Curried Apple Turnovers
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Mar 22, 2024 
Fragrant crispy Curried Apple Turnovers with tender apples inside.
My family always looks forward to apple picking this time of year. The kids enjoy climbing up on daddy’s broad shoulders to reach for juicy autumn orbs tucked beneath leafy branches.
They get even more excited about all the other glorious things you find at an apple orchard… Farm animals to feed, hay rides, play areas, and decedent apple treats!
Henderson county, just south of us, is known for having more apple orchards than any other county in the US. (Yes, that includes Michigan and Washington.)
Who knew that this little corner of western North Carolina could produce such apples!
We have visited our fair share of apple orchards over the last decade and have firmly decided on a favorite, Sky Top Orchard. As noted by it’s name, Sky Top Orchard is located on a mountain top in Flat Rock, North Carolina.
With lush mountain views in all directions, why would you want to pick apples any where else?
Plus, they have great variety in the orchard, a well-stocked apple emporium, and plenty of extra attractions to keep the kiddos busy long after the bushels are filled to the brim.
As if that weren’t enough, they also sell hot fresh apple-cider donuts. After your first bite of these supple, sugar-crusted rings, you don’t know whether to swear, thank God, and cry out of utter bliss!
Alright, enough about the donuts.
While I’m pondering the possibility of recreating them, I’d like to offer you another apple treat that is perfectly lovely in its own right. Curried Apple Turnovers are one of my favorite fall snacks. They are cute, easy to take with you, and full of flavor.
There is only one problem with making apple sweets. When you bring home bushels of apples from the orchard, you start to worry about monotony. After all, what better accents apples than cinnamon?
Yet if you spice all your apples with cinnamon, it doesn’t matter whether you make turnovers, pies, crisps, cakes, or muffins. You end up with same flavor.
As a girl who likes a lot of variety, I’ve been experimenting with different flavor profiles to complement apples.
I’ve found that curry powder and garam masala do wonders to spice up savory or sweet apple dishes. Both are Indian spice blends usually containing a little cinnamon. Yet, you also get a bit of coriander, clove, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, and cardamom as well.
These extra spices provide rich depth to your apple treats… And the element of surprise!
I’ve noticed that if you don’t tell your taste-testers what your secret ingredient is, they will devour several hand pies while contemplating the possibilities, and still may never figure it out!
The touch of curry in these crispy Curried Apple Turnovers adds that little extra something, without overpowering the apple goodness.
Curried Apple Turnovers
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 2 Granny Smith apples, medium
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water
- Turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Peel and chop the apples into ¼ inch cubes. Mix the apple cubes with the raisins, orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, flour, garam masala, curry powder, and salt.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 9 squares and place them on baking stones or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Gently roll out each square into a diamond shape. Top each diamond with a tablespoon of apple mixture.
- Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush the egg wash over the edges of the diamond. Then fold the dough over the apple mixture and crimp the edges with a fork.
- Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar. Bake for 17-20 minutes until golden brown on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
MMMM, those look great. One of my favorite recipes is curried peaches. I've never tried it with any other fruit but am going to try curried apples soon :-) Kate @kateiscooking
Those look wonderful. I never thought to put curry powder in sweet dishes before. Sounds like a great combo. I love going apple picking. I never knew that apples grew in NC, never mind that the state grew so many. Thanks for sharing.
The curry in the turnovers really puts a new spin on a very popular old favorite. I think it would be a wonderful addition. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Very creative flavor combination! It sounds delicious though and I'd be more than willing to taste test ;o) And thanks for mentioning apple cider donuts, I will be craving them all day now LOL
What an interesting flavor combo! Very creative. I love apple orchards, and making turnovers with your bounty is the perfect way to use them:)
Oh, you're killing me. These look incredible. I have everything I need to make them. Must….use….willpower. If I had any. Another recipe to print and make. (Thanks!)
I wish I had one of these with my coffee right now! Fall is in the air and apple turnovers flavored with a savory touch of curry and garam masala – brilliantly delicious. Yum!
garam masala is an inspired choice for a dessert. going to try that asap.
kinda funny, but the folks who grow the most apples don't necessarily grow the best. there's a little place in western maryland called McCutheon's that makes some great apple products. and my personal all time favorite apple is a Colorado Western Slope honeycrisp.
cheers!
I can't think of a better treat with a cup of coffee than these apple turnovers; the spice mix is so unusual yet so complementary to the apples!
Those turnovers are beautiful! Very original with that addition of curry.
Cheers,
Rosa
Pretty little turnovers you got there. I love apple season. Fall is my favorite time of the year.
I love the curry and garam masala with the apples. I might need to try that.