Oh my gosh, you have to try these Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers! I stumbled upon this combo by accident one lazy Sunday when I had leftover rotisserie chicken and some puff pastry staring at me from the fridge. Who knew maple syrup could make chicken taste so incredible? And the air fryer? Absolute game-changer. It gives that perfect golden crunch to the pastry without any fuss – no babysitting needed like with oven baking. Now these turnovers consist of my go-to appetizer when friends pop by unexpectedly. The sweet-savory magic happens in under 30 minutes, and trust me, nobody can eat just one!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers
These turnovers are my secret weapon for so many reasons – let me count the ways:
- Crazy quick: From fridge to table in under 30 minutes when you’re starving or guests arrive unexpectedly
- Foolproof crispy: The air fryer gives that perfect golden crunch without the oven’s hot spots
- Flavor magic: Maple syrup caramelizes the chicken into something special – sweet meets savory in the best way
- Endless possibilities: Swap fillings based on what’s in your fridge (hello, Thanksgiving leftovers!)
- Crowd-pleaser: Always the first appetizer to disappear at parties – even picky kids beg for seconds
Seriously, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible turnovers – with my personal notes from years of testing:
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed overnight in fridge – trust me, cold dough handles better!)
- 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded rotisserie chicken gives best flavor)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup (use the real stuff – pancake syrup won’t caramelize right)
- 1/4 tsp salt (I use kosher – it distributes better than table salt)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ed makes all the difference)
- 1 egg (beaten with 1 tsp water for the perfect egg wash)
See? Just six simple ingredients that probably live in your kitchen already – now let’s make magic happen!
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need anything fancy for these turnovers – just grab:
- Your trusty air fryer (mine’s a basic model and works perfectly)
- A medium mixing bowl (I use my favorite vintage Pyrex)
- Pastry brush (the silicone ones clean up easier)
- A fork for crimping edges (grandma’s trick!)
That’s it! No special gadgets required – just everyday kitchen tools.
How to Make Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers
Okay, let’s get cooking! These turnovers come together so fast you’ll be amazed – but don’t rush the steps. Each one matters for that perfect golden crunch.
Step 1: Prep the Filling
First, grab that shredded chicken and toss it in your mixing bowl. Here’s my trick – drizzle the maple syrup while stirring so every bit gets coated evenly. Then sprinkle in the salt and pepper (I usually sneak in an extra pinch of pepper because I love the kick). Give it a taste – want more maple? Add another teaspoon. More savory? Another pinch of salt. This filling should make you go “Mmm!” when you sample it.
Step 2: Assemble the Turnovers
Now for the fun part! Unfold your puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface (cold dough handles better, remember?). Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares – I use a pizza cutter for clean lines. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto one half of each square, leaving a border. Fold diagonally into triangles and press the edges together firmly – this is crucial so they don’t burst open! Then take a fork and crimp those edges like you’re sealing an envelope. Grandma always said this gives the best seal.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this helps get that instant crisp! While it heats, brush each turnover with egg wash (that beaten egg with a splash of water). Don’t skip this – it’s what gives that gorgeous golden color. Arrange them in the basket with space between (I do 3-4 at a time). Air fry for 10-12 minutes until they puff up gloriously and turn deep golden brown. Peek at 8 minutes – all air fryers run a bit different. When they look like little golden pillows of joy, they’re done!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers
After making these turnovers more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee perfection every time:
- Patience with pastry: Thaw puff pastry overnight in the fridge – rushing with room temperature thawing makes it sticky and hard to work with
- Less is more: Resist overfilling! Too much chicken mixture makes sealing impossible (trust me, I’ve had messy explosions)
- Egg wash magic: That beaten egg wash isn’t just for color – it helps seal edges and creates the perfect crisp texture
- Air fryer quirks: If your model cooks unevenly, rotate the basket halfway through (mine needs this at the 6-minute mark)
- Golden rule: They’re done when deeply golden – pale spots mean undercooked pastry (but don’t wait for dark brown or they’ll dry out)
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll have restaurant-quality turnovers right from your air fryer!
Variations for Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers
One of my favorite things about this recipe? You can riff on it endlessly! Here are my go-to twists when I’m feeling creative:
- Turkey swap: Leftover Thanksgiving turkey with cranberry sauce instead of maple syrup – holiday flavors in every bite!
- Veggie delight: Sautéed mushrooms and onions with thyme for a meatless Monday version
- Spice it up: Add smoked paprika or cayenne to the chicken for a kick
- Cheesy goodness: Toss in some shredded cheddar or crumbled goat cheese before folding
The possibilities are endless – what combo will you try first? If you like savory appetizers, check out these Air Fryer Crab Rangoon!
Serving Suggestions
These turnovers shine in so many ways! My favorite is serving them warm with a drizzle of extra maple syrup for dipping – the sweet-savory combo is unreal. For parties, arrange them on a platter with honey mustard or garlic aioli. They’re also perfect alongside a crisp apple salad or roasted veggies for a quick lunch. Honestly? They disappear so fast I’m lucky if any make it to the table!
Storage & Reheating
Here’s the best part – these turnovers stay delicious for days! Store any leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. They’ll come out crispy and warm, just like fresh! No soggy microwave reheating here – the air fryer brings them right back to life.
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on these tasty turnovers – keep in mind these are estimates since brands vary. Each golden pocket of goodness comes in at about 220 calories, with 12g fat (mostly from that flaky puff pastry we love) and a solid 8g protein from the chicken. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent! Remember, actual nutrition depends on your specific ingredients – especially that maple syrup quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked these questions all the time about my favorite Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers – here’s everything you need to know:
Can I freeze these turnovers?
Absolutely! Freeze them before air frying – just assemble, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. When cravings hit, pop them straight from freezer to air fryer (add 2-3 extra minutes). For more freezer-friendly ideas, look at these Air Fryer Pizza Rolls.
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
You can, but the flavor changes completely! Maple syrup caramelizes differently and gives that signature taste. Honey works in a pinch, but trust me – real maple makes all the difference.
Why did my turnovers burst open?
Probably overfilled! Stick to 2 tablespoons max per turnover, and really press those edges tight. The fork crimping helps – don’t skip it!
Can I make these vegetarian?
Of course! Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or roasted butternut squash. The maple syrup pairs beautifully with earthy veggies.
Now that you’re a turnover expert – go make some magic! Tag me with your creations – I love seeing your twists on this recipe!
Print
17-Minute Air Fryer Savory Maple Turnovers That Blew My Mind
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 turnovers
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and easy recipe for savory maple turnovers made in the air fryer for a crispy, golden finish.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut into 4 equal squares per sheet.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon the chicken mixture onto each pastry square.
- Fold each square diagonally into a triangle and seal edges with a fork.
- Brush each turnover with beaten egg.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry is fully thawed before use.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Check turnovers halfway through cooking to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American