Description
These Apple Cranberry Sausage Rolls are the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and festive flavors. Using lean chicken or turkey sausage, crisp apples, and tart cranberries wrapped in buttery puff pastry, they make a cozy appetizer or snack for any fall or holiday gathering. Each bite delivers flaky texture and comforting warmth, ideal for parties, brunches, or family dinners.
Ingredients
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1 pound chicken or turkey sausage, removed from casings
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1 small apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced (such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
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½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
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½ small onion, finely diced
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
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½ teaspoon dried sage
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¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
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1 egg, lightly beaten
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1 teaspoon milk or water
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Optional: sesame seeds or poppy seeds for topping
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Honey mustard, cranberry chutney, or maple Dijon sauce for serving
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
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Add sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
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Stir in diced apple and chopped cranberries. Cook another 3–4 minutes until apples soften slightly.
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Season the mixture with thyme, sage, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then remove from heat to cool for 10 minutes.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut it lengthwise into two even strips.
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Spoon the sausage mixture evenly along the center of each strip.
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Fold one side of pastry over the filling and roll to seal. Place seam-side down.
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Cut each long roll into smaller pieces (1½–2 inches wide for appetizers or larger for meal-sized portions).
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Place rolls on the prepared baking sheet.
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Mix beaten egg with milk or water, and brush over each roll. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
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Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite dip.
Notes
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Prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
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Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.
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Swap cranberries for dried cherries or apricots for a different flavor.
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Serve with honey mustard, cranberry relish, or maple Dijon dip for added sweetness and tang.
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For best texture, keep puff pastry cold while assembling and avoid overfilling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes