Sweet & Crispy Fried Apple Hand Pies Recipe for Warm Smiles

Weekends call for sweet, golden-brown fried apple hand pies that burst with homemade comfort.

Southern kitchens have perfected these crispy, handheld treats bursting with warm spiced apple filling.

Grandmothers across the South have long cherished this simple yet delectable dessert that combines flaky pastry with rich, caramelized apple goodness.

Each bite delivers a delightful crunch and soft, gooey center that melts in your mouth.

The aroma of cinnamon and buttery crust will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to sample these irresistible little pies.

Perfectly portable and utterly delicious, these hand pies transform ordinary apples into a spectacular dessert that celebrates classic American baking.

Dive into this recipe and create a batch of pure, nostalgic happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes (per batch)

Total Time: 51 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 9

Frying Apple Hand Pies Golden and Crisp

• Dough Preparation

Create a soft, crumbly pastry mixture by blending flour and cold shortening until texture resembles tiny pebbles. Slowly introduce chilled water, gently mixing until dough forms a cohesive ball. Wrap and chill in refrigerator for half an hour to relax the gluten.

• Apple Filling Creation

Combine diced apples with sweet spices in a saucepan, cooking slowly until fruit softens and transforms into a rich, fragrant compote. Allow mixture to cool completely before assembling pies.

• Pie Shaping

Roll pastry on lightly dusted surface until thin and delicate. Cut circular shapes, then carefully spoon apple mixture onto one half of each round. Fold pastry over, creating crescent-like pockets, and crimp edges with fork tines to seal delicious contents inside.

• Crispy Frying

Heat oil in deep pan until shimmering and hot. Carefully lower hand pies into bubbling oil, cooking until exterior turns golden and crisp. Gently remove and let excess oil drain on absorbent paper, creating perfectly crunchy exterior with soft, warm filling.

Ideas to Sweeten or Spice Up Your Pies

• Crispy Coating Tricks: Dust your hand pies with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar right after frying for an extra layer of sweet crunch that melts in your mouth.
• Apple Filling Variations: Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness. Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts to add a delightful nutty texture to the filling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the hand pies ahead of time and freeze them uncooked. When ready to serve, fry directly from frozen, adding just 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time for a quick and convenient dessert.
• Healthier Baking Option: For a lighter version, brush the hand pies with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes instead of deep-frying. This method reduces oil content while maintaining a golden, crispy exterior.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the apple filling with a splash of vanilla extract, a pinch of nutmeg, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the classic apple pie flavor profile.

Serving Tips for Warm Apple Hand Pies

• Delightful Dessert Companion: Serve these crispy fried apple hand pies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic, creamy contrast to the warm, spiced filling.
• Sweet Drizzle Delight: Create a quick caramel or maple glaze to drizzle over the hand pies, adding an extra layer of rich, sweet indulgence that complements the apple's natural sweetness.
• Cozy Breakfast Twist: Transform these hand pies into a morning treat by pairing them with a steaming mug of cinnamon-spiced coffee or hot apple cider for a comforting autumn-inspired breakfast experience.
• Festive Party Favorite: Dust the hand pies with powdered sugar and serve on a rustic wooden board for a stunning dessert centerpiece that will impress guests at gatherings or holiday celebrations.

Storing Fried Pies for Freshness and Crunch

• Quick Batch Preparation: Make a double batch of hand pies and freeze uncooked rounds between wax paper layers for quick weeknight desserts. Simply thaw and fry when unexpected guests arrive or sweet cravings strike.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked hand pies in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a toaster oven or air fryer to maintain crispy exterior and warm, gooey apple filling.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cooled hand pies in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags for long-term storage. These treats will remain delicious for 2-3 months, offering a convenient sweet option anytime you need a quick dessert.
• Portable Lunch Companion: Pack room-temperature hand pies in lunch boxes or picnic baskets for a delightful midday treat. Their compact size makes them perfect for school lunches, workplace snacks, or outdoor adventures with minimal mess.

What You’ll Need for Fried Apple Hand Pies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the essential structure and delicate texture for the hand pie crust, selecting unbleached flour ensures a more natural taste.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps control yeast development in the dough, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Vegetable Shortening: Creates a flaky, tender crust with exceptional melt-in-your-mouth quality, choose a high-quality brand for best results.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough together while keeping the pastry light and crisp, using ice-cold water prevents gluten development.

• Apples: Deliver a sweet and tangy core flavor, select firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for perfect texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides natural sweetness and helps caramelize the fruit during cooking, opt for pure cane sugar.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the apple mixture, freshly ground cinnamon offers more intense flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Creates a golden, crispy exterior for the hand pies, use a neutral oil with high smoke point like canola or peanut oil.

Tools to Make Hand Pies Perfect

• Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out dough evenly to the perfect thinness.
• Large saucepan: Needed for cooking apple filling and later for frying pies.
• Knives or pastry blender: Perfect for cutting shortening into flour mixture.
• Fork: Great for tossing water into dough and checking pie doneness.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for rolling and cutting dough rounds.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Deep fryer or large pot: Necessary for frying hand pies to golden perfection.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil after frying.
• 4-inch round cutter or knife: Helps create consistent pie shapes.

Crispy Fried Apple Hand Pies Recipe

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• Total Time: 51 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies deliver classic comfort in a crispy golden pastry pocket filled with sweet cinnamon-spiced apple goodness. Warm pies straight from the skillet offer pure homestyle deliciousness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
• 1 quart (0.95 liters) oil for frying
• ½ cup chilled shortening
• ½ cup cold water
• ¼ cup white sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (or to taste)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Cut chilled shortening into the dry ingredients using pastry blades until the mixture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
2. Dough Forming: Add cold water and fold gently with a fork until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest and firm up.
3. Apple Filling Creation: Combine diced apples, sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Simmer covered over low heat, stirring intermittently until apples break down completely into a thick, rustic compote. Allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Dough Rolling and Cutting: Flour a work surface and roll the chilled dough to a thin 1/8-inch thickness. Cut eight 4-inch circular shapes using a round cutter.
5. Pie Assembly and Sealing: Spoon cooled apple filling onto the center of each dough round. Moisten edges with water, fold into half-moon shapes, and crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
6. Frying Process: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 375 degrees F. Carefully lower hand pies into hot oil in small batches, frying until golden and crispy, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Rotate midway to ensure even browning.
7. Finishing: Drain fried pies on paper towels to remove excess oil. Allow to cool slightly before serving, ensuring a crisp exterior and warm, gooey filling.

Notes

• Master Dough Technique: Achieve flaky texture by using ice-cold shortening and minimal handling to prevent gluten development.
• Apple Filling Consistency: Cook apples slowly to create a thick, spreadable compote without excess liquid that could compromise pie sealing.
• Precise Oil Temperature: Maintain exact 375°F for perfect golden-brown crust without burning or undercooking the delicate pastry.
• Sealing Strategy: Press fork edges firmly and evenly to create a tight seal that prevents filling leakage during high-heat frying.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg