Homemade Fried Apple Pie Recipe with Tart Cherries
If you've never made homemade fried apple pies, then you are missing out! Reminiscent of the apple hand pies at a (cough!) certain fast food chain, this fried apple pie recipe features a flaky homemade crust, spiced apple filling, and tart dried cherries. They're a fun way to change up traditional pie on special occasions. And surprising your family with delicious fried apple pies for dessert is certain to earn you extra help with the dishes.
Three Reasons why these are the best Homemade Fried Apple Pies
I know my Mini Pies (I wrote and Entire Cookbook About them!)
My first cookbook is called 175 Best Mini Pie Recipes. So, it's safe to say I know my way around little pies, hand pies, pie pops, pie crusts.....and fried pies. I've tested this recipe and hand pie crust recipe dozens of times, so you can be sure that it works!
the best fall flavors
With their cinnamon sugar-topped flaky crust and a generously spiced apple filling, these mini apple pies bring all of the "autumn apple orchard" flavors with every bite.
Easy to Make (a Variety of Ways)
No deep fryer? No problem. These pies can be fried in a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or even an air fryer (see FAQ section.) You can use different shapes of cutters to make round, rectangular, or event heart shaped pies. And you can change up the filling by adding blueberries, cherries, or other types of fresh fruit.
Important Tips For Making Homemade Fried Pies
Don't Overfill the Pies
Be sure to use only the recommended amount of homemade apple pie filling in your pies. Too much filling will cause the edges of the pies to burst upon frying.
Seal them Tightly
For similar reasons, make sure that you seal the edges of your pies thoroughly. You want to make sure that there are no gaps when the pies go into the fryer, so that no delicious filling escapes.
Keep them Cold
I always recommend putting your assembled pies (baked or fried) into the freezer for 30 minutes prior to baking/frying. This step helps to firm up the homemade crust so that it retains its shape.
Ingredients and Special Equipment
Fried Apple Pie Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar: Dark brown sugar may be used as a substitute.
- Cornstarch: Serves as a thickener for the gooey apple pie filling.
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cardamom: If you don't have cardamom on hand, you can substitute another apple-pie friendly spice, such as allspice or ginger.
- Ground nutmeg
- Butter
- Tart apple: Varietals of tart apples include Granny Smith apples, Cortland and Honeycrisp.
- Sweet apple: Sweet apple varietals include Gala, Fuji and Cameo.
- Lemon juice
- Dried cherries: Feel free to substitute other types of dried fruit, such as cranberries, figs, golden raisins, or even dried apples.
- Hand Pie Dough: For an easy homemade pie crust, use my Flaky Hand Pie Crust recipe. Store-bought pie crust may be substituted for ease, and works very well!
- Oil: Select an oil that can withstand frying at a high temperature, such as canola oil or vegetable oil.
- Egg: For the egg wash, important for sealing the pies.
Special Equipment
- 5-inch round cutter: This size cutter makes a "half-moon shape" pie big enough to hold about two tablespoons of filling. This is perfect if you prefer smaller hand pies. Use up to an 8-inch circle cutter if you want a more generous serving.
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Deep fryer: A deep fryer is the fastest and easiest way to fry your pies. You can use a deep, large skillet, a Dutch oven, or even an air fryer (see FAQ section, below), instead.
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Step-by-Step Instructions and Photos
Prepare the Fried Apple Pie Filling
- In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Melt butter in a large saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and lemon juice; sauté until softened, 4-5 minutes.
3. Reduce to medium heat and add the sugar mixture, tossing to coat. Add water and cherries and cook the filling, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and cool completely.
Assemble the pies
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the Hand Pie Dough from the refrigerator.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to slightly thicker than 1/16 inch (2mm.) Using a 5-inch (12.5 cm) round cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Reroll scraps as necessary.
- Brush the surfaces of the rounds with the egg wash. Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling (30 mL) in the center of each round.
- Fold the rounds in half, enclosing the filling. Press the edges of the circle together to seal completely, and then crimp the edges with the tines of a fork.
- Freeze the pies for at least 30 minutes (see Notes.)
6. In a deep fryer, deep skillet, or Dutch oven, heat 2-3 inched of oil until a thermometer registers 360℉ / 185℃.
7. Fry pies 2 or 3 at a time, being careful to not overcrowd the oil. Flip the pies once, frying until they are deep golden brown on the outsides, 4-5 minutes total. Transfer pies to a wire rack lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. Repeat with the remaining pies.
8. Sprinkle pies with cinnamon sugar or confectioners' sugar and let cool slightly before serving. Eat by hand or serve in a bowl with vanilla ice cream!
FAQ and Troubleshooting your Fried apple Pie Recipe
Yes! If you'd prefer to avoid deep frying and hot oil, you can use an air fryer for your fried pies. Once the pies are assembled, preheat your fryer to 360F. Lightly brush the pies with oil or melted butter. Place the pies in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren't touching. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even browning.The pies should be golden brown and crispy when done. If needed, you can cook for an additional minute or two.
The main reason that your fried pies are falling apart is that the temperature of the oil is not hot enough. The pies absorb too much oil during the cooking process and then fall apart. Use a reputable deep fryer with a built in thermometer, or use an external oil thermometer to check your oil temperature.
The kind of apple (or apples) that you choose for your apple pie should hold its shape while baking and offer a balance of sweetness and tartness. The following types of fresh apples are all good choices: Granny Smith, Jonagold, Cortland, Gala, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Cameo.
Fried apple pies can be fully assembled and frozen for up to two weeks. Freeze for at least 30 minutes on trays, and then store in a freezer bag, tightly sealed. Fry from frozen as directed. Fried pies are best served warm, but they can be stored at room temperature for up to two days, covered in plastic wrap.
More Amazing Apple Recipes for you to explore:
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Homemade Fried Apple Pies with Tart Cherries
Equipment
- 1 4 ½ to 5 inch round cutter (12.5 cm) (for hand pie dough)
- 1 pastry brush
- 1 deep fryer, deep skillet, or Dutch oven (see Notes if using air fryer)
- 1 deep fry thermometer (if not using a deep fryer)
Ingredients
Fried Apple Pie Filling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium tart apple, peeled and chopped (see Ingredients section in post)
- 1 medium sweet apple, peeled and chopped (see Ingredients section in post)
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
Assembly
- 1 Hand Pie Crust Recipe
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 5-6 cups Vegetable or canola oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Confectioners' sugar (optional)
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Instructions
Make Fried Apple Pie Filling
- In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add apples and lemon juice; sauté until softened, 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce to medium heat and add the sugar mixture, tossing to coat. Add water and cherries and cook the filling, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and cool completely.
Assemble the Pies
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the Hand Pie Dough from the refrigerator.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to slightly thicker than 1/16 inch (2mm.) Using a 5-inch (12.5 cm) round cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Reroll scraps as necessary.
- Brush the surfaces of the rounds with the egg wash. Place about 2 tablespoon (30 mL) of the apple filling in the center of each round.
- Fold the rounds in half, enclosing the filling. Press the edges together to seal completely, and then crimp the edges with the tines of a fork.
- Freeze the pies for at least 30 minutes (see Notes.)
- In a deep fryer, deep skillet, or Dutch oven, heat 2-3 inched of oil until a thermometer registers 360℉ / 185℃.
- Fry the pies in batches, flipping once, until they are deep golden brown on the outsides, 4-5 minutes total. Transfer pies to a rack lined with paper towels.
- Sprinkle pies with cinnamon sugar or confectioners' sugar and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Air fryer instructions: Once the pies are assembled, preheat your air fryer to 360F. Lightly brush the pies with oil or melted butter. Place the pies in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren't touching. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even browning.The pies should be golden brown and crispy when done. If needed, you can cook for an additional minute or two.
- Freezing pies before frying helps to retain their shapes and keep them sealed. Pies can be frozen for up to two weeks, sealed in zip top bags.
