Warm, flaky Homemade Apple Strudel is delicious for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or dessert! Apples tossed in brown sugar and spices are wrapped in beautiful puffed pastry and then baked to perfection. Serve this easy recipe with a dusting of sweet powdered sugar for an incredible treat for fall or the holidays.
In This Post
Those of you who read A Southern Soul know that when I post a recipe, I usually share a little story. You always seem to like that about me, which makes me really happy. Today, there’s no story. I don’t have one because this easy Apple Strudel recipe is just straight-up—no kidding—fantastic.
Seriously, It’s The Best Recipe
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Using store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe quick and beginner-friendly without compromising taste.
- Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples ensures a balance of tartness and sweetness in every bite.
- Great For Little Hands: These little handheld pockets are perfect for taking outside or to the playground.
Expert Tips For The Best Apple Strudel
- Keep It Simple: Use Store-Bought Puff Pastry: Thaw it according to the package instructions and roll it out slightly for the perfect base.
- Maximize Flavor: Let the Apples Sit with Spices. If possible, let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes. This allows the apples to release their juices and absorb the warm spices, making the filling more flavorful and juicy.
Ingredients For Baked Apple Strudel
- Apples: I like to use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, or a combination of diced and peeled apples!
- Sugar: Grab granulated and brown sugar for the ideal combination of light sweetness and warmth from the brown sugar.
- Cinnamon: Apples and cinnamon are a match made in heaven!
- Unseasoned Breadcrumbs: This is my trick to the best apple strudels! This adds texture that takes these from good to great.
- Egg: To get a golden brown top we need a little egg wash.
- Flour: To help roll out the pastry dough.
- Salt: Every dessert can benefit from a little salt. This makes all the flavors and sweetness more prominent.
- Puffed Pastry: Any store-bought version pack will work!
Mix It Up: Variations and Substitutions
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans into the apple filling for added crunch.
- Dried Fruits: Mix in raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness and texture.
- Alternative Pastry: Swap puff pastry for phyllo dough for a more traditional strudel texture.
- Glaze Option: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze instead of dusting with powdered sugar.
Step-By-Step Directions
- Make the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Toss well to coat the apples. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet of puff pastry into a large rectangle.
- Mix the Sugars: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, white sugar, and bread crumbs. Divide this mixture evenly between the two pastry sheets, sprinkling it down the center of each rectangle.
- Fill the Pastry: Spoon the apple filling onto the sugar layer, dividing it evenly between the pastries.
- Assemble: Gently fold the long edge of the pastry over the apple filling, then roll it to close the bundle. Pinch the seam and ends to seal. Place the strudel bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush and Bake: Whisk together the beaten egg and water, then brush it over the tops of the pastries. Use a sharp knife to cut slits on the top of each strudel to allow steam to escape during baking. Bake till golden brown!
- Serve: Dust with powdered sugar after cooling and enjoy.
How Long Does Apple Strudel Stay Fresh For?
Apple strudel is best enjoyed fresh on the day it’s baked, but leftovers can be stored! Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes to restore the flaky crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Any mix of firm apples will work—try Pink Lady, Fuji, or Braeburn for different flavor profiles.
Yes, for the best results, ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold before rolling it out.
Yes! Assemble the strudel, refrigerate it unbaked, and brush with egg wash just before baking.
How To Serve
These apple pastry pockets are delicious, served a la mode with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Serve them after a dinner of Crockpot Chicken Thighs and a big green salad. They are also great for casual entertaining with Cream Cheese Sausage Balls, Honey Pistachio Goat Cheese, and Air-Fried Roasted Nuts.
More Apple Recipes To Make
If you tried this Apple Strudel Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 1 granny smith apple – peeled and chopped
- 1 honey crisp apple – peeled and chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- pinch of salt
- 2 sheets thawed puffed pastry
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium size bowl, add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and salt. Toss together coating apples with dry ingredients. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out each puffed pastry into a large rectangle.
- Combine brown and white sugar with bread crumbs. Divide mixture in half and sprinkle down the center of each pastry. Place half of apple mixture in the center of each pastry on top of sugar blend.
- Gently fold long edge of pastry over apples then roll to close the bundle. Pinch edge and ends to seal.
- Place apple bundles on lined sheet tray. Mix egg and water together then brush over pastry. With a sharp knife, cut slits in strudel to allow ventilation.
- Place pan in oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until crust and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on a baking rack. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Notes
-
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans into the apple filling for added crunch.
-
- Dried Fruits: Mix in raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness and texture.
-
- Alternative Pastry: Swap puff pastry for phyllo dough for a more traditional strudel texture.
-
- Glaze Option: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze instead of dusting with powdered sugar.
Nutrition
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
Absolutely Delicious
No Donya I didn’t make it yet, one question, you call for 2 T of Bread crumbs, 2T of white and 3 T of brown sugar, this sure doesn’t seem like nearly enough to cover the bottom of two puff pastries, to me. On other think, all our apple pies and these types of recipes we always use Spies . Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Give it a try, it works. Let me know how you like it.
Merry Christmas,
~Donya
Hi, can’t wait to try this, but you have a typo in your recipe. In the ingredients list the second apple should say “honey crisp apple”.
Hey there Alicia!
Thank you for your interest in this recipe, it’s a fall favorite! I appreciate you letting me know about the typo, it has been fixed. I really hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know how it turns out.
Have a great day!
~Donya
Do you bring both edges over the apple mixture? Can’t wait to make this! Perfect for a fall dessert ❤️
Hey there Susan!
I am thrilled to hear that you’re giving this recipe a try, you’re totally right, this Apple Strudel is a perfect Fall dessert! After you’ve layered the the sugar and apple mixture onto the dough, you’ll want to fold over one of the long edges onto the opposite long edge, sandwiching the apples in the center. Then gently pinch all of the edges to create a full seal. In this post, there is an image illustrating the technique I described that you may find helpful. I really hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know how everything turns out!
~Donya
Is panko ok to use in place of the breadcrumbs? I LOVE all your recipes, thank you so much for sharing them with everyone.
Hey there Becky!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and for your kind words, I really appreciate your spreading the word. You can definitely use Panko breadcrumbs, but I would make sure they aren’t seasoned with anything else, or it would really change the flavor of the dish. You can also make homemade bread crumbs out of older bread which is super easy, whatever works best for you! Thank you for your support, let me know how it turns out!
~Donya