Charming Apple Hand Pies Recipe: Little Bites of Sweet Joy

Sweet apple hand pies refine ordinary dessert moments into delightful culinary adventures.

Compact pastries pack incredible flavor within delicate, golden-brown crusts that cradle tender fruit fillings.

Delicious hand-held treats offer irresistible comfort and nostalgia with every delectable bite.

Crisp pastry edges seal in warm, spiced apple goodness that melts softly on your tongue.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these charming individual pies with minimal kitchen effort.

Perfectly portable and wonderfully versatile, these miniature desserts elevate any gathering or quiet afternoon snack.

Each handheld pie promises a delicious journey of textures and seasonal warmth.

Could These Apple Hand Pies Be Your Next Favorite Dessert

• Create Portable Dessert Magic: These apple hand pies transform classic pie into adorable, grab-and-go treats perfect for picnics, parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Master Crispy Golden Perfection: Deep-frying delivers an incredibly crunchy exterior that beautifully contrasts the soft, warm apple filling, giving each bite an irresistible textural experience.
• Customize with Ease: The simple recipe allows endless variations- swap apple filling for other fruits, adjust spices, or experiment with different glazes to make these hand pies uniquely yours.

Everything You Need for Homemade Apple Hand Pies

• Pie Crust Rounds: Homemade or store-bought crusts work well, with a flaky and tender texture for the perfect hand pie base.

• Apple Pie Filling: Sweetened and spiced mixture that provides the delicious core of the hand pies, best when cooled before use.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Smooth sweetener that creates a glossy and creamy glaze for finishing the pies.
• Milk: Helps thin and blend the sugar for a perfect glazing consistency.
• Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep-frying the hand pies to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.

• Water: Used to seal the edges of the pie crust before crimping.
• Candy Thermometer: Helps maintain the precise oil temperature for perfect frying.

Baking Flaky Apple Hand Pies to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Pie Crust Rounds

Roll out the pie dough on a lightly floured surface until it reaches a thin, even thickness. Use a circular cookie cutter to create 4-5 inch rounds. You should be able to create 26-28 perfectly shaped pie rounds.

Step 2: Create Delicious Apple Filling

Prepare the apple filling and allow it to cool completely. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of filling onto the center of each pie round, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 3: Fold and Seal Hand Pies

Gently fold the pie rounds in half, creating a half-moon shape. Dip your finger in water and run it along the edges to help seal the pies. Use a fork to crimp and press the edges together, creating a decorative and secure seal.

Step 4: Prepare Sweet Glaze

• Confectioners' sugar
• Milk

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. If the glaze appears too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk to achieve the perfect consistency.

Step 5: Heat Cooking Oil

Select a deep frying pan and fill it with 2-3 inches of oil. Heat the oil over medium temperature until it reaches 375°F, using a candy thermometer to check the precise temperature.

Step 6: Fry Hand Pies

Carefully place 2-3 hand pies into the hot oil. Fry each batch until they turn a beautiful golden brown color, which typically takes 3-4 minutes. Remove the pies and place them on a paper towel-lined rack to drain excess oil.

Step 7: Glaze and Serve

While the hand pies are still warm, generously coat them with the prepared glaze. You can either drizzle the glaze over the pies or dip each pie using a large fork. Serve the hand pies immediately for the best taste and texture.

Pro Tips for Flaky and Flavorful Hand Pies

• Prevent Soggy Crusts: Chill the pie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to ensure a flaky, crisp texture that won't become greasy during frying.
• Master Oil Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to maintain the precise 375°F oil temperature, preventing under or over-browning of the hand pies.
• Create Perfect Seals: Press fork edges firmly and apply water generously around the pie's rim to prevent filling from leaking during frying.
• Control Filling Moisture: Let homemade apple filling cool completely and drain excess liquid to avoid making the crust soggy or causing oil splatters.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Warm pies absorb glaze better, creating a more even and delicious coating that enhances the overall flavor and appearance.

Store and Rewarm Apple Hand Pies Without Losing Crisp

• Refrigeration: Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezing: Wrap individual hand pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed hand pies in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwave to maintain the crust's crunchiness.

Drink and Side Pairings for Apple Hand Pies

• Brew a Warm Companion: Pair these crispy apple hand pies with a steaming mug of chai tea or cinnamon-spiced coffee to enhance the apple's sweet warmth and complement the pastry's flaky texture.
• Scoop a Creamy Contrast: Top the hand pies with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or caramel swirl gelato, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts beautifully against the warm, golden crust.
• Select a Sweet Sipper: Enjoy these hand pies alongside a glass of apple cider or a light moscato wine, which will echo the fruity apple notes and provide a refreshing balance to the rich, fried dessert.
• Sprinkle a Nutty Touch: Garnish the hand pies with toasted chopped pecans or almonds, adding a delicious crunch and nutty depth that perfectly complements the sweet apple filling and crisp pastry.

Flavor Variations to Try with Apple Hand Pies

• Caramel Apple Explosion: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce inside the hand pies before sealing, creating a rich and gooey center that complements the apple filling.
• Nutty Cinnamon Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans and extra ground cinnamon into the apple filling for added texture and warm, spicy notes.
• Berry Apple Fusion: Replace half the apple filling with mixed berry compote for a tangy and sweet combination that brings unexpected flavor complexity.
• Maple Walnut Dream: Swap the confectioners' sugar glaze with a maple-infused topping and garnish with toasted walnut pieces for a rustic, autumnal feel.

Apple Hand Pies Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Irresistible apple hand pies deliver a delightful taste of autumn’s warmth. Crisp pastry cradles sweet cinnamon-spiced apples, inviting you to savor each delectable, homemade bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling:

• 2 cups apple pie filling
• 1 can (21 ounces / 595 grams) store-bought apple pie filling

Crust:

• 1 homemade pie crust recipe
• 2 boxes store-bought pie crust dough

Cooking and Finishing:

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 4 cups (250 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 5–7 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature

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Instructions

1. Carefully spread the pastry dough to a delicate ⅛-inch thickness, utilizing a circular cutter to create 4-5-inch diameter rounds, anticipating 26-28 total pastry circles.
2. Gently spoon the prepared apple filling onto the center of each round, ensuring the mixture has completely cooled to prevent dough disintegration.
3. Fold the pastry circles into elegant half-moon shapes, moistening the edges with water to create a secure seal, then press decoratively with fork tines to reinforce closure.
4. Prepare a silky glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar with milk until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency, adjusting liquid as needed to reach desired texture.
5. Select a deep skillet and fill with oil to approximately 2-3 inches depth, heating gradually to 375°F, monitoring temperature with a precise cooking thermometer.
6. Carefully lower 2-3 hand pies into the hot oil, allowing them to transform into golden-brown delicacies through 3-4 minutes of careful frying, then transfer to an absorbent paper towel surface.
7. While the hand pies remain warm and inviting, generously coat with prepared glaze, either drizzling elegantly or immersing each pastry completely, then serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and temperature.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Cool homemade apple pie filling completely before adding to pie crust to prevent soggy bottoms and ensure crisp texture.
• Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer to maintain exact 375°F oil temperature for perfectly golden, crispy hand pies without burning.
• Sealing Technique: Wet pie crust edges with water and crimp firmly with a fork to prevent filling leakage during frying.
• Glaze Consistency: Adjust milk quantity gradually to achieve smooth, pourable glaze that coats pies evenly without being too thick or runny.
• Frying Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan by frying only 2-3 hand pies at a time to ensure even browning and consistent cooking.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy hand pies warm with fresh glaze for maximum flavor and optimal crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg