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A golden-brown quick 3 ingredient apple danish is presented on a clean white surface, showcasing its flaky pastry and visible apple filling.

Quick 3-Ingredient Apple Danishes (Air Fryer/Oven)

These incredibly easy apple danishes come together in minutes with just store-bought puff pastry, canned apple pie filling, and a simple two-ingredient glaze, perfect for a quick breakfast or dessert.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 pieces
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, European
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Danishes
  • 1 sheet Puff Pastry from a 17.3 oz package, thawed
  • 1 cup Apple Pie Filling canned, roughly chopped if chunks are too large
For the Simple Glaze
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1-2 tsp Milk or water, adjust as needed

Equipment

  • Air Fryer (or Baking Sheet)
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter
  • Parchment paper (optional)

Method
 

Prepare Danish Bases
  1. Gently unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Cut the sheet into 6 equal rectangles (e.g., cut in half, then each half into thirds).
  2. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the chopped apple pie filling onto the center of each puff pastry rectangle.
  3. Bring two opposite corners of each pastry rectangle towards the center over the filling and gently press to seal, creating an open square or a slightly cinched shape. Ensure the filling is mostly enclosed but still visible.
Cook the Danishes
  1. For Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange danishes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd (you may need to cook in batches). Air fry for 10-14 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. For Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Finish and Serve
  1. While danishes are cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of milk in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk, a tiny bit at a time, if the glaze is too thick, or a pinch more powdered sugar if it's too thin, until you achieve a pourable consistency.
  2. Drizzle the prepared glaze generously over the warm danishes. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Ensure puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold for easy handling. If it gets too warm, it can become sticky. For a golden sheen and slight additional sweetness, you can brush the edges of the pastry with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water) before baking/air frying, though this adds a 4th ingredient. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in an oven or air fryer for a crispy texture.