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The Recipe · No.740 · Apple Strudel

Apple Strudel, and where to source it

Apple Strudel — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Apple Strudel Austrian 5best2buy.com

The pastry has to be stretched until you can read newsprint through it, and toasted breadcrumbs scattered under the apples are what keep it crisp: they soak up the juice the fruit releases so the bottom sheet does not turn to paste. Skip the crumbs and the strudel steams itself soggy from the inside.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep40 min
Cook40 min
Makes8 servings
CuisineAustrian
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 8 servings
Baking apples
A tart, firm apple that holds shape and cuts the sweetness. A good orchard apple has real flavor.
2 lb
Source it →
Strudel or phyllo pastry
Stretched paper-thin, or good phyllo layered with butter. Keep it from drying out.
1 lb
Source it →
Breadcrumbs
Toasted in butter and layered under the apples to catch the juices. The anti-sog step.
1 cup
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Raisins and cinnamon
Plumped raisins and cinnamon-sugar through the filling. A fragrant cinnamon matters.
1/2 cup
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Butter
Brushed between and over the pastry for crispness and color. A good butter browns best.
1/2 cup
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Toss the fillingToss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and a little lemon and let them sit briefly.
  2. Toast the crumbsFry the breadcrumbs in butter until golden; they will protect the pastry.
  3. Stretch and layerStretch the pastry thin, brush with butter, scatter the crumbs, and spread the apples along one edge.
  4. Roll and bakeRoll it up snug, brush with butter, and bake until deep gold and crisp. Dust with sugar and serve warm.
The Toolkit

Sheet pan · Pastry brush · Clean cloth

Straight Answers
Can you make Apple Strudel in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Apple Strudel? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Apple Strudel ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Apple Strudel gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Apple Strudel vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.740

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