Easy apple strudel with store-bought puff pastry! Filled with cinnamon apples and walnuts, this flaky German dessert is quick, fuss-free, and impressive for holidays or cozy gatherings.

Easy apple strudel made with puff pastry – crispy, flaky, and perfect for fall dessert from Beyond Kimchee

My love affair with apple strudel began during a vacation to Bavaria, where I tasted my very first authentic German strudel. The flaky, golden pastry and tender apples left such an impression, but as a busy mom, I knew I couldn’t spend hours rolling out homemade dough.

That’s why I created this fuss-free version using store-bought puff pastry—no compromise on flavor, just pure comfort in every bite. With a crisp, flaky crust and a soft, cinnamon-infused apple filling, it’s become one of the most popular desserts on my site and one I make often for my family.

Homemade apple strudel made with puff pastry, golden and flaky

Honestly, it’s hard to say which I love more—this apple strudel or my deep dish apple pie, the classic American favorite that’s just as cozy and indulgent. If you’re looking for an easy apple dessert that captures the spirit of German strudel without all the fuss, this one’s for you.

4.97 from 91 ratings
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“I just made my first batch of this strudel; and let me just say, this recipe is a keeper! The biggest problem is to stop eating this once you start!”

Dossy
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Sliced apple strudel revealing tender apple filling inside

Notes on Key Ingredients

  • Apple: I used Ginger Gold for this recipe because it has just the right amount of sweetness and aroma that I love. Other baking apples like Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Gala, Honey Crisp, or Jonagold also work beautifully.
  • Store-bought Frozen Puff Pastry: Allow 40–50 minutes for thawing at room temperature and watch out not to let it sit too long. Keep the puff pastry chilled until the moment you roll it out; cold dough puffs higher and bakes flakier.
  • Breadcrumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs. they soak up the apple juices as the strudel bakes and help keep the pastry from getting soggy.

How to Make Apple Strudel with Puff Pastry

Chopping peeled apple into small pieces for apple strudel filling
Mixing small apple pieces with sugar and cinnamon in a bowl

Step 1: Apple Filling
Toss chopped apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Let them rest so the juices develop—this prevents a soggy strudel.

Finely chopping walnuts with a knife for the strudel filling
Mixing breadcrumbs and chopped walnuts in a bowl for apple strudel filling.

Step 2: Nut Mixture
Chop the walnuts and mix them with breadcrumbs and sugars.

Rolling out puff pastry dough with a rolling pin
Spreading breadcrumb and walnut mixture over puff pastry sheet
Placing apple and walnut filling on top of breadcrumb mixture on puff pastry
Folding puff pastry dough over apple filling to form the strudel
Rolled puff pastry strudel filled with apple and walnut mixture
Making slits on puff pastry apple strudel to allow steam to escape

Step 3: Assemble
Roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly. Spread the nut mixture in the center, layer the apple filling on top, and fold the pastry to seal. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined sheet, brush with egg wash, and create slits for steam to escape.

Two puff pastry apple strudels baked to golden brown on a sheet pan
Dusting powdered sugar over warm, freshly baked apple strudel

Step 4: Bake and Serve
Bake at 375°F until golden brown, about 40–45 minutes. Let cool briefly, then dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

A slice of apple strudel served with ice cream and whipped cream on a plate

Serving Tips from My Kitchen

I love to serve this apple strudel warm, dusted with powdered sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream—my kids say it’s the ultimate cozy treat!

It’s also great for breakfast with a cup of coffee, or on its own when you’re craving something sweet and flaky. If you want to take it up a notch, drizzle a glaze made from icing sugar and milk over the top.

If you love easy apple desserts like this puff pastry apple strudel, you might also enjoy my apple brownie bars—a chewy, cake-like treat packed with apple flavor.

Puff pastry apple strudel dusted with powdered sugar and sliced.

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Puff pastry apple strudel is dusted with powdered sugar.

Easy Apple Strudel with Puff Pastry

Servings: 6 people
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Crispy, flaky apple strudel made easy with store-bought puff pastry. Filled with sweet cinnamon apples and crunchy walnuts, this German-inspired dessert is quick to make and perfect for any occasion.
4.97 from 91 ratings
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Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 1 package (2 sheets, 1.1 lb or 490 g) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed in room temperature
  • 2-3 baking apples, such as Granny Smith
  • 4 tbsp white sugar, divided
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (65 g) walnuts, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
  • 1 beaten egg with 1 tsp water, for brushing

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with a parchment paper and set aside.
  • To make the apple filling, peel, core, and chop apples into 1/2-inch cubes. You will need total 3 cups (720 ml) of chopped apples. Place them in a bowl and add 2 tablespoon of white sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Toss well and set aside for 15 minutes so the apple can release its juice.
  • Meanwhile, combine nuts, brown sugar, the remaining 2 tablespoon of white sugar, and breadcrumbs in another small bowl. Stir well and set aside.
  • To assemble the strudel, roll out the thawed puff pastry with a rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface to stretch out a little, about 10×12-inch. Sprinkle half of nut mixture in the center of the pastry leaving 1-inch from both sides. Spoon half of apple mixture on top of nut mixture.
  • Lift the front side of pastry and fold over the filling. Lift the opposite side of pastry and fold over. Pinch the sides down to seal. Carefully transfer the strudel to a prepared baking sheet, placing the seam-side down. Tuck both ends under. Repeat the same on the other pastry sheet.
  • Brush the strudels with egg wash and make slits for the steam to escape. Bake the strudel in a preheated 375˚F oven for 40-45 minutes until golden brown. Let the pastry cool for 10 minutes.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream.

Notes

Freezing Tips:
Apple strudel freezes well. To freeze, assemble it up to the point of baking, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, brush the frozen strudel with egg wash and bake it directly in a preheated oven, adding 10 minutes or so to the baking time.
Cuisine: Western
Course: Dessert
Author: Hyegyoung K. Ford
Web Story: https://www.beyondkimchee.com/web-stories/puff-pastry-apple-strudel/
Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 126mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 35IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
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