Puff Pastry Strudel

5 from 1 vote

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

IMO this Puff Pastry Strudel is even better than 🥧 apple pie. Puff pastry is so buttery, flaky and absolutely heavenly. I have always been the biggest lover of 🍎 apples and any apple desserts, but you could absolutely use your favorite fruit as a filling for this recipe. Frozen, prepared puff pastry is one of the best baking shortcuts because it’s so convenient, always consistent and delicious and practically foolproof!

Why You’ll Love Puff Pastry Strudel

This Puff Pastry Strudel is seriously 💯 impressive-looking. It practically sparkles on the plate thanks to the beautiful shine of the sugar on top. It’s so flaky and crispy and perfectly golden brown. The filling is the best of an 🍎 apple pie: sweet from the brown sugar, earthy and warm with cinnamon and features the beautiful bite from the tender apples. Whether you bring it to a friend’s house for a dinner party or just want to nibble on it at home through the week, it’s utterly delicious.

How to Prepare Puff Pastry Studel

🔪 Use a sharp knife to thinly slice 4 to 5 apples ( I used a mix of Golden Delicious and Pink Lady).

🧈 Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

🍎 Then add the apples, sugar, and cinnamon and stir. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft, but not mushy.

🔥 Now add the flour and cook it off for a few seconds.

🥣 Transfer the apple mixture to a big bowl or spread onto a baking dish to fully cool.

🌡️ When the apple filling is cool, preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and take out your puff pastry from the fridge.

🧑‍🍳 Lightly flour your surface and place the puff pastry sheet on top.

🌀 Roll it out just an inch on each side and then transfer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

🍎 Pour out the cold apple filling into the middle of the pastry and spread it out leaving just an inch on each side.

🤏 Fold the sides over and pinch the ends.

🖌️ Flip it over gently, cut a few slits with a knife and brush the top of the strudel with melted butter.

⏲️ Sprinkle on some sugar and bake the Puff Pastry Strudel for 35-40 minutes or until golden. Let it cool, slice and enjoy.

Nonna’s Tip 🍎

When cooking the apples on the stove, be sure not to overcook them. The apples should soften but still have a bite to them; they should not be mushy.

Puff Pastry Strudel

Variations and Substitutions for Puff Pastry Strudel

  1. You can use 1/2 the filling of this recipe or fill as much as you like.
  2. You can use white sugar instead of light brown in this Puff Pastry Strudel.
  3. Feel free to make mini apple strudels, which would be perfect for individual portions.
  4. Fill this Puff Pastry Strudel with whatever fruit you love: 🍑 peaches, blueberries, plums, or a fruit jam would be delicious.
  5. You could also fill this with a 🍫 chocolate spread like my Homemade Nutella.
  6. Make this Puff Pastry Strudel vegan by using a vegan puff pastry variety and vegan butter.

Similar Recipes

Best Served With

  • Serve this Puff Pastry Strudel as a snack with a ☕ coffee or tea.
  • This is fantastic served warm with a scoop of vanilla 🍨 ice cream.
  • You could also serve this Puff Pastry Strudel for dessert with whipped cream or 🥥 coconut cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Common Questions

what type of apples are best for this recipe?

I used Golden Delicious and Pink Lady apples in this Puff Pastry Strudel, but you can experiment with what you like best. Granny Smith would be crisp and delicious as well. I would avoid a mushy apple such as MacIntosh.

did you use frozen puff pastry to make these puff pastry strudels?

Yes! Frozen puff pastry is the best shortcut. Read the package directions for thawing instructions because when you use it here, it needs to be fully thawed, but cold from the fridge.

What if my apple filling is too watery?

If your apple filling is too watery, cook it a bit longer to reduce the liquid. You could also add a touch of flour to help thicken it up.

Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the apple filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Ensure it is fully cooled before placing it on the puff pastry.

How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?

Make sure the apple filling isn’t too watery and is completely cooled before placing it on top of the puff pastry. Also, do not overfill the pastry to avoid excess moisture.

Can I add other spices or ingredients to the filling?

Yes, you can customize the filling of this Puff Pastry Strudel by adding spices such as nutmeg or allspice. You can also add ingredients like raisins or nuts for extra texture and flavor.

Can I make this Puff Pastry Strudel recipe vegan?

Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by using a plant-based butter substitute and ensuring the puff pastry is vegan.

What if my puff pastry doesn’t puff up?

Make sure that your oven is fully preheated and that the puff pastry is cold when it goes into the oven. If the pastry warms up too much before baking, it may not puff properly.

Can I use this recipe to make smaller individual pastries?

Yes, this Puff Pastry Strudel recipe can be adapted for smaller servings. Simply cut the puff pastry into smaller squares or rectangles before filling and baking. Adjust the baking time accordingly, as smaller pastries will bake faster.

Puff Pastry Strudel

Puff Pastry Strudel

This Puff Pastry Strudel looks seriously impressive. It's flaky, crispy, and perfectly golden brown. The filling is reminiscent of apple pie, with sweetness from the brown sugar, warmth from the cinnamon, and the beautiful texture of tender apples.
5 from 1 vote
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients 

  • 4 apples, sliced (I used Golden Delicious and Pink Lady but you can use Granny Smith as well)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, 10 x 10 inch
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, or white sugar

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet on the stove, melt the butter. Once melted, add the apple slices, sugar, cinnamon and stir. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft on medium heat.
  • The apples should have softened and have a bite to them, they should not be mushy. Add the flour and cook it off for a few seconds.
  • Transfer to a large bowl or spread onto a baking dish to cool completely. The apple filling must be completely cooled.
  • When the apple filling is cool, preheat the oven to 400F (200C). You can also take the puff pastry out of the fridge. Lightly flour your surface and place the puff pastry sheet on top.
  • Roll out the puff pastry an inch on each side. Place the puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the cold apple filling in the middle, leaving an inch of space on each side.
  • Fold the sides over, and pinch the ends as well. Then, gently flip it over, cut a few slits with a knife, and spread melted butter on top. Sprinkle on some sugar and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden. Let it cool and then enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 93mg, Potassium: 114mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 145IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Love This Recipe?
Share your pictures or videos of you making my recipes by mentioning #themodernnonna on all socials ❤️

Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 2 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

6 Comments

    1. Hi Albert! Check out step 4 of the recipe: “When the apple filling is cool pre-heat oven to 400 F.”
      Happy Baking!

  1. I watched the video twice and I am still not sure how to fold over the puff pastry. Just fold one side to the other ?

    1. Yep exactly. Fold it over to one side, pinch all the sides together, I then flip it and add some slits on the top.

  2. In your notes you add to watch a video. Where can I find this video I don’t seem to see a link anywhere?

    1. Hi beautiful,
      We are working on linking the video to the blog but for now head on over to my Instagram ( middle tab ) looks like a play button and the video is there if you scroll a little