Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Fried apple pies have been a beloved comfort food across America for generations, offering golden, crispy shells filled with sweet, cinnamon-spiced fruit.

The portable nature makes them ideal for packed lunches, road trips, or afternoon snacks when something sweet sounds perfect.

There’s something about that flaky crust meeting warm filling that creates pure satisfaction in every bite.

Making them at home means you control the sweetness level and can enjoy them fresh from the skillet.

They’re surprisingly approachable for cooks of all skill levels and come together faster than most baked desserts.

Serve them warm with a dusting of sugar, and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate.

Standout Features Of Fried Apple Pies

• Comfort Food Classic: These fried apple pies bring back warm memories of grandma’s kitchen, delivering pure comfort with every crispy, fruity bite that feels like a hug for your taste buds.
• Super Simple Pastry: Anyone can master this recipe, even if your baking skills aren’t top-notch. The straightforward steps mean you’ll create delicious hand pies without stress or complicated techniques.
• Portable Snack Delight: Perfect for picnics, lunch boxes, or afternoon treats, these compact pies are easy to pack and share, making them a fantastic option when you want something sweet on the go.
• Fresh Fruit Satisfaction: Using fresh apples lets you control the sweetness and enjoy a homemade filling that tastes completely different from store-bought versions, giving your dessert a personal touch.

Fried Apple Pies Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The foundation of your flaky, tender pie crust that will hold your delicious apple filling.
• Cold Water (1/2 cup): Helps bind your pastry dough together without making it tough.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle flavor balance to your pastry.
• Chilled Shortening (1/2 cup): Creates those perfect, light layers in your pie crust.

• Apples (2 medium): The star of your filling, bringing natural sweetness and soft texture.
• White Sugar (1/4 cup): Enhances the apple’s natural sweetness and helps create a rich filling.
• Ground Cinnamon (1/8 teaspoon): Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the apples perfectly.

• Cooking Oil (amount not specified): Used to create a crispy, golden exterior for your apple pies.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Fried Apple Pies

• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl where you’ll combine flour and create your pastry dough comfortably.
• Pastry Blender: Essential tool for cutting shortening into flour and creating those perfect coarse crumbs for your pie crust.
• Large Cookie Cutter (4-inch diameter): Helps you shape uniform, beautiful pie rounds with minimal effort.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for rolling out your dough evenly and smoothly on the work surface.
• Fork: Great for mixing dough, mashing apples, and sealing pie edges with crimp marks.
• Large Saucepan (2-3 quart): Needed for cooking apple filling and later frying your delicious pies.
• Heavy-Bottom Skillet or Deep Fryer: Crucial for maintaining consistent oil temperature when frying pies.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir apple filling and move pies around in hot oil safely.
• Paper Towels: Perfect for draining excess oil from your freshly fried pies.
• Slotted Spoon: Allows you to remove pies from hot oil without splashing.
• Candy/Frying Thermometer: Ensures your oil reaches the right temperature for perfect golden pies.

Steps for Making Fried Apple Pies

Cooking Know-How For Fried Apple Pies

• Mix flour and salt, then cut in shortening until your dough looks like coarse crumbs for a flaky crust.
• Wrap your dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to relax the gluten and make rolling easier.
• Cook diced apples with cinnamon and sugar until they break down into a thick, smooth sauce that’s bursting with flavor.
• Use cold water to moisten pie edges, then crimp with a fork to create a tight seal that prevents filling from leaking.
• Heat oil to 190°C and fry pies for 2-3 minutes per side, watching carefully to get a beautiful golden-brown color without burning.

Flavorful Options for Fried Apple Pies

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour to create a delicate, crispy crust that works perfectly for those avoiding wheat.
• Pear Swap Variation: Replace apples with ripe pears, keeping the same spices and cooking method for a tender, sweet filling that feels like a cozy dessert.
• Vegan Friendly Option: Use coconut oil instead of shortening and swap out regular sugar for maple syrup or coconut sugar to create a plant-based version of these classic fried pies.
• Healthier Baking Twist: Skip the deep frying and brush the pies with egg wash, then bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown for a lighter approach that cuts down on oil.

How To Serve Fried Apple Pies

• Serve Warm and Fresh: Pull these golden pies straight from the oil and let them rest briefly on paper towels, catching that perfect crispy moment when the crust is still crackling and the apple filling steams gently.
• Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: Nestle a warm fried apple pie next to a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream for a classic contrast that makes every bite feel like a celebration.
• Create a Sharing Platter: Arrange the pies on a rustic wooden board with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, perfect for grabbing and enjoying with friends during afternoon tea or after dinner.
• Dipping Sauce Option: Whip up a quick caramel or cinnamon sauce on the side so friends can drizzle or dunk these crispy hand pies according to their sweet tooth preferences.

Storing Fried Apple Pies Properly

• Store your fried apple pies on a wire rack at room temperature for up to 2 days, keeping them crisp and delicious.
• Wrap individual pies in parchment paper or wax paper before storing in an airtight container to prevent them from getting soggy.
• Freeze these delicate pies by layering them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Reheat frozen or refrigerated pies in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore their original crispy texture and warm apple filling.

Fried Apple Pies Helpful FAQs

Fried Apple Pies Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Whipping up these classic Fried Apple Pies brings pure Southern comfort straight to your kitchen table. Crispy, golden pastry pockets filled with warm spiced apples make the perfect sweet treat that connects generations of home cooks.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 medium apples

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup chilled shortening
• ½ cup cold water
• ¼ cup white sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Oil

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Instructions

1. Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon salt. Cut in ½ cup cold shortening using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Pour ½ cup cold water over the flour mixture. Gently blend with a fork until a loose dough forms. Shape into a compact ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Peel and dice 2 medium apples into small cubes. Transfer to a saucepan with ¼ cup white sugar and ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon. Cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until apples soften completely.
4. Mash the cooked apples using a fork until a thick, smooth applesauce consistency develops. Allow the filling to cool to room temperature.
5. Dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter to create circular pastry rounds.
6. Brush the pastry edges with cold water. Place 1 tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each round. Fold dough over to create a half-moon shape.
7. Crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal each pie completely. Ensure no filling leaks out during frying.
8. Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet to 375°F. Carefully slide 2-3 pies into the hot oil at a time.
9. Fry each pie for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Rotate them gently to ensure even browning.
10. Remove the pies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Choose cold shortening for the flakiest pie crust, which helps create those perfect, tender layers.
• Chill the dough for exactly 30 minutes to relax the gluten and make rolling easier without toughening the pastry.
• When sealing the pies, press fork edges firmly to prevent filling from leaking during frying, creating a tight seal.
• Use a candy thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature, ensuring golden-brown crusts without burning or undercooking.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
• Category: Pies
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 345 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg