Name: The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (1 granny smith and 1 honeycrisp recommended); 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 teaspoons apple cider (or apple juice); 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 cups self-rising flour, sifted; 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed; 2 egg yolks; 1/3 cup HOT milk; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 Tablespoons milk; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) is more than just a dessert; it’s a comforting embrace, a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, and a delicious adventure for your taste buds. There’s something undeniably magical about that first bite: the crisp, golden exterior yielding to a warm, gooey center bursting with sweet, tender apples, all kissed with cinnamon and spice. We all have those childhood memories, perhaps of a grandmother’s kitchen or a summer fair, where a perfectly fried apple pie was the ultimate treat. What makes our homemade fried apple pies so special? It’s the carefully balanced sweetness of the apples, the flaky, shatteringly crisp crust that holds its shape, and that irresistible fried finish that no baked pie can quite replicate. Get ready to create your own cherished memories with this truly exceptional recipe for the best fried apple pies.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about a warm, homemade fried apple pie. The crisp, golden-brown crust gives way to a sweet, spiced apple filling that just melts in your mouth. Forget those store-bought imposters; making your own fried apple pies is surprisingly achievable and so rewarding. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe that delivers perfect results every time, with a flaky, tender crust and a burst of apple goodness.

This recipe balances the tartness of Granny Smith apples with the sweetness of Honeycrisp, creating a filling that’s just right. The dough comes together easily, and the frying process is straightforward, leaving you with a batch of delicious pies that will disappear fast. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and let’s get baking (and frying)!

Ingredients:

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (I recommend 1 Granny Smith and 1 Honeycrisp for balance)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons apple cider (or apple juice)

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 cups self-rising flour, sifted

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

2 egg yolks

1/3 cup HOT milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon milk

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Vegetable or canola oil, for frying.

Preparing the Apple Filling

The heart of any great apple pie is its filling, and this one is no exception. We want tender, flavorful apples that aren’t mushy.

In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir everything together well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.

Add the apple cider (or juice) to the saucepan. This liquid will help the apples soften and also infuse them with more apple flavor.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water until smooth. This is your cornstarch slurry, and it’s essential for thickening the apple filling. Pour this slurry into the saucepan with the apples.

Cook the apple mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly and the filling has thickened. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes. You want the apples to be tender but still hold their shape. Don’t overcook them into applesauce! Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the filling cool completely. This is a crucial step, as a hot filling will make your dough difficult to handle and can even melt the butter in the dough. You can speed up the cooling process by transferring the filling to a shallow dish and placing it in the refrigerator.

Making the Pie Dough

A flaky, tender crust is what elevates a good fried apple pie to the best. This dough recipe is simple and uses the “cut-in” method for that desired texture.

In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted self-rising flour and the salt.

Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crum extractbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These butter pieces are key to creating flaky layers in your crust.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the 1/3 cup of HOT milk. The hot milk helps to slightly cook the egg yolks and create a tender dough.

Pour the egg yolk and milk mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Gently stir with a fork until the dough just begin extracts to come together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough crust.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it forms a cohesive ball. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour; if it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more milk. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up. This makes the dough easier to roll out.

Assembling and Frying the Pies

Now for the fun part – putting it all together and achieving that perfect golden-brown finish.

Once the dough is chilled, divide it in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) or a small bowl to cut out circles of dough. You should get about 4-6 circles from each half of the dough. Repeat with the second half of the dough. Gather any scraps, re-roll them once, and cut out more circles if possible.

Remove the cooled apple filling from the refrigerator. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Don’t overfill, or the filling will ooze out during frying.

Lightly brush the edges of the dough circles with a little water or milk. Fold the other half of the dough circle over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork or by folding them over to create a decorative edge. This helps to ensure the pies stay senon-alcoholic aled during frying.

Prepare for frying. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C). It’s important to maintain this temperature for evenly cooked pies. If the oil is too cool, the pies will absorb too much grease; if it’s too hot, they’ll burn on the outside before the inside is cooked. Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to carefully flip the pies and remove them from the oil. Place the fried pies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain off any excess oil.

Glazing and Serving

The finishing touch is a simple, sweet glaze that complements the warm, spiced apples perfectly.

While the pies are still warm, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon of milk, and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and drizzling consistency. Add a little more milk or powdered sugar as needed to achieve your desired consistency.

Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm fried apple pies. The glaze will set slightly as it cools.

Serve your homemade fried apple pies warm for the best experience. They are absolutely delicious on their own, or you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat. Enjoy the fruits of your labor – these are truly the best fried apple pies!

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Conclusion:

You’ve now got the secrets to crafting the absolute best fried apple pies right in your own kitchen! This recipe truly stands out because of its perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust that gives way to a warm, tender, and wonderfully spiced apple filling. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert, bringin extractg together simple ingredients for an extraordinary treat that will have everyone asking for seconds. I absolutely encourage you to give this homemade fried apple pies recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!

These delightful pies are fantastic served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the filling, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a simpler enjoyment, a dusting of powdered sugar is also a beautiful touch. Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! You could add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of allspice to the apple mixture for extra warmth, or even fold in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch. Experiment with different types of apples, like Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness, to find your perfect blend.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the apple filling ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the apple filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the pies even quicker when you’re ready to fry them.

What’s the best way to store leftover fried apple pies?

For the best texture, it’s ideal to eat fried apple pies fresh. However, if you have leftovers, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They might lose some of their crispness, but they’ll still be delicious, especially when gently reheated in a toaster oven or oven.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

While this recipe is specifically designed for frying to achieve that iconic crispiness, you can adapt it for baking. Bake at around 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. The texture will be different, more like a traditional baked hand pie, but still tasty!

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Delicious homemade fried apple pies with a perfectly flaky crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
50 Minutes

Servings
6 servings

Ingredients

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (1 granny smith and 1 honeycrisp recommended)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons apple cider (or apple juice)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups self-rising flour, sifted
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup HOT milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoons milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple cider, and cornstarch. Stir to coat and set aside.
Step 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together sifted self-rising flour and salt. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 3
In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 1/3 cup hot milk. Gradually add this mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth.
Step 4
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a thin circle. Spoon a portion of the apple filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a border. Fold the other half over to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Step 5
Heat vegetable or canola oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the apple pies for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
Step 6
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth and drizzleable. Drizzle over the warm fried apple pies.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Homemade Fried Apple Pies Recipe-Best Ever

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)