Apple Turnovers Recipe

All-purpose flour: A versatile flour used as the base for the dough.

Vegan butter: A plant-based alternative to traditional butter, providing a rich and flaky texture.

Ice water: Helps to bring the dough together without warming the butter.

Apples: The star of the filling, providing sweetness and texture.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the apple filling.

Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the apples perfectly.

Lemon juice: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness.

Cornstarch: Thickens the apple filling for a perfect consistency.

When preparing the dough, ensure that the vegan butter is cold and cubed. This helps create a flaky texture in the pastry. Work quickly to combine the flour and butter to avoid melting the butter. If the dough becomes too warm, refrigerate it for a few minutes before rolling it out.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds more fiber and nutrients, making the turnovers slightly healthier.

• vegan butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and helps achieve a flaky texture in the pastry.

• ice water - Substitute with cold almond milk: Cold almond milk can help bind the dough while adding a subtle nutty flavor.

• apples - Substitute with pears: Pears offer a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good alternative to apples.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to the filling.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, spicy flavor that complements the fruit filling well.

• lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a similar acidity to balance the sweetness of the filling.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a natural thickener that works similarly to cornstarch in the filling.

• Allow the apple turnovers to cool completely at room temperature before storing or freezing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.

• For short-term storage, place the cooled turnovers in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• If you prefer to refrigerate, store the turnovers in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

• To freeze the turnovers, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for reference. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen turnovers in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the turnovers on a baking sheet and warm them for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and the pastry is crisp.

• For a microwave option, heat the turnovers on a microwave-safe plate for about 20-30 seconds. Note that the pastry may not be as crisp as when reheated in the oven.

• If you want to maintain the crispiness of the pastry, avoid reheating in the microwave and opt for the oven method instead.

• For added freshness, you can brush the turnovers with a bit of melted vegan butter before reheating in the oven. This will help to restore some of the original texture and flavor.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the apple turnovers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are warmed through and the pastry is crisp.

• For a quicker method, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the apple turnovers directly on the rack or on a small baking sheet. Heat for about 8-10 minutes.

• If you're in a hurry, the microwave can be used, though it may make the pastry less crisp. Place the apple turnovers on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 30-45 seconds. Check and add more time if necessary, but be cautious not to overheat.

• For an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the apple turnovers in the basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.

• If you have a stovetop griddle or skillet, you can reheat the apple turnovers over medium-low heat. Place them in the skillet and cover with a lid to help retain moisture. Heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until warmed through.

• Oven: Used to bake the turnovers at the required temperature of 400°F (200°C)

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the flour and vegan butter, and to mix the apple filling

• Plastic wrap: Used to wrap the dough and refrigerate it for 30 minutes

• Rolling pin: Used to roll out the dough on a floured surface

• Knife: Used to peel, core, and dice the apples

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely dice the apples

• Baking sheet: Used to place the turnovers on for baking

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the flour, sugar, and other ingredients

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch

• Spatula: Used to mix the apple filling and to help transfer the turnovers to the baking sheet

• Pastry brush: Optional, but can be used to brush a bit of water or vegan milk on the turnovers for a golden finish

Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch the night before. This allows the flavors to meld and saves time on baking day.

Use a food processor: Quickly combine the flour and vegan butter in a food processor to achieve coarse crumbs faster than by hand.

Pre-cut the dough: Roll out and cut the dough into squares while it’s still cold from the fridge. This makes it easier to handle and speeds up the assembly process.

Batch baking: Place multiple turnovers on a single baking sheet to bake them all at once, reducing overall cooking time.