Longer-Term Storage: For longer storage, it's best to refrigerate the galette. Cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge. This can extend its shelf life for up to 4 days.
This apple puff pastry galette recipe offers the delightful flavors of a traditional apple pie, but its rustic, free-form prep makes it quicker and easier to whip up. Flaky layers of pastry hold sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples, capturing the taste of autumn in every bite. An irresistible seasonal dessert for fall and the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Easy apple desserts are a true baker’s delight, especially during the fall season when apples are at their peak of flavor and availability. These comforting desserts offer the perfect blend of simplicity and deliciousness, making them perfect for cozy evenings at home or holiday get-togethers.
Apple recipes start with just a few basic ingredients and bring the cozy comforting flavors of fall into your home. Desserts like Apple Bundt Cake (made in 1 bowl), Air Fryer Apple Fritters, and Caramel Apple Crisp Bars remind us that sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most delicious and most satisfying.
Why You'll Love This Apple Galette Recipe
Easier to make than pie with half the work!
Don't have to make a crust, just thaw some frozen puff pastry dough.
Uses just a few simple ingredients in this easy apple galette recipe.
Great apple dessert especially during fall apple season.
Perfect to serve for Thanksgiving along with the traditional Pumpkin Pie
What is a galette?
A galette is a rustic, free-form pastry that originates from France. It's often considered a simpler and more casual alternative to traditional pies and tarts. Galettes can be both sweet and savory and are incredibly versatile, allowing you to use a variety of fillings based on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand.
The preparation style is the defining characteristic of a galette. Unlike a pie or tart, which is baked in a pie dish or tart pan, a galette is made by placing the filling in the center of a circle of pastry dough on a baking sheet and then folding the edges of the dough over the filling, leaving the center exposed. This creates a charming, rustic appearance that showcases the ingredients within.
Ingredients
Apples - see below for the best variety to use
Lemon juice - to keep the apples from turning brown
White granulated sugar - to sweeten the apples
Ground cinnamon - is the perfect pairing with apples
All-purpose flour - helps thicken the filling
Egg - to help brown the edges of the puff pastry
Frozen puff pastry
Turbinado or coarse sugar - gives the crust a sweet crunch
Best Apple for Galette
Choosing the right apples for your galette is crucial to ensure a delicious outcome. You'll want apples that hold their shape during baking, offer a balanced sweetness and tartness, and provide a pleasant texture. Here are some apple varieties that work well for galettes:
Granny Smith: These apples are known for their firmness and tartness, making them an excellent choice for baking. They hold up well during the cooking process and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the filling.
Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are crisp and juicy with a balanced flavor profile. They add a nice sweetness and are often favored for their refreshing taste.
Jonagold: Jonagold apples are a hybrid between Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples. They have a slightly tart flavor and a good balance of sweetness, making them versatile for baking.
Braeburn: Braeburn apples offer a sweet-tart flavor and firm texture that holds up when baked. They have a distinctive aromatic quality that can enhance the overall flavor of the galette.
Cortland: Cortland apples are known for their snowy white flesh that doesn't brown quickly when cut. They have a slightly tart taste and are ideal for maintaining a crisp texture in your galette.
Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, making them a popular choice for both snacking and baking. They add a pleasant sweetness to the galette.
Gala: Gala apples are on the sweeter side and have a thinner skin, making them a good option for a softer texture in your galette filling.
Remember, a combination of apple varieties can also yield a well-rounded flavor and texture in your galette. Mixing sweet and tart apples can create a dynamic balance of flavors. Additionally, be sure to slice the apples thinly and uniformly for even cooking.
Ultimately, the choice of apples depends on your personal preference and what's available in your region. Experimenting with different varieties can lead to exciting and delicious results in your apple galette!
In a large bowl, sprinkle sliced apples with lemon juice. Combine sugar with cinnamon and pour over apples. Add flour and mix to incorporate.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry dough into a circle or rectangle.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and fill with apples, leaving 2" bare on the outer circle to fold over the apples. Brush the outer edge with whisked egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry turns a golden brown.
Recipe Tips
Use high-quality store-bought puff pastry because it will contribute to the flaky and buttery texture of the galette.
Slice the apples uniformly to ensure even cooking. Thin slices are preferable, as they cook through more easily during the baking process.
Remember to toss the apple slices with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning and add a subtle tang to the filling.
Adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of the apples and your personal taste preference. Taste the filling before assembling the galette to ensure it's balanced.
Brushing the pastry with a beaten egg or egg wash gives the galette a golden and shiny finish.
When folding the edges of the puff pastry over the filling, be gentle to avoid tearing the dough. The goal is to create pleats that hold the filling in place.
Recipe Variations
Apple Berry Galette - Substitute 1 apple with 1 cup of berries. Blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, and raspberry are popular choices. Alternatively, you can spread a thin layer of blackberry jam, blueberry jam, raspberry jam, or cranberry sauce over the puff pastry before adding the apple slices
Apple Butter Galette - Spread a thin layer of apple butter over the puff pastry before adding the apple slices.
Apple Caramel Galette - Pour some caramel sauce over the apples.
Apple Pear Galette - Substitute 2 apples with 2 pears.
Apple Rhubarb Galette - Substitute 1 apple with 1 cup of chopped rhubarb.
Apple Galette with Cheese - Place thin slices of brie, cheddar cheese, or cream cheese over the puff pastry before adding the apple slices.
Apple Galette with Nuts - Mix ½ cup of almond, pecan, or walnut pieces with the apple slices.
Mini Apple Galettes - Cut the puff pastry into 6 or 7-inch rounds.
How to Serve Apple Galette
Apple galette is best enjoyed warm or at room temperature. If you're serving it later and it has cooled completely, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds to regain that warm, comforting quality.
Consider adding a finishing touch to your apple galette slices. You can sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top for a touch of sweetness. Alternatively, you could serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. These toppings can complement the warm and flaky pastry along with the flavors of the apple filling.
Serve it for dessert, breakfast, or snack with a beverage:
Short-Term Storage: If you plan to eat the apple galette within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature. Cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
Longer-Term Storage: For longer storage, it's best to refrigerate the galette. Cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge. This can extend its shelf life for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Once the galette is cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container with the date and contents and place it in the freezer. The frozen galette can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: To reheat the galette, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the thawed galette slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until fully heated through and the pastry is golden brown and crispy. This will usually take about 10 minutes, but keep an eye on it to prevent over-baking.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place the sliced apples in a large bowl and sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar with cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the apples. Stir in flour and toss to coat.
Lightly flour a flat surface and place the thawed puff pastry dough on top. Roll into a circle (14"D) or a rectangle.
Lift the puff pastry dough and carefully place on the prepared baking sheet.
Pour the apple mixture over the pastry dough, evening it out but stopping 2" from the edges.
Fold the edge of the puff pastry over some of the filling. Most of the apples will not be covered.
Whisk the egg and brush it over the edge of the puff pastry edge then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake the galette for 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
Serve immediately topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
STORING
Short-Term Storage: If you plan to eat the apple galette within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature. Cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
Longer-Term Storage: For longer storage, it's best to refrigerate the galette. Cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge. This can extend its shelf life for up to 4 days.
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