Apple Strudel With Puff Pastry (German Apfelstrudel)

Enjoy the combination of a sweet, lightly spiced apple filling encased in a buttery, flaky puff pastry crust in under 45 minutes, thanks to store-bought pastry, in this quick and easy apple strudel recipe!

Quick and Easy Puff Pastry Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)

I have always equated cooked apple recipes to coziness, comfort, and happiness. That’s probably why I now have over a dozen vegan apple recipes on the blog, ranging from apple-cinnamon baked oatmeal to apple cinnamon rolls and almond flour apple pie cookies.

However, nothing quite transports me to my childhood like my favorite childhood dessert, humble apple strudel (Apfelstrudel), now made super quick and easy thanks to pre-made puff pastry!

What Is Strudel?

A strudel, meaning ‘whirlpool’ in German, is a popular Austro-Hungarian type of layered pastry made with strudel dough (super elastic and rolled out thin enough to read through) filled and rolled with sweet or savory fillings, with apple strudel (Apfelstrudel in German) being one of the most common varieties.

For this time-saving, semi-homemade version, though, I’m using store-bought vegan puff pastry (sorry Oma!). The result is buttery, flaky, and delicious, with just a fraction of the time or effort! Just chop the apples and mix the filling ingredients in minutes, assemble the German strudel, and bake! Honestly, this apple strudel with puff pastry is so easy; you can even get your kids involved.

Made with just 10 simple, inexpensive, and pantry-friendly ingredients, this easy apple strudel recipe makes for the perfect low-fuss busy weeknight dessert. It’s sweet and slightly tart with a lightly spiced cinnamon and ginger apple filling studded with raisins and walnuts, encased in store-bought puff pastry (or filo/ phyllo dough) for ultimate ease.

Once baked, enjoy the strudel for breakfast or dessert with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or custard. It’s as perfect on chilly fall and winter evenings as it is all year long. Plus, you can even freeze it (pre-baked or leftovers) for a delicious dessert whenever needed!

The Ingredients

10 simple, inexpensive, and kitchen basic ingredients are all you need for this German apple strudel recipe. 

• Vegan puff pastry: Use fresh or frozen (and thawed) vegan store-bought puff pastry. Use gluten-free puff pastry if needed.
• Apple: Use a crisp baking apple that will hold its shape. For sweet flavor, try Honey Crisp or Golden Delicious. For more tart flavor, use Braeburn or Pink Lady (sweet-tart) or Granny Smith apples (tart). Or use a combination.
• Lemon juice: (or orange juice) Helps keep the apples from browning and adds subtle ‘brightness.’
• Sugar: You can use regular sugar, brown sugar, unrefined coconut sugar, or even a sugar alternative, like Erythritol.
• Vanilla: Use vanilla paste or vanilla extract.
• Spices: This easy vegan apple strudel combines cinnamon, ground ginger, and a pinch of cardamom for a warming, cozy depth.
• Raisins: Use regular or golden raisins for added texture and sweetness. Other dried fruits, like figs, dates, cranberries, or apricots (finely chopped), also work.
• Nuts/Seeds: I love using walnuts. However, you can use any nut or seed. i.e., pecans, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, etc. Omit them if preferred.
• Powdered sugar: To dust the strudel when serving. Use powdered Erythritol if preferred.

Optional Add-ins and Recipe Variations

• Rum/brandy: Soak the raisins in the warm alcohol for 15-30 minutes.
• Citrus zest: A teaspoon of lemon zest or orange zest adds a subtle but delicious zesty flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt cuts the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
• Drizzle icing: Combine powdered sugar, apple juice, and vanilla for a simple drizzle.
• Pear strudel: Swap the apple for pear or use both.
• Jam: Spread a thin layer of jam (like apricot jam) across the dough before adding the apple filling, and reduce the amount of sugar in the filling for added depth of flavor.

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

How to Make Puff Pastry Apple Strudel

By skipping the need to make your own pastry, you can prepare this easy German apple strudel recipe with minimal hands-on effort or time. 

• First, preheat the oven to 350F/180C and roll out the sheet of puff pastry, placing it on a baking tray. I use the parchment paper it comes with to line the baking sheet.
• Then, rinse and chop the apples into ½-inch pieces and transfer them to a large bowl with the remaining filling ingredients. Stir well.
• Pour the apple mixture over the strudel dough, forming a rectangular mound in the middle with a 2-inch border all the way around.
• To seal the apple strudel, first, fold the top and bottom up and over the filling. Then, carefully fold in both sides, pinching at the seams to seal it.

If there are a few small cracks, that’s fine. However, if you want to try to fix them, use a damp finger and gently smooth/pinch them closed.

• (OPTIONAL STEP) For a more browned top, brush the pastry with melted vegan butter and sprinkle it with coarse sugar.
• Transfer the puff pastry apple strudel to the oven, seam side down, and bake for about 35 minutes until lightly golden brown on the outside.
• Allow the vegan apple strudel to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar (or powdered Erythritol), slice, and serve!

My favorite way to serve this German dessert is with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, warm vegan custard/ vanilla sauce, or dairy-free whipped cream.

Storing Instructions

Store: Allow the puff pastry apple strudel to cool, and then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Wrap the cooled pastry in plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and store it for up to 4 months in the freezer. However, note the pastry will become soft upon thawing.

Reheat: While you can enjoy this German strudel cold, I prefer it warm, so for larger amounts, reheat it in the oven. Reheat individual portions in a toaster oven or microwave (though the pastry will be soft).

Can Strudel Be Made Ahead of Time?

I don’t recommend assembling the entire pastry in advance, as the apples would make the pastry soggy. You could, however, prepare the filling a day in advance with more lemon juice to keep the apples from browning. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake.

Alternatively, freeze the unbaked apple strudel with puff pastry by wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in a Ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 4 months! Then, bake the pastry from frozen for between 40-50 minutes, or leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight first.

FAQs

Can I use filo pastry instead of puff pastry for strudel?

To use filo (phyllo pastry), you’ll need 6-7 layers of filo, each brushed with vegan melted butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar (which adds sweetness and acts as a glue). Keep them under a damp towel before using and work quickly to avoid them drying out.

How to cube the apples?

To cut the apple into 1/2-inch pieces. Hold it upright and cut 1/2 inch planks (slices) from one side towards the core. Then, place it cut-side-down on your chopping block, continuing to work around the apple core, slicing it into half-inch slices.

Then stack the two slices from each side of the apple up and cut them into 1/2-inch strips, flip that the other way, and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes. Repeat with remaining apple slices.

Can I omit the raisins and/or nuts?

You can substitute the raisins and nuts for other dried fruit and nuts/seeds, or omit them entirely.

Can I use apple pie filling?

Yes, but I find the filling gummier, and the overall flavor is not as ‘fresh.’

Recipe Notes and Top Tips

• Slice the apples evenly: That way, they’ll cook evenly. However, you can also adjust how you slice the apples and size based on your preferred texture.
• Sweeten to taste: I tweak the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of the apples.
• For softer raisins: Soak them in hot liquid (water, juice, or alcohol) for 15 minutes minimum (2 hrs. is even better) before adding them to the apple strudel filling.
• Peel vs. no peel: The peels will soften as the vegan apple strudel bakes, so you can leave them on or remove them if preferred.
• For the crisscross look: Place the spiced apple filling in the middle of the pastry, leaving 2 ½ inches border on either side, making slices every inch apart. Then grab a piece from the left and right, crisscrossing the pastry over one another like a braid and sealing them with water.

More Vegan Apple Desserts

• Apple Streusel Pie
• Plum And Apple Crumble
• Easy Apple Crumble Muffins
• Apple Cinnamon Crepes
• Vegan Blueberry Apple Crumble

If you’re in the mood for more German desserts, you might like Dampfnudel (yeast dumplings), hazelnut cookies, and Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars)

If you try this quick, easy apple strudel recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan—I love seeing them.

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