• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie World Recipes
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Meals
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Sauces, Dips & Jams
    • Holiday Specials
  • Contact
  • Social
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Social
  • eBookNEW!
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Social
    • eBookNEW!
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    • A hand holding up a slice of dairy free cornbread topped with maple butter.
      Tender & Sweet Dairy-Free Cornbread
    • A bowl of one pot vegan chili topped with vegan sour cream, avocado, and tortillas.
      One-Pot Vegan Chili
    • A vegan panna cotta with some bites taken to show the inside of the dish.
      Vegan Panna Cotta
    • A piece of vegan coconut cake with frosting on top on a plate with a bite missing.
      Vegan Coconut Cake
    • A slice of 2 ingredient cake on a white plate.
      Super Easy 2 Ingredient Cake
    • A glass of coffee mousse garnished with whipped cream and coffee beans.
      Coffee Mousse
    • A slice of dairy free pumpkin pie on a plate.
      Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie
    • Two scoops of vegan pistachio ice cream on a cone.
      Creamy Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream
    • Two scoops of coconut sorbet on a sugar cone.
      Tropical Coconut Sorbet
    • An apple cinnamon roll held up over a baking dish of more.
      Warm and Gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls
    • A vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips and flaky salt held up in two fingers.
      Chewy Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
    • A vegan mug cake topped with ice cream and strawberries ready to eat.
      5-Minute Vegan Mug Cake
    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Vegan Apple Pop Tarts

    Published: Nov 7, 2023 by Gaby Dimova · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    86 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe

    Are you ready to indulge in an irresistible flaky pastry filled with the mouthwatering flavor of spiced apples? Look no further than these homemade vegan pop tarts!! These delightful, handheld apple pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you're craving something sweet and fruity.

    A homemade pop tart broken in half to show the inside held up over the baking pan with more.

    Now you can make this sweet treat at home with my easy recipe! It's way easier than you would think and I am going to show you exactly how to do it! You won't be disappointed because these homemade treats taste way better than traditional pop tarts or anything you can buy at the store and even better they're vegan!

    Love apples? Then you definitely need to try my apple baked oats, apple puff pastry danish, and apple dessert bars!

    What You'll Need to Make Homemade Vegan Pop Tarts

    Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make homemade vegan pop tarts! The full list and quantities are in the recipe card further down the page.

    • All-purpose flour: Necessary to give the structure to the crust for your pop tarts.
    • Sugar: Use regular granulated sugar to add a bit of sweetness to the dough while brown sugar is best to give the apples more depth of flavor than regular sugar. Powdered sugar works best to make the frosting as it dissolves more easily into the other ingredients for a smooth texture.
    • Vegan butter: A main component of the homemade pop tart dough but you will also need some for cooking the apple filling.
    • Apples: Fresh apples are the winner here!! Use your favorite baking apple. Granny Smith apples, Honey Crisp, Gala, and Pink Lady are just a few that are known for making pie filling.
    • Cinnamon: Apple's favorite spice. You can also use apple pie blend spice if you want a bit more complex spiced flavor.
    • Vanilla extract: Adds aroma and hints of warmth to the apple filling and the frosting. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
    • Cornstarch: A simple thickener is added to the apples to make the mixture a bit more firm.
    • Vegan cream cheese: This makes the base for the creamy cinnamon-flavored frosting for your pop tarts.
    • Dairy-free milk: Just a touch of non-dairy milk is all it takes to thin out the frosting a bit.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Swap the apples for pears! This is an easy swap without the need to change much in the recipe!
    • Experiment with other fruits. You can definitely make pop tarts with a strawberry filling or other type of berry. I'd use the same process but skip the cinnamon.
    • Skip the homemade filling. Use vegan apple butter or other fruit jam instead! This does tend to make a thinner and sweeter pop tart.
    • Gluten-free pop tarts. Swap the flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. The brand King Arthur has the best 1-to-1 blend in my opinion.
    • Dough time-saving tip. If you don't have time or don't want to mess with the homemade you can also use a vegan puff pastry or vegan pie dough instead. These are often available in the grocery store in the refrigerator or freezer section.

    How to Make Vegan Pop Tarts

    Let's get started with how to make vegan pop tarts! There are a few different components involved and takes a bit of time but it's not too difficult, I promise!

    Step 1: Make the Dough for Homemade Pop Tarts

    1. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cubed butter in a large bowl. Use your hands to break up the butter clumps and mix with the dry ingredients.
    2. Add the cold water and mix it into the butter and flour mixture until it forms a dough. Refrigerate the dough ball for at least 45 minutes before rolling it out.

    PRO TIP: It's essential that you start with cold butter and use cold water. This will help produce a flakier crust for your pop tarts.

    Mixing the vegan butter into the flour mixture to make pop tart dough.
    Adding water to the pop tart dough mixture in a bowl.

    Step 2: Make the Filling

    1. Cook the diced apples with the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Cook until the apples have softened, stirring occasionally.
    2. Use an immersion blender to blend the filling.
    Cooking the apples in a pot.
    Blending the pop tart filling in a pot.
    1. Add the cornstarch and cook the filling until it thickens.
    Pureed apple pop tart filling cooking in a skillet.

    Step 3: Roll Out and Fill Pop Tarts

    1. Roll out the pop tart dough on a clean, lightly floured surface using a rolling pin. Cut the dough into 5 by 7-inch rectangles using a knife, pizza cutter, or pastry cutter. The goal is 16 rectangles so you will be making 8 pop tarts.
    2. Place eight of the rectangles of dough on a lined baking sheet and place a dollop of the filling in the center of the square.
    Slicing the rolled out dough into rectangles to make pop tart shape.
    Adding the apple filling to a piece of pop tart dough.
    1. Place the second rectangle of dough on top and seal the pop tart with a fork around the edges.
    2. Poke three small air holes on the top of each pop tart using a fork. Lightly brush maple syrup on the tops of the pop tarts. This will work as a vegan egg wash to help the pop tarts brown a bit on top while cooking. Bake the pop tarts until they're cooked.
    Pop tart assembled and edges crimped with a fork on a baking tray.
    Poking holes in the top piece of dough with a fork.

    Step 4: Make the Frosting

    1. Whisk together the frosting ingredients until they're combined.
    2. Spread on top of your fully cooled pop tarts and sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon on top.
    Mixing the pop tart icing in a bowl.
    Spreading the icing on the top of a baked pop tart.

    Enjoy!

    A pop tart spit in half and the two pieces held together by hands.

    Recipe Tips

    • Cold Butter and Ingredients. Always start pie dough or in this case, pop tart dough with cold ingredients. It's helpful to place the butter in the freezer for ten minutes before mixing to make sure it's extra cold.
    • Fully Cooled Pop Tarts. Make sure your pop tarts are fully cooled before you add the frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt right off.
    • Chill Your Dough. This gives the dough time to rest but also the butter will warm up while you are working with it so giving it time to chill allows the butter to firm up again. This not only makes it easier to work with, but it also makes sure your dough bakes up flakier.
    • Enjoy Immediately. I find these always taste best on the first day but if you have leftovers store them in a single layer in the fridge for up to three days.

    Video

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I freeze vegan pop tarts?

    Yes, you can freeze unfrosted vegan pop tarts. Store them in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw them out on the counter and then add your frosting and enjoy! I don't recommend freezing them if frosted as the vegan cream cheese doesn't usually freeze well.

    Will vegan pop tarts cook up golden brown?

    Typically an egg wash is brushed over the top of the pastry to help it brown. Since this recipe is vegan it won't brown the same way. Adding the maple syrup on top helps but they likely won't get as browned on top but they will still taste amazing!

    Can I enjoy a vegan toaster pastry warm?

    If you prefer to enjoy it warm you can heat up the desired amount in an oven, air fryer, or toaster oven. Just make sure to store them without the frosting if you plan to warm up. You can add the frosting to your warm pop tart but it will likely melt a bit and could slide off. Another option is to serve the frosting on the side as a sweet dip!

    A hand holding a full pop tart up over the baking tray.

    More Apple Recipes

    • two slices of apple toast on a plate
      Caramelized Apple Toast
    • Apple Pancakes With Caramelized Apple Topping
    • vegan apple crumble
      Vegan Apple Crumble
    • slice of vegan apple pie
      The Best Easy Vegan Apple Pie Recipe
    A pop tart on a plate with one broken in half and stacked on top of another showing the inside.

    Vegan Apple Pop Tarts

    Gaby Dimova
    These homemade vegan pop tarts are delightful, handheld apple pastries that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you're craving something sweet and fruity.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Chill time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8

    Ingredients
      

    Dough Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 300 g
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup vegan butter 227 g
    • ¼ cup cold water

    Filling Ingredients

    • 3 medium apples
    • 1 tablespoon vegan butter
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • pinch salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

    Frosting

    • ½ cup vegan cream cheese
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 tablespoon dairy-free milk
    • pinch salt

    Instructions
     

    • Start by cutting the cold butter into cubes.
    • Prepare the dough by combining the flour, sugar, salt, and cubed butter and combining with your hands, breaking up the butter clumps. Then add the cold water and mix until it forms a dough.
    • Refrigerate the dough for 45 minutes. Otherwise, it will be too soft to roll out.
    • While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. Finely chop the apples and add them to a pan over medium heat. Add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples have softened.
    • Use an immersion blender to blend the filling. Then add the cornstarch and cook the filling for another 2-3 minutes, until the filling thickens.
    • Roll out the pop tart dough over a clean, lightly floured surface. Cut out 5 by 7 inch rectangles. You should make 16 rectangles, making 8 pop tarts.
    • Place 8 dough rectangles on a lined baking sheet, place a dollop of filling in the center, and enclose with another dough rectangle.
    • Seal the pop tart with a fork, then cut off the excess edges (optional). Poke 3 small holes on the top of each pop tart using a fork. Lightly brush maple syrup, on top of the pop tarts, substituting for egg wash.
    • Bake the pop tarts for 20 minutes at 350*F/ 175*C.
    • While the pop tarts are baking, whisk together the frosting ingredients until combined.
    • Once the pop tarts have baked and have fully cooled off, top them with the frosting, sprinkle extra cinnamon on top, and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Cold Butter and Ingredients. Always start pie dough or in this case, pop tart dough with cold ingredients. It's helpful to place the butter in the freezer for ten minutes before mixing to make sure it's extra cold.
    • Fully Cooled Pop Tarts. Make sure your pop tarts are fully cooled before you add the frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt right off.
    • Chill Your Dough. This gives the dough time to rest but also the butter will warm up while you are working with it so giving it time to chill allows the butter to firm up again. This not only makes it easier to work with, but it also makes sure your dough bakes up flakier.
    • Enjoy Immediately. I find these always taste best on the first day but if you have leftovers store them in a single layer in the fridge for up to three days.
    Keyword apple pop tarts, vegan pop tart recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Desserts

    • Scoops of raspberry sorbet in a dish with chocolate chunks.
      Refreshing Raspberry Sorbet
    • Orange posset in an orange half garnished with a piece of mint.
      Orange Posset
    • Lemon sorbet in a lemon peel cup garnished with fresh mint.
      Lemon Sorbet
    • Half a lime filled with lime sorbet.
      Easy Lime Sorbet
    86 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My name is Gaby and I'm the face behind Veggie World Recipes! On my site, you will find recipes that are vegan and made with a healthy twist. My goal is to make plant-based cooking accessible, fun, and always delicious!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • baked oatmeal eye level view with apples on top
      Apple Baked Oats
    • a bowl of chocolate blended overnight oats
      Chocolate Blended Overnight Oats
    • hands holding a protein bar with a bite into it
      Protein Bar Recipe (no bake, with protein powder)
    • A large stack of chocolate protein pancakes with chocolate sauce and banana coins on top.
      Chocolate Protein Pancakes
    • hand holding raspberry bars
      Raspberry Oatmeal Bars (Vegan & Gluten Free)
    • Pouring the peanut butter sauce into a jar.
      Buddha Bowl Peanut Sauce
    • closeup of a granola cup
      Granola Cups
    • vegan tortilla wrap
      Vegan Tortilla Wrap

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Veggie World Recipes 

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.