Fried Apple Pies

Fried apple pies are about as American a treat as you will find. They are equally enjoyable in the summer as they are in the fall and winter, making them a year-long staple. This simple fried apple pies dessert is sure to become a family favorite. My only warning is to be prepared for this to become a much-requested treat! Make dessert even better with these incredible grab-and-go Fried Apple Pies.

These little hand pies highlight one of my favorite summery fruits, and they also are great to pair with an outing to your local apple orchard in the fall when fresh apples are available. So, what better time than now to stock up and enjoy their sweet goodness than right now?

If you’re a pie crust lover, these babies are surely for you! 😀 You will love the sweet, light, fluffy goodness these pies always give you when baking fried apple pies at home! For more best fried apple pies ideas, look at our how to serve this section. This, along with instructions on how to store and reheat this dessert will ensure that your pies are a treat time and time again!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe uses simple ingredients and is easy to make. It also is one that can easily be paired with other treats, like Cinnamon Ice Cream but also makes a great finale to a wonderful meal. Here are some additional reasons to love this treat:

It can be made with fewer calories using nonfat or low-sugar versions of ingredients.

You can make these even without apples.

This makes a great end of the day activity to do with kids after visiting a local apple orchard.

The ingredients are not hard to find at the store and pretty affordable. 

Ingredients:

• Refrigerated pie crust
• Apples
• Granulated sugar
• Cinnamon
• Apple pie spice
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Oil for frying

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

This family favorite fried apple pies recipe allows for some substitutions and personalization. The following are some substitutions allowing you to swap out a few key ingredients:

Apples: Although it’s unlikely you are making apple pies and you don’t like apples, there might be a reason you can’t use them. If so, you can opt for pears. They are similar in both texture and the amount of juice they have. Peaches are another option, but are sweeter than apples, so keep that in mind. 

Powdered Sugar: If you don’t have powdered sugar on hand, you can blend granulated sugar with cornstarch. Blend 1 cup of sugar to 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. You can also use sugar-free powdered sugar for a healthier version.

Oil: Instead of oil, you can instead use beef tallow or lard when making these quick fried apple pies for parties. 

How to Make it, Fried Apple Pies:

Step 1. Place the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice in a skillet over medium heat.

Adding sugar.

Adding cinnamon.

Adding apple pie spice.

Cook until the apples have softened.

Step 2. Roll the crust out on a lightly floured surface.

Step 3. Use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut 11-12 circles out of the dough.

Step 4. Place a tiny amount of filling in the center of each circle. Wet the outside edge of each circle of dough with cold water.

Then, fold the dough over the filling forming a crescent shape. Pinch the edges closed, and use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges if desired.

Step 5. Heat the oil up in a deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat on the stove.

Step 6. Fry the pies for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Step 7. Remove from the oil and set the pies on a paper towel-lined rack to cool.

Step 8. Mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until you get a smooth consistency.

Step 9. Drizzle the icing over the warm pies and serve.

Now you get to taste this easy fried apple pies recipe! Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Tips for Success

When making homemade fried apple pies recipes, there are some key tips for success. First, avoid excess moisture when filling as this can lead to a soggy crust. Controlling oil temperature is also important. You don’t want to burn the pies, but you do want them cooked. Also, sealing the pies is important, because if you don’t do this successfully, you could have your filling leak into your oil or out of the pie when cooling. Make sure that the apples you used have been precooked and cooled completely to get this texture just right. 

Storage & Reheating

Make sure that your fried pies are completely cool before you store them to prevent them from getting soggy. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid stacking during cooling. You can actually store your pies at room temperature on the countertop in an airtight container for 1-2 days. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

You can freeze homemade fried apple pies for up to 3 months if unglazed. Place the cool, unglazed pies on a baking sheet to freeze them solid, then transfer them into freezer bags or airtight containers for the remainder of storage. 

Using the oven is the easiest way to reheat your fried apple pies. Heat your oven to 350 degrees and bake nonfrozen pies for 10-15 minutes. If frozen, bake for 15-20 minutes. Then remove the pies and let them sit before enjoying. 

Serving Suggestions

The many best fried apple pies ideas are countless. You can make quick fried apple pies for parties or simple fried apple pies dessert for your family. They can be paired with ice cream as mentioned above, or instead make a great end to the meal for a variety of dishes. It works in the summer as well as the fall, outdoors in the backyard as well as around the dinner table with family at holiday celebrations. Because of this versatility, there is no wonder it’s a family favorite. 

Notes:

I have personally made this treat for my family and for events. It has always been well-received. I am thinking this year of combining it with a trip to a local apple orchard to find just the right apples for my beloved fried apple pies. These are also ideally suited for small hands, making them a wonderful favorite in my family. I know your family will love it too! Let me know what you think!