Fried Apple Hand Pies are the classic southern dessert just like my grandma used to make. A delicious cinnamon apple filling inside a delicate flaky pie crust that is deep fried to perfection. Dip them in a powdered sugar glaze for an unforgettable dessert.
Love apple desserts? Easy Apple Cobbler is a classic dessert that everyone loves topped with vanilla ice cream and my mom's Fresh Apple Cake is one of the easiest fall desserts you can make.
Fried Apple Hand Pies ~ Classic Fried Pies
The crust on these fried pies are the star of the show. It's different than a store bought or homemade pie dough. Any filling will work for these fried pies but apple is my favorite.
My mom shared this recipe with me from her aunt's recipe box. The dough puffs up as it fries and it so tender, it literally melts in your mouth.
Ingredients Needed:
For the Pie Dough:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Shortening
- Egg
- Evaporated Milk
For the Filling:
- Gala Apples
- Sugar
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
For Frying:
- 3 cups Vegetable Oil
For the Glaze:
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup milk
How to Make Fried Pies:
For the Dough:
- Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Use a fork to cut in shortening. Whisk egg and milk together and mix into the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour or until you are ready to make the pies.
Make the Filling:
- Peel and core apples. Dice and place in a bowl with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt. Mix well.
- Add water and cornstarch to a pan and whisk together. Add apple mixture and stir to combine.
- Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often about 10 minutes.
- Pour into a bowl and set aside to cool.
- When you are ready to make the pies, divide the dough into thirds. Roll dough out over a well floured surface. Add additional flour to the top of the dough if needed to make it easy to roll.
- Use a 4 - 5 inch circle (a small saucer or large cookie cutter) to cut pastry into circles.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each circle.
- Fold over and pinch seams closed. Fold edges over and press edges with a fork. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Heat oil to 375 degrees.
- Cook 2 or 3 pies at a time, turning to brown both sides. Remove from oil to a paper towel lined rack to drain.
They are so good right out of the frying pan. I couldn't stop thinking about how good those little apple pies are from the grocery store. You know the ones that are coated in icing? Yes!
- I made a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk. I completely dunked them pies in the icing using a fork and then let them dry on a wire rack.
The icing takes these to over the top amazing. I am thinking these are literally the best thing I've ever made. EVER.
How to Store:
Store cooled pies in an airtight container in refrigerated up to 4 days. Serve at room temperature or heat for a few seconds in the microwave.
I'm a southern girl and love my deep fried foods. I try to be moderate about such things but these fried pies are impossible to resist!
I seriously love these pies and I'm telling you the pastry crust is to die for but I will also say this is not the kind of dessert you whip up in a hurry.
There are lots of steps and it takes a bit of time to roll out the dough and shape the pies. However, they are worth every single minute and every single calorie!
More Apple Desserts to Try:
Apple Crumb Pie is a classic for any occasion. You can't go wrong with this easy apple pie!
Apple Fritter Cake is a simple loaf cake to bake for any day of the week.
Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Shooters are really simple to make and perfect for entertaining!
Fried pies always make me think of my grandma. I remember her making them when I was growing up and they were always so dang good. She often made them with dried apricots and I've got to try that soon. Add these Fried Apple Hand Pies to your list to try immediately. I promise you will be glad you did!
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Fried Apple Hand Pies
Fried Apple Hand Pies are the classic southern dessert. A delicious cinnamon apple filling inside a delicate flaky pie crust that is deep fried to perfection. Dip them in a powdered sugar glaze for an unforgettable dessert.
Ingredients
For the Pastry
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour, plus 1 cup for rolling out dough
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup shortening
- 1 egg
- 1 cup evaporated milk
For the Filling
- 4 apples, peeled, cored and diced
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Frying:
- 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
For the Glaze
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup milk
Instructions
- For the dough: Sift the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Cut in shortening until well combined using a fork or pastry cutter. Whisk egg and milk together and mix until the dough comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour or until you are ready to make the pies.
- Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt in a bowl and toss together. Add water and cornstarch to a pan and whisk together. Add apples and mix together. Place over medium- high heat. Cook, stirring often about 10 minutes. Pour into a bowl and set aside to cool.
- When you are ready to make the pies, divide the dough into thirds. Roll dough out over a well floured surface. Add additional flour to the top of the dough if needed to make it easy to roll.
- Use a 4 - 5 inch circle (a small saucer or large cookie cutter) to cut pastry into circles.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of apple filling to the center of each circle.
- Fold over and pinch seams closed. Fold edges over and press edges with a fork. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Heat oil to 375 degrees.
- Cook 2 or 3 pies at a time, turning to brown both sides. Remove from oil to a paper towel lined rack to drain.
- Whisk powdered sugar and milk together until smooth in a medium sized bowl.
- Dip fried pies into icing and drain on a wire rack placed in a baking pan until icing is set, about 10 -15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Pies are best the first day. Leftovers can be be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature for serving or warm in microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 848Total Fat: 62gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 51gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 325mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 3gSugar: 37gProtein: 6g
Nutritional calculations are estimated and may not be accurate.
Erin Vasicek
These are seriously the best looking apple hand pies I've ever seen. That glaze!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Aren't hand pies the best!! My great grandmother use to make peach handpies! These apple ones are going to become a new family favorite around here!
Sara Zielinski
My favorite Easter dessert is spring themed spritz cookies.
Beverly
Can these pies be frozen?
Milisa
Hi Beverly,
You can freeze the pies in a single layer in a freezer bag. I would not glaze the pies if freezing. They should keep for about 3 months in the freezr.
~ Milisa
ColleenB.~Texas
Now them some good looking fried apple hand pies.
My favorite Easter dessert . . .just a plain ole sugar cookie or a chocolate cadbury egg
Thank U 4 this wonderful giveaway opportunity
Beverly
Can you make up the apple filling and freeze bags of it to use later for pies?
Milisa
Hi Beverly,
Yes you can freeze the apple pie filling. It should keep up to 6 months in the freezer.
~ Milisa
Doodle
Those pies look so good! My Mom made apricot pies, but I had no recipe. The dough for your pies looks just perfect. Can’t wait to get to the store and buy apples. Hope you and your family have a Happy Easter.
D’Ann Elam
Growing up in Texas one of my friends Dad made these and they were wonderful!
Dolores
These are the best thing you will ever eat when it comes to fried pies, but my favorite dessert would have to be four layer delight with chocolate and toasted walnuts.
Connie
How many pies did this recipe make? I want to try it so bad, but I have never, had any luck with pie crust. Sure would hate to waste all my fruit and hard work and mess them up. Lol
Bethany Souza
Sweeten condensed milk or unsweetened condensed milk?
Milisa
Hi Bethany,
It's unsweetened evaporated milk.
~Milisa
Amy
Can you use Granny Smith apples?
Milisa
Hi Amy,
Any apple will work. I hope you enjoy!
~ Milisa
Louise
Is the dough sticky prior to placing in fridge? Making now
Milisa
Hi Louise,
The dough is a bit sticky so I used a generous amount of flour to roll out the dough. I hope you enjoy them!
~ Milisa
Charlotte Rester
Can you use peaches? If so how would you do that?
El Zellner
Hi! I made some with cherries and they are delicious. The evaporated milk made quite a difference in the dough - I’ll have to remember that!
Thanks for sharing!
El Z.
Milisa
Hi El,
So glad you tried them and I bet they were fantastic with the cherries. Thanks for letting me know how they turned out.
~ Milisa
Mia
Can the sugar be omitted in the crust to make a savory (meat) hand pie?
Milisa
Hi Mia,
I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work.
~ Milisa
Nova Moonhaven
i have made these fried pies numerous times, an absolute hit at my house. The kids stand around waiting to indulge. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. i wonder, could you "fry" these in an air fryer instead of the oil ?
Much Love
Milisa
Hi Nova,
I haven't tried them in the air fryer, but I think you could. I would try brushing them with a bit of vegetable oil or melted butter an probably a high temperature between 375 and 400 °. Let me know how it turns out if you try it. I'm so glad y'all enjoy them.
~ Milisa
Nicole
An you prep pies and keep in fridge before frying ? If so how many days ? Want to make quite a few and if I can make the pies a few days ahead before frying would be great.
Milisa
Hi Nicole,
I haven't tried that but I think you could refrigerate in a single layer tightly covered with plastic wrap a couple of days in advance. I hope that helps.
~ Milisa
Teresa
I just made this recipe. They taste so good, but apparently I messed up the glaze measurements, because the pies are sticky not dry. I will make again for sure and measure glaze ingredients more carefully
Milisa
Hi Teresa,
So glad you enjoyed the pies, they are my favorite!