Name: Puff Pastry Apple Tart
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 apples; 1 pack ready-rolled puff pastry (475g); 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (optional); 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder (optional); 1 tablespoon milk (use dairy or non-dairy); 1 tablespoon demerara sugar (to decorate edges)

This easy Puff Pastry Apple Tart recipe is the perfect simple dessert! Simply slice apples, coat in sugar and layer over a store-bought puff pastry and bake until golden brown. I’ve baked mine in the Air Fryer but you can use the oven too.

It is naturally suitable for vegans, vegetarians and is egg-free.

Puff pastry apple tarts are on a wire rack that is held by female hands

For an easy dessert, look no further than this puff pastry apple tart. It is a cheats apple pie that takes less than 30 minutes to put together!

I love making these easy apple tarts to take with me during picnics and days out. They are easy to transport, keep well and taste incredible!

Sometimes I make these Air Fryer Apple Ring Doughnuts and Air Fryer Apple Pies too

Puff Pastry Apple Tart pieces placed on a wooden board

Make the most of the apple season – I love this making this Instant Pot Apple Butter with no added sugar too.

one puff pastry apple tart placed on a brown wooden serving board

Ingredients for Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Apples

You need fresh apples for the recipe. The best apples have glossy skin and no bruises.

If you have tart apples, you may need extra sugar.

Brown sugar – I have used light brown sugar.

Lemon juice – a dash of lemon juice prevents the apples browning after slicing

Puff Pastry

I have used a store-bought puff pastry sheet for this recipe

Use chilled or frozen puff pastry (ensure to thaw it first at room temperature or in the fridge). For gluten-free option use gluten-free puff pastry.

Glaze:

In replacement of an egg wash, I’ve used oat milk. You can use any dairy or plant-based milk

Optional:

Spices such as cinnamon powder and/or nutmeg

brush a little melted butter (vegan or dairy) to add an extra gloss to the apples

vegan Puff pastry apple tart ingredients on a wooden board

How to make Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Firstly, slice apples into thin slices.

You can use a sharp knife or a mandolin

Place the slices of apple into a large bowl with lemon juice. Sprinkle over the brown sugar and allow the apple to sit for about 5 minutes.

Brown sugar and spices added to the sliced apples

Meanwhile, prepare your puff pastry.

Roll out a sheet of puff pastry dough on a clean surface. You may need to use a rolling pin lightly to even out any edges or tears in the pastry as it unravels.

You can either choose to keep the pastry whole or cut into desired shape.

I went for squares but you may prefer puff pastry rectangles. I recommend using a pizza cutter to cut the pastry.

raw puff pastry cut into small squares on a board

apple slices arranged on a puff pastry squares

Arrange the apple slices in a pattern of your choice. Allow some of the apple juices to run off the slices before arranging on the pastry. This prevents it becoming too soggy.

I’ve gone for a circle of overlapping sliced apples. You may want to go for slices in a straight line that overlap.

Leave a little border to allow the edge of the puff pastry to rise.

Brush a little wash of choice along the border of the puff pastry. Optionally, sprinkle a little granulated or demerara sugar along the edge.

raw puff pastry tart square in the air fryer basket

cooked vegan puff pastry apple tart in the air fryer basket

puff pastry apple tarts are on a serving board and sprinkled with sugar

Oven Bake

Preheat the oven to 180 C / 360 F / Gas Mark 4

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently place the tart onto the sheet pan.

Place the tart in the centre of the hot oven

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden-brown.

Air Fryer Apple Tart

The air fryer works brilliantly for smaller tarts. Thanks to the cooking process of the air fryer, your pastries can be ready in 5-6 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 190 C / 360 F

Carefully place the tarts with parchment paper in the air fryer – ensure you give a little room between the pastry to allow it to expand.

Air Fry for 5-6 minutes or until the puff pastry is risen and golden.

French puff pastry apple tarts placed next to sugar bowl

Pro Tips

Slice apples as thin as possible so that they cook

Remove puff pastry from the fridge only 10 minutes prior to using. If it is a hot day, the fats in the pastry will melt making it difficult to handle.

For maximum puff, keep the oven / air fryer hot and the pastry as cold as possible

Note that between models and size of the tarts, the cooking time may vary. Keep an eye and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

These apple tarts made with puff pastry are perfect as they are. I love them as a sweet snack.

You can also serve warm with scoops of this eggless vanilla ice cream.

Drizzle over caramel sauce, dulce de leche or maple syrup. Use up any leftover sauce to make Caramel Mousse.

A female hand is picking up a vegan puff pastry apple tart

Storage

These puff pastry apple tarts are best eaten on the day they are made.

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap in keep in the fridge for 2 days. They are not suitable for freezing.

Other Puff Pastry Recipes

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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