Score big at your next game day with these irresistible Mini Football Turnovers – an easy, delicious treat that’s perfect for Superbowl parties!
Huddle up, football fans… Imagine the delight of your guests when they’re greeted with these charming, football-shaped pastries, oozing with delicious sweet filling. Not only are they a visual touchdown, but they also taste like a winning play!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Game Day Ready: These mini turnovers, shaped like footballs, are perfect for Super Bowl parties or sports events.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these turnovers are hassle-free, ideal for new and experienced bakers.
Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to different tastes with various fillings and either homemade or store-bought pastry.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these turnovers in advance to ease your party planning. (Did you know you can freeze pre-baked turnovers so they are ready to bake fresh whenever you get a hankering?)
Crowd-Pleaser: Their delicious taste and fun football theme will charm your guests, making these turnovers a sure hit at any football gathering.
Ingredients Needed To Make Mini Turnovers
With only 4 simple ingredients you can make fresh mini football turnovers for your next game day or Super Bowl party! Here’s what you’ll need.
- Frozen puff pastry
- Pie filling of your choice (cherry, apple, blueberry, etc.)
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Simple Vanilla Icing (homemade or store-bought)
Recipe Overview For Football Turnovers
*Find the full recipe and instructions below on the recipe card.*
Creating these mini turnovers is a breeze. Start by thawing the puff pastry, cut it into squares, and spoon in your chosen filling. Seal them up into little triangular packets of joy, brush with egg wash for that golden finish, and bake to perfection. Once cooled, the fun begins – decorate these beauties with icing to mimic a football’s iconic laces!
Recipe Tips
- Filling Prep: For chunkier fillings like apple, chop them into smaller bits for a seamless filling experience.
- Sealing Secrets: Overfilling is a no-go. Seal edges with a fork for that perfect crimp. This will help the turnovers from “popping.” I had little helpers the day I took photos of these those that’s why I had some that popped.
- Egg Wash Elegance: A dash of water in your egg wash goes a long way. It ensures an even, golden crust that’s as inviting as it is tasty.
Variations
Feel free to experiment with different fillings or icing flavors. The sky’s the limit! Here are some ideas:
Mini Turnover Fillings:
- Pie Fillings – cherry, apple, blueberry, lemon, pumpkin
- Chocolate
- Nutella
- Jams
- Almond paste
Football Turnover Icing Flavors:
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Easy Almond Icing
- Fruit flavors – lemon, strawberry, blueberry
- Nutella
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these turnovers larger?
Yes, if you’re looking for the classic size turnover feel free to make 4 turnovers per sheet of puff pastry. Also make sure to increase the bake time by a few minutes or until the turnovers are puffed, flakey and golden brown.
Can I use homemade pastry dough instead of store-bought?
Yes, you can! If you’re up for the challenge, homemade puff pastry can be a delightful alternative to store-bought. Remember, the key to light, flaky turnovers is keeping the dough cold during preparation, so handle it as little as possible. Here’s a homemade puff pastry recipe from my friend Sam over at Sugar Spun Run.
Why do my turnovers sometimes ‘pop’ open?
This can happen if they’re overfilled or not sealed properly. Keep the filling modest and ensure a good crimp! If they do happen to pop open they will still taste yummy!
Can I make these turnovers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare these turnovers a day in advance. After baking, let them cool completely, then store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature. Check out the section below “Storage and Freezing” for more information.
What’s the best way to transport football turnovers to a party?
To transport your turnovers, first ensure they are completely cool, especially if they have been iced. Place them in a single layer in a shallow, airtight container. If you need to stack them, use parchment paper or waxed paper between layers to prevent sticking. I like using a cookie sheet with a lid.
Storage and Freezing
Storage Duration:
Freshness is key with these turnovers. At room temperature, they’ll stay good for 2 to 3 days. If you refrigerate them, they can last up to 5 days. For even longer freshness, consider freezing them before baking. This way, you can enjoy freshly baked turnovers whenever you want.
Freezing Unbaked Turnovers:
Yes, you can freeze these turnovers! For future convenience, assemble and then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they’re solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method is a fan favorite for its ease and the ability to bake fresh desserts quickly. When you’re ready to bake, no thawing is needed – just bake them a few minutes longer than usual. Many people swear by freezing before baking allowing for a quick easy dessert at in now time.
Transporting to Parties:
Transporting turnovers is easy, but make sure they are completely cooled first, especially if they have icing. Arrange them in a single layer in a shallow, airtight container. If you need to stack them, separate the layers with parchment or waxed paper to prevent sticking. A cookie sheet with a lid is a great option for both ease and keeping them intact.
Other Recipes You May Like
If these Mini Football Turnovers have you ready for more Superbowl party food ideas, you’ll definitely want to check out my 37+ Super Bowl Party Food Ideas roundup. It’s sure to bring a touchdown to your next Super Bowl party. You may also love the Classic Eclairs and Easy Reuben Bombs. Both are perfect companions for any gathering, especially when the game’s on!
Mini Turnovers Recipe Card:
Mini Turnovers
Easy mini turnovers made to look like a football and filled with your favorite pie filling. An easy 4-ingredient Superbowl party dessert everyone will enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 17.3oz box frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)
- 1 18-21oz can pie filling (cherry, apple, blueberry, etc), cut into small 1/4 inch chunks
- Egg wash, 1 egg and a few drops of water whisked together
- Simple Vanilla Icing, store-bought or homemade (1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 Tbs cream or milk)
Instructions
- Thaw puff pastry according to box instructions.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 9 equal squares (3x3)
- Add 1-2 tablespoons pie filling to each square. Fold diagonal corners to form a triangle.
- Using fork tines and crimp edges to seal.
- Place 9 mini turnovers onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Brush tops with egg wash.
- Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes or until turnovers are golden brown.
- Let cool completely (at least 30 minutes), then pipe simple vanilla icing on top.
Notes
- For easy cleanup, use a ziploc bag or disposable piping bag with a 1/4 inch hole cut in the tip to pipe ice onto turnovers.
- To add a fun game day touch, pipe a long straight line of icing with a few shorter lines perpendicular to it. This will make your mini turnovers look like a mini football.
- Bake in two sessions. If you prepare all turnovers at the same time, bake half immediately and place the other half in the fridge until you're ready to put them in the oven. This will ensure that the fat in the puff pastry dough will stay cold (which allows the dough to bake up light and flaky).
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Originally Posted: 01.11.2020 Updated (photos and text): 02.11.2024
Made them today for Super Bowl. They came out OK. The apple they said dint have enough filling I put in a tsp and a half and it was oozing out. Blueberry seemed to be filled perfectly. I used a fork and pulled out the berries 6 to a turnover . It did have some syrup they were more flavorful. This is definitely a saver for me. I will try and figure out how to pump up the apple without oozing . Only if that is possible. :0)
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
Hi Nonnie! If you figure out how to get those apples ones to not ooze at all, you’d definitely have to let me know. I’m glad you had a great Super Bowl and that the blueberry came out well. Happy baking!