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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mash the cooked apples using a fork until a thick, smooth applesauce consistency develops. Allow the filling to cool to room temperature.
- 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.
- 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.
- Crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal each pie completely. Ensure no filling leaks out during frying.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet to 375°F. Carefully slide 2-3 pies into the hot oil at a time.
- Fry each pie for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Rotate them gently to ensure even browning.
- 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