Fried Apple Pies
Mini Fried Apple Pies are the ideal picnic treat with their flaky crust and delectable filling. They’re easier than making a traditional pie, but just as satisfying!
These Apple Hand Pies provide instant portion control, can be taken on picnics or added to a lunch box, and are delicious!!!
Why You Must Make
- Don’t these Apple Turnovers just scream the 4th of July? I love making pie for a picnic, and there’s nothing more American than apple pie. Perfect for your Independence Day menu, and no silverware is required.
- These mini pies were super simple to make. Feel free to use a premade pie crust, then all you have to do is cook up the apple filling and fry or bake.
- I attempted to fry up these babies, but it was obvious that pan-frying was not my forte. For the next batch, I brushed with an egg wash and let the oven do the work. Feel free to use whatever technique you prefer.
- After a drizzle or brushing of an easy powdered sugar glaze, the family was dying to dig in. We were not disappointed as the flaky crust filled with cinnamon-spiced apples made for a terrific three-bite dessert! I have a feeling Bill will be eating a few for breakfast—he can rationalize almost anything!
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Ground Cinnamon, Egg, Milk, Water
- Pie Crust – Use a homemade recipe for a double crust or Pillsbury (or any brand of) premade crusts
- Apples – Use your favorite baking apples. Two varieties will give the best depth of flavor.
- Butter – Let it soften at room temperature before using.
- Vanilla – Make sure it’s real vanilla extract, not artificially flavored. I like the Nielson-Massey brand.
- Powdered Sugar – Sifting before using makes for a smoother glaze/icing.
Recipe Tips
I love these portion-controlled, single-serving apple pies, tarts, turnovers or whatever you prefer to call them. They’re super simple to prepare, just follow these tips to make them perfect every single time.
- Pick the right apples. My mother-in-law always used Granny Smith apples for her applesauce, so those are always a great, easily available choice. I also like the combination of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. One sweet and one tart and one crisp and one softer works well.
- Use your favorite crust recipe or packaged crust. If your homemade crust tends to be difficult to work with, a packaged version will make the process much easier.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for more caramel flavor in your filling.
- PRO-Tip: Do not overfill your pies. Doing so will prevent you from sealing around the perimeter properly and then the filling will most likely leak when the pies are cooked.
- Seal the edges of these mini pies well. Cold water assists the surfaces with adhering and crimping with a fork encourages the edges to stay sealed.
- There are two options for cooking these hand pies, frying or baking. Either works well, but I preferred the less messy baking option.
- Finish these off with a simple powdered sugar glaze. I drizzled mine back and forth over the exposed surface, but you can thin the icing and paint it on as a glaze if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Food Lover’s Companion, turnovers are pastry squares or circles that are filled with a sweet or savory mixture, then folded to make a triangle or semicircle. The edges are sealed before baking or frying. Turnovers can be appetizers, entrees or desserts.
Turnovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days. After that, it’s best to move them to the refrigerator for another day or two. Bring them to room temperature or gently reheat before serving.
Yes, they can also be frozen in an airtight container after baking and cooling. First, place your baked turnovers on a sheet pan and freeze. When frozen, move them to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost then gently reheat in the oven before serving.
You May Also Like
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling from Crazy for Crust
- Classic Apple Pie
- Cream Cheese Apple Torte
- Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
- Plus, all my Best Pie Recipes
Fried Apple Pies
Three bite mini apple pies are perfect for picnics, snacking or dessert! Recipe courtesy of Kelli's Kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts, or a homemade double crust
- 2 apples
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Icing
- 1 teaspoon softened butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1-3 tablespoons milk
Egg wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Peel and core apples, then chop. Place in a saucepan with sugar and cook on low till apples are tender. Add cinnamon and mash till chunky. Cool to room temperature.
- Roll out the pie crust on a lightly floured board. Using a 3 inch cookie cutter, cut out 7-8 circles out of each crust.
- Place a scant teaspoon of the cooked apples in the middle of the round.
- Using very cold water and your fingers, wet all the way around the pie, fold it over and crimp edges with the fork. Make a slit in tops to release steam if desired.
- Put a little oil in a skillet and let it get hot first, then place the little pies in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Or glaze with egg wash (mix together egg and water with a fork) and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or till browned.
- Take them out of the oil when they are cooked and place on a wire rack with paper towels on them so that will take off the excess oil.
- Combine icing ingredients with a fork and then put the glaze over the warm pies.
Notes
Use your favorite baking apples. I like the combination of 1 Granny Smith and 1 Golden Delicious.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 157Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
48 Comments on “Fried Apple Pies”
Great recipe, easy. I fried mine and used premade crust. Easy peasy.
I’m so glad you enjoyed these!! And I appreciate you taking the time to let me know 🙂
I love fried pies! I used a premade crust and then cooked these in the oven, so dang delicious!
These are so delicious! I love this and my family does too. We enjoy these every time I make them!
I am so glad you reminded me about these ,, I love them and so does everyone else!
I made the fried apple pies! Amazing!
I normally don’t eat that much sweets but I have to say, I ate 2. They are so good my husband ate 3 and wanted more.
Kelli has the best recipes! Love these hand-pies. They would be great for any cook-out!
They are screaming 4th of July and make me now!!!!!
Lizzy,
I could eat a half dozen of these right now. They look delicious.
Annamaria
Just look at those pies!! I have a soft spot for anything apple and I’m all over these beauties!! <3
I’ve never made a fried turnover pie, but you’ve certainly got me convinced to do so with these yummy little apple pies! Perfect for picnics as you said!
I’m with Bill on this one. These little apple pies would be the best breakfast too! Nice job, Liz!
Your mini pies do holler 4th of July…So glad you gave the baking option. Frying is not my strong suit either =) Lovely squiggly glaze touch =)
My mouth is watering with all these lovely apple desserts!
Thanks for the recipe for the Fried Apple Pie, will let you know my results on sunday
Have a great day <3
What men secretly want lady
I can’t decide if I’m super glad or mad that these pies are mini! Glad that mini ones have less calories but so mad because mini ones have less pie 🙂
Fried apple pies?! This is so cool! They look incredible – my mouth is watering!
My only experience with fried apple pies were the ones sold in the case at that hamburger place! And in the bakers aisle in those green papers. I never like either. But i bet I like these!
These look great. I could probably rationalize eating them for breakfast too!
What adorable pies, I love that vanilla drizzle! I would have baked too.. frying at home terrifies me ;).
I’d love to find these in my picnic basket!
I absolutely love the idea of these little hand pies! They remind me of the ones at McDonald’s, only better since they’re homemade. Amazing!!
Fried pies! What the what! These are so prefect for a picnic, you can’t beat a handheld dessert. These would be a huge hit for my family. I will be sure to make them for my mom soon. Gorgeous post! Great choice.
Awesome, here in Indonesia we had similiar dish but the filling using jackfruit instead of apple…
I need these in my life – they look like SUCH perfect tasty bite sized treats!!
What perfect picnic treats I adore apple pie like these. I too am no good with a frying pan so would use the oven as well to do all the work.
I could actually go for one right now. With a cup of coffee.
Amalia
xo
These pies scream summer and picnic. Love them. Since I’m terrible at frying I would have gone the baking route, too, and it doesn’t look like these pies suffered at all. They’re gorgeous!
I’m pretty sure the only thing better than regular apple pie is these FRIED apple pies! GIrl, you are just genius!
these look perfect for a picnic! 🙂
Doug would be having a few of the pies for breakfast too (I think all guys rationalize that kind of stuff). Of course, for him it would be a two-bite pie (hopefully). They really do look fantastic…my kind of dessert.
What a perfect time-saving ingredient—to use ready made pie crust! I love that the filling is home made. And to be honest, I’d prefer the baked versions too. These hand held pies are not only perfect for the Fourth of July, but for lunches too. Lovely recipe. Now to check Kelli’s blog.
Honestly you had me at fried – and a handpie to boot – this is a heavenly bit that is portable for a picnic. Great choice!!!
I can totally see enjoying one of these for breakfast. I’m thinking warm with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. They look great!
Liz, these little fried apple pies look so good…especially that they are packed with apples…yum!
Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
I like the idea of these and I like that you can choose to bake them rather than fry them. They look wonderful.
Yes please! We haven’t had apple pie in a while but with my son’s B-Day coming up-it’s on the menu:@) Your hand pies are cute!
Oh wow! These would be such a hit in my house! They look scrumptious and are so pretty, too! Perfect for a picnic!
What gorgeous hand pies! What an easy dessert to transport and eat…..I love the idea of baking them…. I have fond memories of hand pies, my mom used to make raisin hand pies. Pinning…
I haven’t had a fried pie in years! They’re so much fun, aren’t they? And I do like that they’re a self-contained package — no cutlery needed. These looks superb — thanks!
Kelli is awesome. I had her site last month and found a keeper of a recipe. I always find something good and am so glad Yumgoggle is around! This is perfect picnic fare, Liz.
Awww…. shucks Liz – I’ve never been called “salt of the earth” but I really like it! 🙂 These pies are a huge favorite since my Nana used to make them in the extra large super industrial size! 🙂 We love our little pies and recently my daughter asked that I make her some apricot pies………..we make them in all different flavors but the apple are our favorite and it is and always has been my most popular post………….your photos are stunning and I do believe I will be baking mine next time. It’s so much easier and doesn’t smell up the house with that greasy smell! Thank you for making these – I bet I’ll be making these on Sunday for my daughters birthday!
It’s my coffee time and I need one of this right now ! It looks so tasty !
Liz, I am not going on a picnic with you! I’d eat a dozen of these and make myself sick! 🙂 Your photos are always so beautiful. Great choice and again, thanks for rounding us all up for a great June event.
My husband would love these. I am definitely going to surprise him with a picnic that includes these tasty little hand pies.
I’m also dying to dig in into one of these apple pies, they look so good!
You are right they do scream 4th of July but breakfast lunch or dinner these are a treat! nice one Liz
Dear Lizzy, these mini pies are a perfect size and a perfect treat for summer. I would love to have one with my coffee. xo, Catherine