Say hello to my new fall obsession—Apple Pastries, a quick and easy apple dessert! Whether you’re a die-hard apple fan like me or just someone who loves desserts that make your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery, these are about to become your go-to treat.
Sometimes called apple pastry rings or apple ring pastry, they are made with crisp apple rings, wrapped in flaky puff pastry, dusted with cinnamon sugar, and baked until golden brown.
These hand-held bites of heaven are perfect for breakfast on the run or even as an after-school snack for the kids. Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and they morph into a delicious dessert.
And the best part? As these apple ring pastries bake, they fill your kitchen with the cozy, inviting scent of cinnamon and baked apples, making the whole process feel like a treat before you even take the first bite!
Jump to:
Why I love this recipe, and you will too!
- Like my Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix, with just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a bakery.
- Imagine biting into a flaky puff pastry, only to discover the warm, cinnamon-scented apple inside that practically screams ‘fall is here!’ It’s like having a bite of autumn with every crunch.
- Apple pastries are quick and easy to make and have the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Ingredient notes
- Puff pastry dough: I used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Dough, but you can use any kind you like or have on hand. You need the ready-to-bake sheets.
- Apples: Personally, I’m all about Honeycrisp or Granny Smith—both have that perfect mix of sweet and tart. But hey, use whatever baking apples you’ve got on hand. They’ll still turn out amazing! I don’t usually peel them, but feel free to peel yours.
- Butter: Butter makes everything better, and in this recipe, it contributes to the rich buttery taste of the pastry.
- Granulated sugar and cinnamon: If you ate cinnamon toast as a kid, you know how much flavor this simple combination of ingredients provides.
Specific measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to make apple pastries
- Thaw the puff pastry dough according to the package directions and lay it flat. Use a sharp knife, pie, or pastry cutter to cut the sheets horizontally into 12 equal strips a little less than a half-inch wide.
- Cut the tops and bottoms off your apples and then slice them horizontally into half-inch thick rings. Depending on the size of your apples, you should be able to get about 3-4 rings out of each apple.
- Use a small biscuit cutter or apple corer to punch a hole in the center of each apple slice. If you use an apple corer, you might have to enlarge the hole a bit.
- Thread each apple ring with a strip of puff pastry dough, looping it around to cover the apple completely.
- Transfer your apple ring pastries to a large baking sheet, and then brush the tops with butter using a pastry brush. Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and lightly sprinkle it over the tops.
- Bake the apple pastries for about 15 minutes in a preheated 400°F oven or until golden brown. Pop these beauties out of the oven, give them a minute to cool (if you can resist!), and dive in. Trust me, your kitchen will never smell this good again!
Serving suggestions
- I love serving these little bites of heaven for breakfast—because if apple pastries aren’t a good reason to get out of bed, I don’t know what is! I like to serve them with my cast iron breakfast skillet, mushroom and broccoli frittata, or spinach and bacon quiche, along with a slice of sausage cheese bread.
- When I serve them for dessert, I top each apple pastry with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a little caramel sauce.
Recipe variations
- Instead of just cinnamon and sugar on the pastry, dust the apple slices with apple pie spice and brown sugar before wrapping them, and they will taste very much like a bite of apple pie.
- Feeling extra fancy? Drizzle a little icing on top because why not make these even more irresistible? Mix one cup of powdered sugar and two tablespoons of milk and spoon over the tops.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Apple pastries are best served warm after baking. Leftovers can be stored on the counter in an airtight container for up to four days.
The best way to reheat them is to preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the apple pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reheat for about 5–10 minutes or until warmed through and the puff pastry is crisp again.
If you need a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place the pastry on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 15–20 seconds. But know that this may make the pastry soggy.
Recipe Q&A
You want to use apples with a firm texture that will soften in the oven and hold their shape instead of turning mushy. I like to use either Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. However, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Fuji, and Gala can also be used, as well.
Apple pastries is a catchall name for apple pies, tarts, turnovers, crumbles, and crisps.
Yes, you can substitute pie dough, but the texture will be different because puff pastry has a lighter, flakier texture, while pie dough is thicker and less light or airy. Crescent roll dough can also be substituted.
Toss the apple slices in water with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. You can store the apple slices in the lemon water solution in the fridge for a few hours before wrapping them in the pastry. Just be sure to pat dry the slices before wrapping.
Insider tips for perfect results
Make sure the puff pastry stays cold until you’re ready to work with it. It can become difficult to handle if it gets too warm and will not puff up as much when baking. If it feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.
A light dusting of cinnamon sugar is all you need. Too much can cause the pastries to become soggy as the sugar melts during baking. You are looking for a thin, even coating.
Keep an eye on your pastries as they bake. They can quickly go from golden to overdone, and all ovens bake differently, so check them a few minutes before the recommended baking time is up to make sure they don’t burn.
More easy apple recipes
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
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Easy Apple Pastries with Puff Pastry
Ingredients
- 2 ready-to-bake sheets of puff pastry dough
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled or unpeeled
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Thaw the puff pastry dough according to the package directions and lay it flat. Use a sharp knife, pie, or pastry cutter to cut the sheets horizontally into 12 equal strips a little less than a half-inch wide.
- Cut the tops and bottoms off your apples and then slice them horizontally into half-inch thick rings. Depending on the size of your apples, you should be able to get about 3-4 rings out of each apple.
- Use a small biscuit cutter or apple corer to punch a hole in the center of each apple slice. If you use an apple corer, you might have to enlarge the hole a bit.
- Thread each apple ring with a strip of puff pastry dough, looping it around to cover the apple completely.
- Transfer your apple ring pastries to a large baking sheet, and then brush the tops with butter using a pastry brush. Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and lightly sprinkle it over the tops.
- Bake the apple pastries for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately while still warm, and enjoy!
Sharon Rigsby
I love this recipe because, besides the great taste, you can whip up a dessert with just a few simple ingredients that look and taste like it came from a bakery.