Apple Pie Recipe: Copycat McDonald's Baked Apple Turnovers 2026

Isabel Gaines
Apple Pie Recipe: Copycat McDonald's Baked Apple Turnovers
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If you have ever craved those little fried apple pies from the golden arches, this homemade version brings the same magic to your own kitchen. A crisp, buttery shortcrust shell wraps a soft, cinnamon-scented apple filling that is impossible to resist.

These baked apple turnovers are simple to put together and perfect for an afternoon treat or a cozy dessert. The filling can even be made ahead, so all you have to do is assemble and bake when the craving strikes.


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Golden baked apple pies dusted with cinnamon sugar on a plate

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Serve them slightly warm, when the crust is at its crispest and the filling is fragrant with cinnamon. They are just as good at room temperature, making them a great make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

Close-up of a homemade apple pie turnover with a flaky crust

Ingredients for Apple Pie-Style Turnovers

This recipe makes 6 pastries.

  • 3 small apples
  • 30 g white sugar
  • 30 g brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 40 g unsalted butter
  • 200 g water
  • 15 g cornstarch
  • 2 sheets shortcrust pastry
  • Beaten egg
  • 30 g white sugar
  • Half a teaspoon of cinnamon

Ingredients for apple pie-style turnovers arranged on a table

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How to Make Apple Pie-Style Turnovers Step by Step

1. Preheat the oven and dice the apples

Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375 °F) with top and bottom heat. Dice 3 apples into small cubes, no larger than 1 cm, and set aside.

Apples being diced into small cubes on a cutting board

2. Cook the apple filling

Place the diced apples in a saucepan with 30 g white sugar, 30 g brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 pinch of salt, 40 g unsalted butter, 200 g water and 15 g cornstarch. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the apple softens.

Apple filling simmering in a saucepan with cinnamon and sugar

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3. Cool the filling completely

Once the apple is perfectly cooked, remove from the heat and let it cool completely before continuing with the recipe.

Cooked apple filling cooling in a bowl

4. Cut the pastry into rectangles

Cut 2 sheets of shortcrust pastry into pieces about 5 x 20 cm to make 6 long rectangles of pastry.

Shortcrust pastry cut into long rectangles on a work surface

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5. Fill and fold the pastries

Place 2 tablespoons of the filling on one side of each pastry rectangle. Fold the pastry over and transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Apple filling placed on a pastry rectangle before folding

6. Seal and brush with egg

Seal the pastries well by pressing the edges with a fork, then brush the entire surface with beaten egg.

Pastry turnovers being brushed with beaten egg before baking

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7. Score, sprinkle and bake

Make 3 small cuts on the surface of each pastry with a knife and sprinkle with a mixture of 30 g white sugar and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 190 °C until golden brown to your liking.

Apple turnovers baking on a tray until golden brown

8. Let them rest

Leave them to rest on the tray for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baked apple turnovers cooling on a wire rack

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9. Serve

Serve the apple pies slightly warm for the best flavor and texture.

Apple pie-style turnovers ready to serve on a plate

Tips for the Best Apple Pie-Style Turnovers

Make the filling ahead

You can prepare the filling in advance and bake the pastries at the last minute, then enjoy them warm, which is when they taste best.

Choose sweet apples

Any type of apple works for the filling, but a sweeter variety makes the filling even more appetizing.

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Seal the edges well

Press the edges firmly with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

Prep time 30 minutes
Cook time 50 minutes
Total time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6 pastries
Category Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories per serving 292 kcal

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Universal Meals: Recipes

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

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On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit fancier.

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Any time street-food style or party-ready plates are calling, I'll usually fix this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a light starter or snack.

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And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

This may contain: a group of people sitting around a table eating food

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

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The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

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Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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Isabel Gaines

Author

Isabel Gaines

As a former restaurant owner turned reporter, Isabel brings a unique perspective to Grand Goldman. With decades of experience, her articles on cooking and homemaking are both informative and engaging, reflecting her deep knowledge and love for all things culinary.


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