Best Fried Apple Pies – Homemade Delight

The best fried apple pies recipe (homemade) is a nostalgic treasure, a culinary hug from simpler times. There’s a reason these golden pockets of sweet, spiced apple filling have captured hearts for generations. The comforting aroma that fills your kitchen as they cook is simply irresistible, a promise of the deliciousness to come. What makes a homemade fried apple pie truly special isn’t just the flaky, crispy crust or the perfectly tender, cinnamon-kissed apples within. It’s the feeling of accomplishment, the joy of creating something so wonderfully rustic and satisfying with your own two hands. These aren’t just desserts; they’re edible memories, perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a crowd-pleasing dessert that always brings smiles.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something undeniably comforting and delicious about a homemade fried apple pie. The crisp, golden-brown exterior yielding to a warm, sweet, and slightly tart apple filling is a taste sensation that transports you back to simpler times. Forget those store-bought imposters; making them from scratch is a rewarding experience, and this recipe delivers the absolute best results. We’ll be using a simple yet effective dough that fries up beautifully, and a filling that’s perfectly spiced. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone lucky enough to share these with you!

Ingredients:

Making the Delicious Apple Filling

Let’s start with the heart of our fried apple pies: the filling. This is where we achieve that perfect balance of sweet and tart, with just the right amount of spice. In a medium bowl, combine your diced apples. I find that using a combination of apples, like the tart Granny Smith for structure and a sweet Honeycrisp for a burst of flavor, creates a more complex and satisfying filling. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and the first teaspoon of vanilla to the apples. Toss everything gently to ensure the apples are evenly coated.

Now, let’s make sure our filling isn’t too watery. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider (or apple juice) and the cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This will act as our thickening agent. Pour this mixture over the apples and stir well. Set this bowl aside. The apples will start to release some of their juices, and the cornstarch will begin extract its magic.

Crafting the Perfect Fried Pie Dough

The dough for fried apple pies is crucial. It needs to be tender, flaky, and sturdy enough to hold the filling without becoming soggy. We’re going to create a rich, flavorful dough that’s surprisingly easy to work with. In a large bowl, combine the sifted self-rising flour and the salt. Make sure your flour is sifted for an extra light and tender texture. Add the cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crum extractbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. These little pockets of butter will create flakiness when fried.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the 1/3 cup of HOT milk. The hot milk helps to melt the butter slightly and creates a wonderfully tender dough. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix. Once it just comes together, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it a few times, just until it forms a cohesive ball. It should be slightly sticky but manageable. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is essential for making the dough easier to handle and for allowing the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.

Assembling and Frying Your Pies

Once the dough has chilled, it’s time to assemble our pies. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes if it feels too stiff to roll. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a small bowl (around 4-5 inches in diameter), cut out circles from the dough. You’ll want about 6-8 circles, depending on the size of your cutter. Re-roll the scraps gently to cut out more circles until all the dough is used.

Now, let’s fill these little wonders! Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Don’t overfill, or the filling will escape during frying. Moisten the edge of the dough with a little water or egg wash (made from a beaten egg and a splash of water). Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with your fingers to seal. For an extra secure seal and a decorative touch, you can use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges.

Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to about 350°F (175°C). Carefully slide 2-3 pies into the hot oil at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed up. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to flip the pies and remove them from the oil. Place the fried pies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain off any excess oil.

Finishing Touches and Serving

While the pies are still warm, let’s prepare a simple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk, and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this glaze generously over the warm fried apple pies. The warmth of the pies will help the glaze set beautifully.

Let the pies cool slightly before enjoying. The best fried apple pies are served warm, when the crust is crisp and the filling is gooey. They are delicious on their own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream is never a bad idea. These homemade fried apple pies are a true labor of love, and the incredible taste is well worth the effort. Enjoy every single bite!

Conclusion:

I truly believe this is The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe you’ll ever try! What makes it so special? It’s the perfect harmony of a crisp, golden-brown crust giving way to a warm, tender apple filling bursting with sweet and spiced flavor. The simple yet effective technique ensures that each bite is a delightful explosion of comfort food goodness. These homemade fried apple pies are incredibly versatile. While absolutely divine served warm on their own, they are also sensational with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible contrast of temperatures and textures, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations! You could add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling, or even a tablespoon of bourbon extract for a grown-up twist. Perhaps incorporate some chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple mixture for added crunch. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try. The joy of creating these classic treats from scratch and sharing them with loved ones is incredibly rewarding. Prepare to be impressed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the pie crust ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the pie dough up to two days in advance and store it, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator. This makes assembly even quicker when you’re ready to make your fried apple pies. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before rolling it out.

What kind of apples are best for fried apple pies?

For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using a combination of apples. Granny Smith apples provide a lovely tartness that balances the sweetness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples offer a good sweetness and hold their shape well during cooking. Avoid overly soft apples like Red Delicious, as they can become mushy.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during frying?

Ensuring a good seal is crucial! When you place the top crust over the filling, press down firmly around the edges with your fingers or a fork to crimp them together. This creates a strong seal. Also, be careful not to overfill the pies, as this can also lead to leakage.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Delicious homemade fried apple pies with a perfect balance of sweet and tart filling, encased in a flaky, golden crust. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
45 Minutes

Servings
6 pies

Ingredients

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (1 granny smith and 1 honeycrisp recommended)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons apple cider
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups self-rising flour, sifted
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup HOT milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple cider, and cornstarch. Stir well and set aside.
2. Step 2
   Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine sifted self-rising flour and salt. Cut in the cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/3 cup hot milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until just combined.
3. Step 3
   Assemble the pies: Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a circle, about 6 inches in diameter. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border.
4. Step 4
   Seal and crimp: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Cut a few small slits in the top of each pie for steam to escape.
5. Step 5
   Fry the pies: Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Carefully place 1-2 pies into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Step 6
   Glaze and serve: Remove pies from the oil and drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 Tablespoon milk and 1/2 cup powdered sugar to create a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm fried apple pies. Serve warm.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.