Turkey Apple Sausage Rolls

These mini turkey apple sausage rolls are so tasty, they're almost impossible to resist! Stuffed with seasoned turkey with bits of sweet apple and baked until golden brown, the rolls pair wonderfully with homemade apple mustard sauce.

Watch how to make this

Ingredients

• Ground turkey: Serves as the primary protein in the sausage rolls. It is leaner than traditional sausage meat but still yields a juicy filling.
• Honeycrisp apple: Honeycrisp apples are sweet and juicy, contributing a natural sweetness and moisture to the filling. Their firm texture holds up well during cooking making them ideal for this recipe. You can also use Granny Smith apples or Fuji apples.
• Onion: Adds a savory depth to the filling and provides moisture and sweetness when cooked.
• Maple syrup: Gives sweetness to the filling and the apple mustard sauce.
• Seasonings: Flavor the ground turkey with fresh thyme, garlic powder, dried sage, ground fennel, and nutmeg for flavors reminiscent of fall. These flavors also compliment the apples.
• Breadcrumbs: Act as a binder in the filling, helping to hold the mixture together and providing a bit of texture. They absorb moisture, ensuring the filling remains cohesive during baking.
• Puff pastry: Provides a flaky, buttery texture that contrasts beautifully with the savory filling. I used Pepperfridge Farm puff pastry which includes 2 sheets per package.
• Stone ground mustard: Stone ground mustard adds a tangy, slightly coarse texture to the apple mustard sauce, enhancing its flavor and providing a nice contrast to the sweetness of the honey and apples.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a smooth, sharp flavor to the sauce.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds acidity to the mustard sauce, brightening the flavors.

Substitutions and variations

• Protein: You can substitute ground pork with ground chicken, ground pork, or a combination of ground meats.
• Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free puff pastry or use gluten-free pie dough for a different crust. Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Make apple mustard sauce

Let's start by making the apple mustard sauce. In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add chopped onion and apple. Make sure both the onion and apple are finely chopped because they're also going in the turkey filling.

Sauté the mixture for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion and apple are softened. After cooking, remove the pan from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Set aside half of this mixture for later use in the turkey filling.

Take the remaining half of the sautéed apples and onions and transfer them to a blender. Add stone ground mustard, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar and puree until smooth.

We're using a combination of stone ground mustard and Dijon mustard because stone ground mixture gives a great texture while Dijon adds a sharper taste.

Let the apple mustard sauce cool and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare filling

Once the apple and onion mixture has cooled, combine it in a large bowl with ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, fresh thyme, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried sage, ground fennel, and nutmeg. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

I used fresh thyme but you can also use dried thyme. You also experiment with the seasonings and add other dried herbs such as Italian seasoning or even add a pinch of cinnamon.

Step 3: Shape rolls

Next, cut the two sheets of puff pastry into four long strips by slicing each of the two sheets in half lengthwise. Shape the turkey filling into logs that match the length of the puff pastry strips and place the filling towards the bottom of each pastry strip.

To ensure that the filling stays inside during baking, brush the edges of the pastry with an egg wash made from 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. Carefully roll the puff pastry over the filling to encase it, gently pressing down to seal the edges.

Once all the rolls are formed, cut each log into 8 pieces, approximately 1 inch wide, for a total of 32 bites. Use a sharp knife to get clean cuts.

Step 4: Bake

Place the mini rolls on the prepared baking sheet with the seam side facing down to help keep them sealed during baking. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Bake the sausage rolls in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. To check for doneness, look for a deep golden color on the pastry and ensure that the filling is cooked through.

Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. The turkey apple sausage rolls are best enjoyed warm, accompanied by the apple mustard sauce for dipping.

I can proudly say that these might be one of those addicting little bites I've made. The flaky buttery crust is filled with a wonderfully seasoned turkey sausage that warms you from head to toe. The sausage roll is already delicious but dip it in the homemade apple mustard sauce and you have one incredible snack. Now if only I could stop eating these!

Make-ahead and storage tips

• Make-ahead: You can prepare the turkey filling and make the apple mustard sauce the day before. You can also assemble the turkey bites and chill them in the fridge until ready to bake.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Frequently asked questions

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Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Turkey Apple Sausage Rolls

Yields 32 bites

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pastry, turkey

Servings: 8

Author: Christine Ma

Ingredients

Turkey apple sausage rolls

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cups peeled and finely chopped Honeycrisp apple
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 pound ground turkey
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried sage
• ½ teaspoon ground fennel
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 17.3 ounces puff pastry 2 sheets
• egg wash 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Apple mustard sauce

• 3 tablespoons stone ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and apple and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Set aside half and let cool.
• With the remaining half make the apple mustard sauce. Combine the sauteed apples and onion in a blender. Add stone ground mustard, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Puree until smooth. Set aside.
• Once cooled, combine sauteed apples and onion with ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, sage, fennel, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix until well combined. Divide turkey filling into 4 portions.
• Cut the 2 sheets of puff pastry in half lengthwise, making 4 long strips. Shape the turkey filling into logs the same length as the puff pastry and place filling towards the bottom of the pastry. Brush egg wash along the edges and roll puff pastry into a log, encasing the filling. Gently press down to seal the edges and repeat with remaining pastry and filling.
• Cut each log into 8 pieces, about 1 inch wide, for a total of 32 pieces. Place mini rolls on the prepared baking sheet with the seam side down. Brush egg wash on top and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with apple mustard sauce.

Notes

The apple mustard sauce and turkey filling can be prepared the day before.

You can form the turkey rolls, cut them into bites, and store them in the fridge until ready to bake.