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Apple Hand Pies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 115 reviews

Delicious homemade Apple Hand Pies featuring a tender, flaky crust filled with a warm, spiced apple filling. These hand pies are fried to a golden brown perfection and make a perfect treat served warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Pie Filling

  • 5 medium/large apples (Granny Smith & Macoun), peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Dough & Finishing

  • Homemade pie crust or biscuit dough
  • Canola oil, for frying (about 2-3 inches in pan)
  • Granulated sugar or powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Optional simple glaze (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces. Melt butter in a 10-12 inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Cook the Apples: Add the chopped apples to the butter and cook for 15-20 minutes until soft. Sprinkle in brown sugar, granulated sugar, and lemon juice during cooking, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  3. Thicken the Filling: Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water, then pour the mixture into the apples. Cook until the filling bubbles and thickens around the edges.
  4. Seasoning: Remove from heat and stir in ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Allow the filling to cool completely before assembling the pies.
  5. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie crust or biscuit dough into 4-6 inch ovals, about 1/8-1/4 inch thick.
  6. Assemble Hand Pies: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled apple filling into the center of each dough oval. Fold over the dough and gently press down on the filling and edges. Wet edges lightly with water if needed and crimp with a floured fork to seal.
  7. Optional Freezing: Place hand pies on a parchment-lined sheet pan, overlap slightly, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and freeze for later use if desired.
  8. Chill Before Frying: Place uncooked pies on a parchment-lined half-sheet pan and refrigerate while oil heats.
  9. Heat Oil: Fill a fry pan with 2-3 inches of canola oil and heat to 370-375°F (188-190°C).
  10. Fry the Hand Pies: Fry a few pies at a time in hot oil without overcrowding for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown on both sides.
  11. Drain and Finish: Remove fried pies and drain on paper towels placed on a half-sheet pan. While warm, sprinkle with granulated or powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze and allow to dry slightly.
  12. Serve: Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

  • Use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Macoun) apples for balanced flavor.
  • Make sure oil is at the right temperature (370-375°F) to ensure even frying and avoid greasy pies.
  • The pies can be frozen before frying for convenient make-ahead treats.
  • If you prefer, you can dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze instead of granulated sugar.
  • Serve warm for the best taste and texture.

Keywords: apple hand pies, fried pies, homemade apple filling, dessert, fall desserts, hand-held pies

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/apple-hand-pies-recipe/