Appelflappen: The Quintessential Dutch Apple Turnovers

Appelflappen are a cherished traditional pastry in the Netherlands, essentially a delicious hand pie. While you can readily find them in bakeries, local shops, and supermarkets across the country, many Dutch households prefer to prepare these sweet delights themselves. Why? Because they are surprisingly simple to make at home, offering a taste of authentic Dutch comfort with minimal effort.

At its heart, a Dutch apple turnover consists of a square of flaky puff pastry, generously filled with a medley of finely diced apples, fragrant cinnamon, and often a scattering of currants or raisins. Some variations might even include a touch of almond paste for added richness. This delightful filling mirrors the classic flavors of a traditional apple pie, but in a convenient, portable format. The pastry is then folded into a triangle, sealed, brushed with an egg wash for a beautiful golden sheen, and sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon before being baked to golden-brown perfection. The result is a warm, sweet, and comforting treat. Just a friendly warning: the apple filling can get incredibly hot, so allow your appelflappen to cool slightly before taking that first blissful bite to avoid burning your mouth!

It’s a common misconception that Appelflappen are the same as Appelbeignets (Dutch Apple Doughnuts), but there’s a significant difference. An appelbeignet involves a slice of apple coated in a light batter and deep-fried, traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Eve. Appelflappen, on the other hand, are baked puff pastry delights that are savored year-round, not exclusively during apple harvest season. Their enduring popularity makes them a perfect treat for any day, whether it’s a cozy afternoon snack or a special breakfast pastry. Now, let’s dive into making this easy appelflappen recipe!

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Dutch Apple Turnovers

Crafting these delectable Dutch Appelflappen requires just a few simple, high-quality ingredients. You’ll find the precise measurements detailed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page, but here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe shine:

• Apples: The heart of your turnover! For the best texture and flavor, choose firm, slightly tart apples that hold their shape well when baked. Excellent choices include Elstar, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Cox, or even Granny Smith for a tarter note. Peel and slice them into small, uniform cubes for even cooking. Avoid overly soft or “stewing” apples like Golden Reinette or Pippin, as they can become mushy during baking, compromising the filling’s texture.
• Puff Pastry: The foundation of a perfect Appelflap is its flaky, golden crust. This recipe calls for pre-portioned slices of butter puff pastry, typically around 4×4 inches (10×10 cm). You can use either fresh or frozen puff pastry, but if using frozen, ensure it’s fully thawed according to package instructions before you begin. Working with cold pastry is crucial for flakiness, so keep it chilled until ready to use. If your pastry sheets are larger, simply use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to trim them to the desired size. You’ll need six sheets for this recipe.
• Egg: A single egg, lightly beaten, creates the essential egg wash. This serves two vital purposes: it gives the puff pastry a beautiful, glossy, golden-brown finish as it bakes, and it acts as a “glue” for the cinnamon sugar, ensuring it adheres perfectly to the top of your turnovers.
• Sugar and Cinnamon: These two ingredients are fundamental for both the apple filling and the sparkling topping. The sugar sweetens the apples and caramelizes beautifully on the pastry, while cinnamon adds that classic warm, aromatic spice that pairs so perfectly with apples. For a slightly different flavor profile, consider using apple pie spice as a substitute for cinnamon, offering a blend of spices like nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.
• Raisins: These add pockets of chewy sweetness and a traditional touch to the apple filling. While some people prefer to omit them, they contribute a lovely texture and a burst of natural sugar that complements the apples and cinnamon wonderfully. If you’re not a fan, feel free to skip them or substitute with finely chopped dried apricots for a tropical twist, or even dried cranberries for a touch of tartness. For extra plumpness, you can soak the raisins in warm water or a touch of rum for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the filling.
• Optional Additions: A tiny pinch of salt in the apple filling can help balance the sweetness, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten the apple flavor.

How to Prepare Delicious Apple Cinnamon Turnovers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making these Appelflappen is a straightforward and rewarding process. You’ll find a complete printable recipe with detailed step-by-step instructions at the very bottom of this blog post. Follow these steps to create your own batch of delightful Dutch apple turnovers:

1. Prepare the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine your diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. Stir everything together gently until the apples are evenly coated. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
2. Assemble the Turnovers: Lay a sheet of puff pastry flat on your clean work surface. Spoon about two tablespoons of the apple filling onto one corner of the pastry sheet. Be sure to leave a ½ inch (1 cm) border around the edges of the pastry — this helps ensure a good seal and prevents filling from oozing out.
3. Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the puff pastry sheet in half, creating a triangle shape that encloses the apple filling. Press down firmly along the edges with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to crimp and seal the edges securely. This creates a decorative pattern and locks in all that delicious filling.
4. Prepare for Baking: Gently transfer the unbaked turnover onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat the process for the remaining puff pastry sheets and apple filling, spacing them out evenly on the baking tray to allow for air circulation.
5. Egg Wash and Sugar Topping: Using a pastry brush, generously coat the top of each puff pastry turnover with the beaten egg wash. This will help them turn beautifully golden. In a small bowl, mix the extra cinnamon and sugar, then liberally sprinkle this mixture over the egg-washed turnovers. The egg wash will help the sugar stick, creating a wonderfully crisp, sweet crust.
6. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking tray in your preheated oven at 390 °F (200 °C) and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the turnovers are puffed, golden brown, and delightfully crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-browning.

Serving Your Appelflappen: Once baked, the aroma filling your kitchen will be incredible! Allow the hot apple turnovers to cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving. This not only prevents you from burning your mouth on the piping hot apple filling but also allows the pastry to set and become even crispier. Enjoy them warm for the ultimate comfort food experience!

Tips for Perfect Appelflappen Every Time

• Keep Pastry Cold: Puff pastry works best when cold. If it gets too warm and sticky, pop it back into the fridge for 10-15 minutes before continuing.
• Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can make sealing difficult and lead to leakage during baking. Stick to about two tablespoons per turnover.
• Seal Well: A good crimp with a fork is essential to prevent the filling from escaping.
• Even Baking: Ensure your oven is fully preheated. If baking multiple trays, rotate them halfway through for even browning.

Substitutes & Delicious Variations

While the classic apple-cinnamon-raisin combination is a winner, feel free to get creative with your Appelflappen filling:

• Pear Turnovers: Substitute the apples entirely with finely diced pears for a subtle, sweet alternative. A pinch of ginger or cardamom would complement pears beautifully.
• Fruity Twist: Instead of raisins, try small, diced pieces of dried apricot or cranberries for a different fruit note and texture.
• Nutty Crunch: Add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple filling for an extra layer of flavor and a delightful crunch.
• Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest mixed into the apple filling can brighten the flavors considerably.
• Almond Paste: For a truly traditional Dutch twist, add a small piece (about 1 teaspoon) of almond paste to the center of the apple filling before folding. It adds a rich, sweet, and nutty depth.

Delicious with…

Appelflappen are wonderful on their own, but a few additions can elevate the experience:

• Dust them with a delicate sprinkle of powdered sugar once cooled.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
• Pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea.
• For a sophisticated touch, a drizzle of caramel sauce can be heavenly.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Appelflappen (Dutch Apple Turnovers)

Andréa

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