Best Fried Apple Pies Homemade Delicious Recipe

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) transports you straight to grandma’s kitchen, doesn’t it? There’s something undeniably magical about these golden, crispy parcels filled with warm, spiced apples. We all have a memory tied to them, a comforting embrace from childhood that just warms the soul. What makes these homemade fried apple pies so incredibly special? It’s the perfect harmony of textures: that shatteringly crisp, golden-brown crust giving way to a lusciously tender, cinnamon-kissed apple filling. Forget those mass-produced imitations; this is the real deal, a labor of love that yields an explosion of flavor in every single bite. Get ready to create your own unforgettable memories with this truly spectacular fried apple pie recipe.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, flaky fried apple pie. The sweet, spiced apple filling encased in a crisp, golden-brown crust is pure nostalgic bliss. While store-bought versions can be convenient, nothing beats the flavor and satisfaction of making them from scratch. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for the best homemade fried apple pies, a recipe that’s surprisingly simple yet delivers phenomenal results. Get ready for your kitchen to smell absolutely divine!

This recipe strikes a beautiful balance between tart and sweet apples, creating a filling that’s perfectly spiced and incredibly flavorful. The dough is tender and flaky, a result of using self-rising flour and cold butter, then enriching it with egg yolks and hot milk. The final step of frying them to a perfect golden crisp and glazing them with a simple powdered sugar icing is the crowning glory. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients:

Preparing the Apple Filling

The heart of any great apple pie is its filling. For these individual fried pies, we want a filling that’s not too runny but still moist and full of apple goodness.

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and apple cider. Stir everything together well.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin extract to soften, about 5-7 minutes. You don’t want them mushy, just tender.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with about 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry.
4. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering apple mixture. Stir continuously until the filling thickens. This should only take a minute or two.
5. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. It’s crucial that the filling is cool before you start assembling the pies, otherwise, it can make the dough gummy and difficult to work with.

Making the Pie Dough

The dough for these fried apple pies is a bit different from a traditional rolled pie crust. It’s a richer, more tender dough that holds its shape beautifully when fried.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted self-rising flour and salt.
2. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crum extractbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. These little pockets of butter will create flakiness.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, hot milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The hot milk helps to slightly cook the egg yolks and makes the dough more tender.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough crust. The dough will be shaggy.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together into a cohesive ball. It will be slightly sticky. Wrap it 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 developing its texture.

Assembling and Frying the Pies

This is where the magic happens! Frying these pies creates a wonderful crispness that’s hard to replicate in an oven-baked pie.

1. Once the dough has chilled, lightly flour your work surface and the top of the dough. Roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
2. Using a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter), cut out circles from the dough. You’ll want to gather and re-roll scraps gently as needed, but try to handle them as little as possible.
3. Place a heaping tablespoon of the cooled apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Don’t overfill, or the filling will ooze out during frying.
4. Moisten the edge of the dough with a little water or egg wash. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
5. Press the edges firmly together to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish and to ensure a good seal.
6. Heat about 1-2 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to about 350-360°F (175-180°C). It’s important to maintain this temperature for even cooking and to prevent the pies from burning on the outside before the inside is cooked.
7. Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed.
8. Use a slotted spoon or spider to carefully remove the fried pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. This allows excess oil to drip off and keeps them crispy.

Glazing and Serving

The final touch to these irresistible fried apple pies is a simple, sweet glaze.

1. While the pies are still warm (but not piping hot), prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and the 1/4 teaspoon of salt until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the pies but still pourable.
2. Drizzle the glaze over the warm fried apple pies. The warmth of the pies will help the glaze melt slightly and create a beautiful sheen.
3. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. These are best enjoyed warm, but they are also delicious at room temperature.

Enjoy these homemade fried apple pies! They are perfect for a treat any time of day.

Conclusion:

There you have it – The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)! We’ve walked through how to create those perfectly golden, flaky crusts filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples. The beauty of this recipe lies in its delightful balance of textures and flavors: the crisp exterior giving way to a tender, sweet apple filling that evokes pure comfort. These aren’t just any fried apple pies; they are a testament to simple ingredients and classic techniques, resulting in a truly irresistible treat. Whether served warm as a dessert or enjoyed at room temperature as a delightful snack, these pies are sure to impress. Try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent experience, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added sweetness.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can easily adapt this recipe by adding a pinch of nutmeg to the apple filling for a deeper spice profile, or a tablespoon of lemon zest to brighten the flavors. Chopped walnuts or pecans can also be added for a delightful crunch. I truly encourage you to give this recipe a try. The aroma alone as they cook will fill your home with a sense of cozy nostalgia, and the taste will have everyone asking for seconds. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The pie dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. This makes assembling the pies even quicker when you’re ready to fry them.

What’s the best way to prevent the filling from leaking?

Ensuring a good seal is key. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the pie crusts firmly. You can also lightly brush the edges with water before pressing them together. Overfilling the pies can also lead to leakage, so be mindful of the amount of apple filling you use.

Can I bake these instead of frying them?

While this recipe is specifically designed for frying to achieve that classic crispy exterior, you can certainly bake them. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. The texture will be different, but they will still be delicious!

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Delicious homemade fried apple pies with a perfectly crisp crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling. A classic comfort food dessert.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
45 Minutes

Servings
6 servings

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 oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1
   For the filling: In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple cider, and cornstarch. Stir well to coat.
2. Step 2
   For the dough: In a large bowl, cut the cubed butter into the sifted self-rising flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/3 cup hot milk, and salt.
3. Step 3
   Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Divide dough into 6 equal portions and flatten into discs.
4. Step 4
   Roll out each disc into a circle about 6 inches in diameter. Spoon a portion of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border.
5. Step 5
   Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.
6. Step 6
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the apple pies in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp.
7. Step 7
   Drain fried pies on a wire rack lined with paper towels. For the glaze: Whisk together 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon milk, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle over warm pies.

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.