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5 from 4 votes
Home By Course Desserts

Apple Puff Pastry Recipe (Pandowdy Lightened Up!)

An old-fashioned charmer similar to apple pie, this Apple Puff Pastry Recipe is a lightened up version of a classic American dessert! It’s beyond easy to make, a real crowd pleaser and makes for the most perfect fall time and holiday dessert!

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By: Lauren published: Oct. 05, 2022 updated: Jan. 08, 2024 Comments

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Apple puff pastry served on a small plate with a spoon and topped with vanilla ice cream.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Apple Puff Pastry Recipe
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
For The Best Apple Puff Pastry
FAQ: Apple Puff Pastry Recipe
More Delicious Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
Apple Puff Pasty Recipe (Pandowdy Lightened Up!)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Apple pandowdy, or pan dowdy, is a classic American dessert, similar to an apple pie. It was popular in the 1800s and early 1900s.

By definition, a cooked fruit dessert sweetened with maple syrup or molasses and topped with a pie pastry. The name refers to the act of “dowdying” the pie crust — that is, breaking it up with a knife and pressing it into the bubbling juices.

Perfect for apple season and one of the best ways to use up any extra apples you have lying around!! Great dessert for fall time or holidays, real crowd pleaser. This easy recipe is sure to impress, so its great if you’re not a pro baker because its hard to mess this one up!

Looking for more delicious apple recipes this fall? Try my Healthy Apple Pecan Crisp, Apple Cinnamon Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze or my favorite homemade Healthy Apple Butter!

Apple puff pastry served on a small plate with a spoon and topped with vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Puff Pastry Recipe

  • It’s like apple cobbler but way EASIER. One of my favorite apple recipes!
  • A sweet filling of warm flavors, tender apples, sweet cinnamon spice under a bead of puff pastry dough!
  • This apple puff pastry has been lightened up from its traditional version (lower calories, carbs, fats).
  • Perfect dessert for the holidays are literally any time in the fall!
  • A serious crowd FAVORITE!! Especially topped with some ice cream.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for Apple puff pastry.
  • Puff pastry sheet (so 1/2 of a 14-oz. package with two sheets) – you can find this in the dessert freezer section of your grocery store!
  • Apples – I used honey crisp apples here because I think they’re perfect for baked apple desserts but you could also use any other variety that is good for baking (like Granny Smith apples, Braeburn, Jonagold). Try to avoid varieties like gala, fuji, or golden and red delicious.
  • Lemon
  • Brown sugar alternative – I used Brown Sugar Sweetener. You could use monk fruit, coconut sugar, whatever sweetener you fancy here!
  • Light butter – I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.
  • Flour – All-purpose or 1:1 gluten-free flour work best here! I recommend Bob Red Mill’s 1:1 or King Arthur’s measure for measure if using gluten-free flour. I have not tested this recipe with almond flour, oat flour, or whole grain flour, so i’m not sure if they’ll work. You can definitely try! Just note that it won’t have the same ‘bakery taste’ as it does when you use normal all purpose flour. A better option to regular whole wheat flour would be white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour. I would not recommend using coconut flour for this recipe.
  • Baking essentials: ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, salt
  • Confectioners sugar – I used Swerve but any kind of confectioners sugar works great.
  • Vanilla ice cream – optional but highly recommended! 😉

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

  • Make these blondies gluten-free: use gluten-free store-bought puff pastry (or make your own) and gluten-free flour like  Bob Red Mill’s 1:1 or King Arthur’s measure for measure.
  • Make vegan: use plant-based butter and vegan-friendly puff pastry.
  • Use a cookie cutter for the dough: use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the piece of puff pastry instead of just into small squares.
  • Switch up the fruit: pears or a pear/apple combo would be amazing in this recipe! I also love combining the different kind of apples I used. Cherries, or strawberries or blueberries in the summer months!
  • Add in fun additions: adding in different textures, like dried fruit or chopped nuts to the apple mixture really elevates this dish to a new level! 

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Apple puff pastry instructions steps 1-4.

Step 1: Remove puff pastry from the freezer and thaw for 30 minutes.Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9×13” dish with cooking spray. 

Step 2: To a large bowl, add the apple slices. Toss with the lemon juice and zest. Then add the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.

Step 3: Toss again to combine.

Step 4: Spread the apples out in an even layer in the baking dish. 

Apple puff pastry steps 1-5.

Step 5: Gently unfold the puff pastry crust and transfer it to a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Roll the puff pastry sheet out to form a 12×16” inch rectangle (save the other sheet for another recipe).

Step 6: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 1-inch equal squares.

Step 7: Add the squares evenly over top of the sliced apples. Press down any corners sticking up so they don’t burn.

Step 8: Brush the puff pastry with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. 

Apple puff pastry steps 9-12.

Step 9: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

Step 10: Then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake another 30 minutes or until the apples are soft and the bottom is bubbly. If it’s starting to brown too much at any point, you can cover the entire thing with aluminum foil. 

Step 11: Using the back of a spoon, press golden brown puff pastry down into the warm juices (but don’t completely submerge). 

Step 12: Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool whip, and enjoy!

Helpful Tips and Tricks

For The Best Apple Puff Pastry

  1. Use fresh apples that are good for baking – yes there are better apples for baking than others! I used honeycrisp apples here because I think they’re perfect for baked apple desserts but you could also use any other variety that is good for baking (like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold). Try to avoid varieties like gala, fuji, or golden and red delicious.
  2. Serve Warm – this apple puff pastry is best served warm. You can serve it at room temperature but I think it’s way better warmed. You can always make in advance and reheat if you are short on time.
  3. Make ahead – if you wish to go ahead and cook this pandowdy in advance you most definitely can. Just go ahead and make it the day before serving and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F uncovered for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add a little something on top – this dish is delicious but kind of has a bland topping. Make it more exciting by sprinkling a little bit of confectioners sugar, cinnamon sugar mixture, or caramel sauce over top! Add a scoop of ice cream when serving.
Apple puff pastry served on a small plate with a spoon.

FAQ: Apple Puff Pastry Recipe

What is Apple Pandowdy?

Apple pandowdy, or pan dowdy, is a one of the best classic American delicious apple desserts, similar to an apple tart. It was popular in the 1800s and early 1900s. by definition, a cooked fruit dessert sweetened with maple syrup or molasses and topped with a pie pastry. The name refers to the act of “dowdying” the crust — that is, breaking it up with a knife and pressing it into the bubbling juices. One of the best ways to use up any extra apples you have lying around!! Great dessert for fall time or holidays, real crowd pleaser.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can make this recipe in advance! Just make it the day before serving and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F uncovered for about 10 minutes.

What are the best type of apples to use for this recipe?

Certain type of apples are better for baking than others. I used honeycrisp apples here because I think they’re perfect for baked apple desserts but you could also use any other variety that is good for baking (like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold). Try to avoid varieties like gala, fuji, or golden and red delicious.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Apple blondies on parchment paper.

Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

Simple Homemade Healthy Apple Butter (Lower Sugar Recipe)

Healthy Pumpkin Coffee Cake squares topped with glaze on a plate.

Healthy Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Crumb Topping!

Healthy pumpkin chocolate chip blondies stacked on top of each other on a small plate.

The Best Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies! (100 Calories)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

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5 from 4 votes

Apple Puff Pasty Recipe (Pandowdy Lightened Up!)

? Vegetarian
An old-fashioned charmer similar to apple pie, this Apple Puff Pastry Recipe is a lightened up version of a classic American dessert! It’s beyond easy to make, a real crowd pleaser and makes for the most perfect fall time and holiday dessert!
Yield: 8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 50 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Calories: 242kcal
Protein: 2.2g
Fat: 10.5g
Carbs: 34.7g

Ingredients

  • 1 puff pastry sheet so 1/2 of a 14-oz. package with two sheets
  • 3 lb apples cut into thin slices – about 8 apples
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (92g) I used Swerve
  • 1/4 cup light butter (56g) melted and divided
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (15g) can sub for 1:1 gluten-free alternative
  • 2 tsp each: ground cinnamon nutmeg, vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling
  • Vanilla ice cream for serving

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Remove puff pastry from the freezer and thaw for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9×13” dish with cooking spray. 
  • To a large bowl, add the sliced apples. Toss with the lemon juice and zest. Then add the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt and toss again to combine. Spread the apples out in an even layer in the baking dish. 
  • Gently unfold the puff pastry and transfer it to a lightly floured cutting board. Roll the puff pastry sheet out to form a 12×16” inch rectangle (save the other sheet for another recipe). Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into 1-inch squares. Add the squares evenly over top of the apples. Press down any corners sticking up so they don’t burn. Brush the puff pastry with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. 
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake another 30 minutes or until the apples are soft and the bottom is bubbly. If it’s starting to brown too much at any point, you can cover it with aluminum foil. 
  • Using the back of a spoon, press pastry down into the warm juices (but don’t completely submerge). 
  • Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool whip, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • 9×13 baking dish

Notes

To make vegan: use a vegan-friendly puff pastry and plant based butter. 
To make gluten-free: use gluten-free store-bought puff pastry (or make your own) and gluten-free flour like  Bob Red Mill’s 1:1 or King Arthur’s measure for measure.
Helpful Tips and Tricks:
  1. Use fresh apples that are good for baking – yes there are better apples for baking than others! I used honeycrisp apples here because I think they’re perfect for baked apple desserts but you could also use any other variety that is good for baking (like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold). Try to avoid varieties like gala, fuji, or golden and red delicious.
  2. Serve Warm – this apple puff pastry is best served warm. You can serve it at room temperature but I think it’s way better warmed. You can always make in advance and reheat if you are short on time.
  3. Make ahead – if you wish to go ahead and cook this pandowdy in advance you most definitely can. Just go ahead and make it the day before serving and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F uncovered for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add a little something on top – this dish is delicious but kind of has a bland topping. Make it more exciting by sprinkling a little bit of confectioners sugar, cinnamon sugar mixture, or caramel sauce over top! Add a scoop of ice cream when serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/8 of recipe (203g), Calories: 242kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 34.7g (12%), Protein: 2.2g (4%), Fat: 10.5g (16%), Saturated Fat: 3.8g (24%), Fiber: 4.9g (20%), Sugar: 18.4g (20%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Apple Pandowdy

© Author: Lauren

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Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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