How to Make Delicious Puff Pastry Apple Rings

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up in the kitchen and try out some seasonal recipes, and puff pastry apple rings are an easy, delicious treat to make! These golden, flaky rings filled with tender apples and warming spices are ideal for when you want something sweet but don’t want to spend hours baking. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, puff pastry apple rings are a crowd-pleaser that combines the best of crisp pastry and caramelized apple goodness.

Let’s dive into this quick and easy recipe that will fill your kitchen with the smell of autumn! PS they're even good for Christmas. 

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 large apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji work great)
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
• Caramel sauce or honey (optional, for drizzling)

Step 1: Prepare Your Apples

Start by prepping the apples:

1. Slice the Apples: Peel the apples, and then slice them horizontally into rings, about ¼ inch thick.
2. Core the Slices: Use a small cookie cutter or the tip of a knife to remove the core from each apple slice, creating a ring. You should be left with about 8–10 apple rings, depending on the size of your apples.
3. Coat with Sugar and Cinnamon: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then, lightly coat each apple ring in the sugar mixture to give them a sweet and spicy flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Roll Out the Puff Pastry: If your puff pastry sheet is frozen, let it thaw according to the package instructions. Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pastry until it’s about ¼ inch thick.
2. Cut the Pastry into Strips: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the pastry into strips about ½ inch wide.

Step 3: Wrap the Apple Rings

Here’s where the magic happens! Wrapping the apple rings in puff pastry creates a beautiful, spiral effect:

1. Wrap Each Apple Ring: Take one strip of puff pastry and wrap it around each apple ring, spiraling the pastry as you go. Make sure the edges of the puff pastry slightly overlap to keep it secure around the apple.
2. Seal the Ends: When you reach the end of each strip, gently press it down to seal. This will help the pastry stay in place as it bakes.

Step 4: Brush with Egg Wash

1. Prepare the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water.
2. Brush Over the Rings: Lightly brush each wrapped apple ring with the egg wash. This will give the pastry a golden, shiny finish as it bakes.

Step 5: Bake the Apple Rings

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Bake the Rings: Arrange the apple rings on the baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
3. Cool Slightly: Let the apple rings cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. The apples will be tender and juicy, and the pastry will be light and crispy.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

To make these treats even more delicious, consider adding a few finishing touches:

• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over the rings for a sweet, bakery-style finish.
• Drizzle with Caramel or Honey: For extra indulgence, drizzle some caramel sauce or honey over the top. This pairs beautifully with the cinnamon-spiced apples and flaky pastry.

Serve & Enjoy!