Crispy, golden Apple Hand Pies are the perfect portable dessert! These mini pies are filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. Whether baked or fried, they are irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
For the Pie Dough:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- ½ cup ice-cold water
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 apples (peeled, diced)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Assembly & Topping:
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
1. Make the Pie Dough
- In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together.
- Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
- In a saucepan, combine apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until apples soften.
- Stir in cornstarch to thicken. Let cool completely.
3. Assemble the Hand Pies
- Roll out the chilled dough to ⅛-inch thickness.
- Cut out 3-4 inch circles using a cookie cutter or glass.
- Place 1 tablespoon apple filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold in half and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
4. Bake or Fry
For Baking:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place pies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
For Frying:
- Heat oil (350°F/175°C) in a deep pan.
- Fry hand pies for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Let the pies cool slightly before serving.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce or serve with vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence!
Pro Tips for Perfect Hand Pies
✔ Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best flavor.
✔ Chill the dough before rolling to prevent shrinking.
✔ Make ahead and freeze unbaked pies for a quick treat later.
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