it's no longer brittle and has softened, but is still cold.

Roll and Cut the Pastry:

Once your puff pastry sheet has thawed, it's time to roll it out. Lightly flour your work surface to prevent sticking, and then place the pastry sheet on top. Use a rolling pin to roll it out slightly, aiming for an even thickness of around 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This thickness will ensure the pastry cooks evenly without being too thin and fragile or too thick and undercooked. After rolling, use a sharp knife, pizza wheel, or pizza cutter to cut the sheet into four equal squares.

Assemble the Turnovers:

Now it's time to add the filling. Spoon an equal amount of your chosen filling (such as apple mixture or cherry pie filling) onto one half of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges. Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause leaks and make sealing difficult. Fold the pastry over the filling to form a triangle, and then press the edges together to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure a tight seal, reducing the chances of leaks during cooking.

Egg Wash:

Lightly beat an egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Brush the top of each turnover with the egg wash. This step will give your turnovers a beautiful golden sheen and help seal any small cracks. For added sweetness and a crunchy texture, sprinkle the tops of the turnovers with a little granulated or sparkling sugar.

Your puff pastry is now ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked according to your recipe instructions. Remember to preheat your air fryer if needed and cook in batches if necessary, as you don't want your turnovers touching during the cooking process. Enjoy the delicious results of your efforts!

Assembling the turnovers

Step 1: Preparing the filling

Combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix until the apples are evenly coated. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to let the flavours meld together and the cornstarch to thicken the juices.

Step 2: Preparing the puff pastry

On a lightly floured surface, unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and roll it out slightly to even it out. Cut the sheet into four equal squares.

Step 3: Assembling the turnovers

Spoon an equal amount of the apple mixture onto half of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the pastry over the filling to form a triangle. Press the edges of the pastry together to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork to ensure they are well sealed.

Step 4: Egg wash

Lightly beat an egg in a small bowl. Brush the top of each turnover with the egg wash. For added sweetness and texture, sprinkle the tops with a little granulated or sparkling sugar.

Cooking and reheating

The cooking time for apple turnovers in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the model of the air fryer. Most recipes suggest cooking the turnovers for around 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175-180°C), or until they are golden brown. Some recipes suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 390°F (198°C) for 12 minutes, or 360°F for 14 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the turnovers to ensure they do not burn, and some recipes suggest flipping the turnovers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

When cooking apple turnovers in an air fryer, it is not always necessary to preheat the air fryer beforehand. However, if your model requires preheating, make sure to do so for 2-3 minutes before adding the turnovers.

To reheat apple turnovers in an air fryer, set the temperature to 300-400°F (149-204°C) and cook for a few minutes until heated through and slightly crispy.

Tips for Cooking and Reheating

• If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, it is recommended to spray it with a non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper before adding the turnovers to prevent sticking.
• When cooking or reheating, make sure the turnovers are in a single layer and not touching each other to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the turnovers in batches.
• For a shiny, golden finish, brush the turnovers with an egg wash before cooking or reheating.
• To add extra sweetness and texture, sprinkle the turnovers with granulated or sparkling sugar before cooking.
• To prevent the filling from leaking, avoid overfilling the turnovers and seal the edges tightly by pressing them together and crimping with a fork.
• For added flavour, brush the tops of the turnovers with melted butter during the cooking process.

Frequently asked questions