These Homemade Apple Pocket Pastries offer a delightful twist to traditional apple pies, filled with a rich apple filling and encased in a homemade flaky pastry, then finished with a smooth glaze. They’re perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or a cozy dessert.
Ingredients & Variations
- Puff Pastry: Create your own flaky pastry using basic ingredients like flour, butter, and a pinch of salt. Alternatively, ready-made puff pastry can save time.
- Apples: Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and firmness during baking, but feel free to experiment with other varieties like Braeburn or Honeycrisp for different flavors.
- Seasoning: Homemade apple pie spice enhances the filling, but you can easily substitute with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Egg Wash: Helps in sealing and giving the pastries a golden finish when baked.
- Glaze: A simple mix of confectioners’ sugar and milk adds a sweet touch to the pastries after baking.
Make-Ahead Tips
Prepare the apple filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator to assemble later more quickly. The uncooked pastries can also be frozen and baked fresh when needed, extending the preparation across several days.
Air Fryer Instructions
For an alternative cooking method, especially during warmer months, use an air fryer to achieve a crispy texture without turning on your oven. Air fry at 325°F (163°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Storage Solutions
Store cooked pastries in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and reheat as needed. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Apply the glaze after reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
Pastry
- ½ cup (120 mL) cold water
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups (284 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Apple Filling
- 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) water
Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 mL) whole milk
Instructions
Prepare the Pastry:
Dissolve salt in cold water. In a food processor, blend flour and butter until crumbly. Gradually add salt water, processing until dough forms.
Roll out dough on a floured surface into a 12×12 inch (30×30 cm) square, fold, wrap, and chill for an hour.
Make the Filling:
Combine apples, brown sugar, spice, cornstarch, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 12-14 minutes until apples are tender and mixture thickens. Cool before use.
Assemble the Pastries:
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Roll out chilled dough and cut into 5×5 inch (12.5×12.5 cm) squares.
Place apple filling in the center, brush edges with egg wash, fold into triangles, seal with a fork, and brush with egg wash.
Bake:
Arrange pastries on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden. Cool slightly before glazing.
Glaze:
Mix confectioners’ sugar with milk to a pourable consistency and drizzle over pastries.
Enjoy these delightful Apple Pocket Pastries fresh from the oven or as a sweet treat throughout the week!
