Homemade Strawberry Turnovers with Puff Pastry: The Ultimate Easy Summer Dessert

Looking for a quick summer dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery? These homemade strawberry turnovers are exactly what you need – they come together in just 30 minutes using store-bought puff pastry and fresh strawberries!

Recipe Quick Facts

Why You’ll Love These Easy Strawberry Turnovers

I’ve always been a sucker for bakery-style pastries, but who has time to make them from scratch? That’s why I fell in love with these strawberry turnovers. They’re incredibly simple to make but look and taste like they took hours of effort.

What makes these turnovers special is the perfect balance of flaky, buttery pastry with the sweet-tart flavor of fresh strawberries. When you bite into one, you get that satisfying crunch of the pastry followed by the warm, jammy strawberry filling. It’s truly summer in every bite!

I love how versatile these little treats are – perfect for breakfast with coffee, an afternoon snack, or dressed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Even my kids can help make them, which makes for a fun weekend baking project that doesn’t require professional skills.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Turnovers

• 1 sheet (13-14 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed if frozen
• 12-15 fresh strawberries (about 1½ cups when sliced)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: 5-6 teaspoons Nutella or chocolate spread

For the Egg Wash

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon milk or water

For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
• 1½-2 tablespoons lemon juice or milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Optional Additions

• ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (to replace some of the granulated sugar)
• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare the Strawberry Filling

1. Prepare the strawberries: Wash and hull the strawberries. If they’re small, leave them whole; if they’re medium or large, slice them in half or quarters. You want pieces that will fit nicely inside your turnover.
2. Make the filling: In a small bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Gently toss until the strawberries are evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the strawberries to release some of their juices.

Prepare the Turnovers

3. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Prepare the puff pastry: Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If it’s not already rolled, use a rolling pin to roll it out to about 12×12 inches or follow package instructions. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into equal squares (about 3×3 inches each). You should get approximately 16-18 squares depending on your pastry size.
5. Fill the turnovers: If using Nutella, spread about ½ teaspoon in the center of half of the squares, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Spoon about 1-1½ teaspoons of the strawberry mixture onto the center of each square that has Nutella (or directly onto the pastry if not using Nutella). Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause the filling to leak.
6. Form the turnovers: Place the remaining squares on top of the filled squares. Using a fork, firmly press around all four edges to seal the turnovers completely. This step is crucial to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
7. Cut vents: With a small sharp knife, cut two small slits on the top of each turnover to allow steam to escape while baking.
8. Apply egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the top of each turnover with this egg wash, which will give them a beautiful golden shine when baked.

Bake to Perfection

9. Bake the turnovers: Place the prepared turnovers on the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown.
10. Cool slightly: Remove from the oven and let the turnovers cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Prepare and Apply the Glaze

11. Make the glaze: While the turnovers are cooling, mix the powdered sugar with lemon juice (or milk) and vanilla extract (if using) in a small bowl. Start with 1½ tablespoons of liquid and add more gradually until you reach a smooth, thick but pourable consistency.
12. Glaze the turnovers: After the turnovers have cooled for 5 minutes, drizzle or spread the glaze over them. For a neater look, you can put the glaze in a zip-top bag, snip off a tiny corner, and pipe it over the turnovers.
13. Final cooling: Transfer the glazed turnovers to a wire rack to cool completely. The glaze will set as they cool.

Pro Tips for Perfect Strawberry Turnovers

• Keep it cool: Work with cold puff pastry. If it starts to get too warm and soft while you’re working with it, pop it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
• Don’t overfill: Resist the temptation to add too much filling. Overfilled turnovers tend to leak and can become soggy.
• Seal properly: Press the edges firmly with a fork to create a good seal. If you’re having trouble getting them to stay sealed, brush a little egg wash along the edges before pressing them together.
• The cornstarch trick: Don’t skip the cornstarch in the filling! It helps thicken the strawberry juices as they cook, preventing soggy pastry.
• Even baking: For even baking, rotate your baking sheets halfway through the baking time, especially if your oven tends to have hot spots.
• Check for doneness: The bottoms of the turnovers should be golden brown too, not just the tops. If the tops are browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking.
• Glaze consistency: The perfect glaze should coat the back of a spoon but still run off slowly. Too thick, and it won’t spread nicely; too thin, and it will run right off the turnovers.

Delicious Variations to Try

Mixed Berry Turnovers

Replace half the strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry treat. The combination of different berries creates a beautiful color and complex flavor profile.

Strawberry Cheesecake Turnovers

Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Spread a small amount of this mixture on the pastry before adding the strawberry filling for a creamy cheesecake-like center.

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Instead of the glaze, brush the tops of the baked and still-warm turnovers with melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a crispy, sweet crust.

Chocolate Drizzle

After applying the basic glaze, drizzle melted chocolate (white, milk, or dark) over the turnovers for an extra touch of decadence.

Apple Cinnamon Turnovers

Replace the strawberries with diced apples tossed with cinnamon, sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a fall-inspired variation.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Room Temperature

Freshly baked turnovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, they taste best on the day they’re made, when the pastry is at its flakiest.

Refrigerator

For longer storage, place the turnovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The pastry will soften somewhat, but they’ll still be delicious.

Freezer – Unbaked

You can prepare the turnovers up to the point of baking, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place the frozen turnovers on a lined baking sheet and bake directly from frozen, adding about 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

Freezer – Baked

Baked and cooled turnovers (preferably unglazed) can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp them up again. Add glaze after reheating.

Reheating

To refresh day-old turnovers, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes. This will re-crisp the pastry for that fresh-baked taste.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
• Pair with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and extra fresh strawberries on the side.
• Enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack.
• Create a brunch platter with these turnovers as the sweet component alongside savory options.
• For a dessert buffet, cut larger turnovers in half to allow guests to try multiple desserts.
• Dust with powdered sugar instead of glaze for a lighter, less sweet option.

Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries aren’t just delicious; they’re also packed with nutrition:

• Vitamin C: One serving of strawberries provides more vitamin C than an orange, supporting immune health.
• Fiber: Strawberries contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, supporting digestive health.
• Antioxidants: They’re rich in anthocyanins and other antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.
• Potassium: Strawberries contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
• Low Calorie: With only about 50 calories per cup, strawberries add sweetness without many calories.

Dietary Adaptations

Gluten-Free

Use a gluten-free puff pastry, which is available in many specialty stores. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Vegan

Look for vegan puff pastry (many store-bought brands are accidentally vegan) and skip the egg wash, using plant milk or a mixture of maple syrup and plant milk instead. Use plant-based butter in place of dairy butter if specified in your puff pastry, and ensure your chocolate spread is vegan if using.

Lower Sugar

Reduce the sugar in the filling to 1-2 tablespoons and use a light dusting of powdered sugar instead of the glaze. You can also use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit in the filling.

Nut-Free

Simply omit the Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread, which contains nuts. The basic strawberry filling is completely nut-free.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Leaking Filling

If your filling is leaking out during baking, you may have overfilled the turnovers or not sealed the edges properly. Make sure to leave at least a ½-inch border around the edges and press firmly with a fork to seal.

Soggy Bottom

To prevent soggy bottoms, make sure your strawberry filling isn’t too wet. The cornstarch helps, but you might also try placing a layer of finely crushed graham crackers or cookie crumbs on the pastry before adding wet fillings.

Unevenly Baked Pastry

If your turnovers are browning on top but still doughy on the bottom, your oven temperature might be too high. Try reducing the temperature by 25°F and baking a little longer, or moving the rack to a lower position in the oven.

Flat Turnovers

If your turnovers aren’t puffing up as much as expected, your puff pastry might have gotten too warm. Always work with chilled pastry and keep unused portions in the refrigerator while working with the rest.

Cracked Glaze

If your glaze is cracking after it sets, it might be too thick. Next time, add a bit more liquid to create a slightly thinner consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but thaw and drain them first to remove excess moisture. Pat them dry with paper towels before using. You might need to increase the cornstarch to 1½ tablespoons to account for the extra moisture.

How do I know when the turnovers are done?

The turnovers should be golden brown all over, including the bottom, and should feel light for their size. You might see some filling bubbling through the vents, which is a good sign that the filling has heated through.

Can I make these with other fruits?

Absolutely! This recipe works well with many fruits including peaches, cherries, blueberries, and apples. Just adjust the sugar level based on the sweetness of the fruit you’re using, and ensure pieces are small enough to fit inside the turnover.

My puff pastry package is a different size than specified. How do I adjust?

The exact size isn’t critical. Just cut your puff pastry into squares of approximately 3×3 inches or slightly larger, and adjust the amount of filling accordingly. Smaller squares will need less filling, larger squares can handle a bit more.

Can I use homemade puff pastry?

Yes, if you’re an ambitious baker, homemade puff pastry works beautifully in this recipe. Follow your favorite puff pastry recipe and roll it to about ⅛-inch thickness before cutting into squares.

Ready to Try More Easy Dessert Recipes?

If you enjoyed these strawberry turnovers, you might also love these other delicious treats:

• Ultimate No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake – Another quick dessert that requires no baking
• Foolproof Nutella Ferrero Rocher Cookie Pie – For chocolate lovers
• Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake – A perfect summer dessert
• Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars – A delicious breakfast-inspired dessert
• Simple Homemade Popsicles – For hot summer days