These Puff Pastry Apple Donuts are such a cozy, warm, tasty treat! This is such a perfect dessert for those colder days! These puff pastry donuts are so easy to make by wrapping cut apples in puff pastry, brushing an egg wash on top and adding cinnamon sugar all over the tops and baking for a couple minutes! These came out so yummy and adorable!
Do you love using puff pastry sheets to keep your life easier? I do too! Here are some of my favorite recipes using puff pastry:
- Ground Beef Wellington Recipe – looks & tastes fancy…so easy!
- Easy Beef Empanadas
- easy Puff Pastry Rhubarb Tartlets
- Puff Pastry Tomato Tart
Use store-bought puff pastry to keep these easy version of apple donuts easy and gorgeous! Perfect for a family treat as well as a fancy dinner. In just 25 minutes, you’ll be savoring warm, cinnamon-sugar goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe is simple and easy. Try it once, and you’ll find yourself making these treats over and over again, especially in apple season!
Key Ingredients:
- Puff Pastry: You can use store-bought puff pastry for convenience, but if you prefer, homemade puff pastry works great too.
- Apples: Choose firm and slightly tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for the best results. However, you can use your favorite apple type if desired.
- Egg: For the egg wash, make sure to beat the egg thoroughly with a little water before brushing it onto the doughnuts. This gives them a beautiful golden finish.
- Cinnamon Sugar: You can prepare your own cinnamon sugar mixture by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to taste. Adjust the ratio to suit your preference for sweetness and spice.
What type of apples would be good for this recipe?
When it comes to choosing apples for this yummy puff pastry apple doughnuts recipe, it’s best to opt for varieties that hold their shape and offer a pleasant balance of sweetness and tartness. Some excellent choices include Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples.
Step by Step Instructions:
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to help keep the puff pastry brown on the bottom.
Preparing the Apples:
- Wash, peel, and core the apples.
- Slice the apples into rounds, and if you’d like, use a small round cutter to remove the centers, creating a donut shape. (Tip: A melon baller or the big side of an icing tip works well for this.)
- If you prefer not to create a donut shape, simply slice the apples without removing the centers.
Wrapping with Puff Pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into thin strips.
- Wrap the puff pastry strips around the apple slices, ensuring they are securely wrapped. You can either go through the hole in the center or place the end in the hole and wrap it to the other side before tearing off the excess.
- Press the edges to seal the puff pastry around the apples.
Egg Wash and Cinnamon Sugar:
- In a bowl, beat the egg with a little water to create an egg wash.
- Use a pastry brush to generously brush the egg wash over the top of each doughnut. This will give them a golden-brown color when baked.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top of each doughnut.
Baking:
- Place the prepared apple doughnuts on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet with some space between them to allow for even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the doughnuts are golden brown, and the puff pastry is puffed and flaky. (Tip: Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.)
Cooling and Serving:
- Remove the doughnuts from the oven and allow them to cool slightly until warm.
- Serve these warm and yummy puff pastry donuts either as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
How thin should I slice the apples?
When it comes to this puff pastry apple doughnuts recipe, aim for slices that are just right in thickness. You’ll want to make the slices thin enough to easily fit inside the puff pastry, but thick enough to provide a satisfying bite. I would suggest slicing the apples to be about 1/4 inch thick.
How do you keep puff pastry from getting soggy on the bottom?
To keep your puff pastry from turning disappointingly soggy on the bottom, remember these two magic words: preheat and elevate. Firstly, be sure to preheat your oven to the specified temperature before popping those delectable doughnuts in. This ensures that the pastry sets swiftly, reducing the risk of sogginess. Secondly, create a barrier between your pastry and the baking sheet by using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This simple step allows air to circulate beneath the pastry, preventing any unwanted moisture buildup.
Here are some additional tips to make the most out of using puff pastry:
- Keep it cold: Puff pastry loves the cold, so make sure to work with chilled dough. Thaw it in the refrigerator according to package instructions and try to handle it as quickly as possible to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Flour your surface: When rolling out puff pastry, you need a lightly floured surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking. Be gentle and avoid exerting too much pressure, as you want to maintain those lovely layers.
- Use a light touch: When folding or shaping puff pastry, be gentle and use a light touch to avoid squashing the layers. Let the pastry do its magical puffing in the oven!
- Prick or score: To prevent the pastry from puffing too much in certain areas, prick it lightly with a fork or score it gently with a knife before baking. This helps release steam and keeps the pastry flatter.
- Egg wash for shine: For a beautiful golden finish, brush your puff pastry with an egg wash before baking. Whisk an egg with a little water or milk and lightly brush it onto the pastry for a shiny and appetizing appearance.
- Plan ahead: Puff pastry requires some time to thaw and chill properly, so plan your recipe accordingly. Read the package instructions and allow yourself enough time for preparation and resting periods.
Store and reheat puff pastry donuts:
While these apple donuts are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, you can absolutely store and reheat them! Simply store them in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to 2 days on the counter. When you’re ready to indulge again, just pop them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to warm them up. The puff pastry will regain some of its crispiness by using the oven.
Variations to try:
- Spiced Apple: Sprinkle some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice on top of the cinnamon sugar for a warm and cozy twist.
- Caramel Apple: Drizzle some gooey caramel sauce over the doughnuts before baking or serve as a dipping sauce for an caramel apple experience.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the cinnamon sugar topping for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Apple Pie Filling: Enhance the apple filling by tossing the sliced apples with a touch of lemon juice, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of additional spices like cinnamon or cardamom before wrapping in the puff pastry dough.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Assemble a cream cheese filling by combining cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Pipe or spoon a dollop of the filling into the center of each doughnut.
Puff Pastry Apple Doughnuts
Ingredients
- 1 box of Puff pastry Sheets
- 2 apples sliced
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup of cinnamon sugar combine – 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon together
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Slice the apples and using either a sharp knife or something small and round (like the big side of an icing tip) cut the middle of the apple slices out to make a donut shape.
- Cut the puff pastry into thin strips and begin wrapping the donuts, you can either wrap it through the hole all the way around or you can put the end in the hole and wrap it to the other side and rip the piece off and repeat all the way around.
- Once done stick a finger in the hole and flatten the sides out. Add the egg to a bowl and add a little bit of water and stir, baste on top of all the donuts.
- Sprinkle on top with cinnamon sugar all over.
- Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let them cool until warm and enjoy!
Adding a layer of thin Nutella on the apple before wrapping with the pastry dough adds an extra layer of yummy-ness.