A plate of pumpkin turnovers fresh out of the oven.

Pumpkin Turnovers

Don’t let your leftover pumpkin puree go to waste – take it and add a few dashes of spice to create delicious pumpkin turnovers! These little triangles are perfect for appetizers or desserts… or even breakfast. I won’t tell.

A plate of pumpkin turnovers fresh out of the oven.
Pumpkin Turnovers

These pumpkin turnovers are deceptively easy. In fact, I love to keep puff pastry in the freezer just for quick recipes like this. Today, I was able to solve the problem of what to do with leftover pumpkin puree while also giving my family some yummy seasonal turnovers to nibble on!

A blue and green plate filled with pumpkin turnovers. The plate sits on a white printed napkin.

Have you carved all your pumpkins yet? What’s your pumpkin carving style, I wonder? Triangles for eyes and a goofy smile? Or are you the type to sit and carve for hours?

I’ll never forget the first Halloween I spent with my husband, back when we were newly dating. We carved pumpkins. Mine was pseudo fancy, but definitely not my best work. With a ton of papers and the weight of grad school heavy on my back, I didn’t have time to give my jack o’lantern the TLC it deserved. But as I studied and wrote on that autumn afternoon, my hubby carved and carved for hours, creating quite a mummy masterpiece.

Nowadays, we include the kids in the carving, and they’re finally at an age where they have fun with fancy stencils and funky designs. We will probably spend a good afternoon carving away this weekend.

A plate of turnovers sits in front of a cup of milk.

Pumpkin Turnovers

If, in your pumpkin escapades, you find yourself with a little extra pumpkin puree, whether it is homemade or store bought, turn that precious orange goodness into a filling for these buttery turnovers. I always find myself with a little extra pumpkin from other recipes, don’t you? Well, don’t let it go to waste – these puffy pockets are just the thing.

P.S. Before you start, make sure that you’re using pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. If you have pumpkin pie filling, omit the sugar and spices!

Enjoy your Halloween weekend, everyone! I’d love to know how you’re spending the holiday. Carving pumpkins? Dressing up? Trick or Treating? Pumpkin Turnovers?

Small pumpkins create the backdrop of the plate of freshly baked goodies.

More Ways to Use Pumpkin Puree:

Habanero Spiced Pumpkin Soup
Chocolate Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Buttermilk Pumpkin Bread
Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies

More Reasons to Keep Puff Pastry Around:

White Chicken Curry Pot Pie
Pissaladière with Prosciutto + A Day in Wine Country with Lindsay Olives
Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts with Yogurt Pastry Cream
Olive Cheese Straws

Pumpkin Turnovers

Nothing tastes more like autumn than pumpkin, and these delightful little turnovers don’t disappoint!
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 224kcal

Ingredients

  • 3-4 oz pumpkin puree
  • 1/3-1/2 cup brown sugar to taste, depending on your pumpkin
  • 1 oz light cream cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • puff pastry cut into 4-inch squares
  • 1 egg
  • turbinado sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Allow frozen puff pastry to thaw on the counter while you make the filling, about 10 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cream cheese, and spices until all ingredients are smooth and well incorporated. Place in the freezer to chill while you prepare the puff pastry.
  • Cut your puff pastry into eight 4-inch squares. Place each square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Whisk the egg and lightly brush each square with egg wash.
  • Take the chilled filling and place a heaping tablespoon in the center of the pastry. Fold pastry over diagonally, and seal the edges with your fingers. Fill each pastry.
  • Lightly brush egg wash over the tops of each turnover and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. If preparing ahead of time, you can freeze the prepared turnovers until ready to bake.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the pastry has puffed and is a golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool 10 minutes prior to serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1704IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. Lacy

    Your turnovers look gorgeous and I’m sure they are nothing short of amazing! I wish my boyfriend would carve pumpkins with me! I’ve asked every Halloween for the past 5 yrs!

    Reply
  2. kita

    What beautiful pumpkin turnovers. Handsome and my first date was technically on Halloween, though it took another year before we carved our own pumpkins. We weren’t able to fit it in this year with school and work and I am a little sad for it. Who knows, maybe we can still do it and the neighbors won’t look at us too funny for putting them out late. ;)

    Reply
  3. Kaitlin

    I just can’t get enough pumpkin. I absolutely love this recipe!! I can’t wait to make it myself!

    Reply
  4. skip to malou

    you know now that you asked, to be honest, i never carved any pumpkin yet… i always wanted but i don’t know why i haven’t yet thinking back i should have…
    but one thing sure, i could bake these pumpkin turnovers and make my kids forget that we never had any carving pumpkin memories haha.
    happy halloween!
    malou

    Reply
  5. Betty Ann @Mango_Queen

    These look absolutely divine! Thanks for sharing, Liren! Enjoy Halloween!

    Reply
  6. Curt

    Great idea for the leftovers. Which there always is. Those look awesome. I’ll bet even better warmed up with ice cream on it!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Yes! My husband and son both suggested the same thing – with the tub of amazing pumpkin ice cream in the freezer :)

      Reply
  7. angela@spinachtiger

    A lovely idea and a truly beautiful photo. There is always a little pumpkin left over somewhere. I have so many pumpkins to carve today and I don’t know how I’ll find the time, but it’s so much fun, a tradition we didn’t do growing up.

    Reply
  8. kankana

    yeah we couple did some simple carving :) This turnover sounds so yummy crispy. My husband doesn’t like pumpkins .. can you believe it!

    Reply
  9. Roxana GreenGirl

    i love cooking with pumpkin. in fact I still have 3 pie pumpkins waiting to become something delicious. your turnover look amazing! great idea to use some leftover pumpkin puree.

    Reply
  10. Monet

    What a great way to use up that extra pumpkin. Thank you for sharing another delightful treat with me. It warms my heart to visit…and it makes my stomach growl! I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday full of laughter and good food. I’m eating a bowl of soup and I’m thankful for these cooler days!

    Reply
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