Best Fried Apple Pies – Homemade Deliciousness

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) holds a special place in my heart, and I bet it does in yours too. There’s something undeniably comforting and nostalgic about a perfectly fried apple pie, its golden-brown crust giving way to a warm, spiced apple filling that just bursts with flavor. It’s a treat that transcends generations, conjuring memories of crisp autumn evenings, grandma’s kitchen, and pure, unadulterated joy in every bite. What makes this dish so beloved? It’s the irresistible combination of tender, sweet apples, a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, all encased in a flaky, slightly chewy crust that’s been kissed by hot oil. Unlike their baked cousins, fried apple pies offer a unique texture – a delightful crispness that’s simply addictive. This recipe is my go-to for achieving that perfect balance, ensuring your homemade fried apple pies are the star of any gathering, or a personal indulgence you’ll want to savor all by yourself.

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The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something undeniably comforting and nostalgic about a warm, flaky fried apple pie. The crisp, golden-brown crust gives way to a sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling that just melts in your mouth. While store-bought versions can be convenient, nothing quite compares to the incredible flavor and satisfaction of making them yourself from scratch. This recipe has been a labor of love, tweaked over time to achieve that perfect balance of tender apples, rich crust, and just the right amount of sweetness. I’m so excited to share my absolute best fried apple pie recipe with you! Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most amazing aroma.

Ingredients:

Making the Apple Filling

Let’s start with the heart of our pie – the delicious apple filling. In a medium bowl, combine your diced apples. I find that using a mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet apples like Honeycrisp creates the most complex and satisfying flavor. The Granny Smith provides a nice tang to cut through the sweetness, while the Honeycrisp adds a lovely sweetness and holds its shape well. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and that teaspoon of vanilla. Give everything a good stir to coat the apples evenly. Now, for a little secret to getting that perfect pie filling consistency: the apple cider and cornstarch. Whisk together the apple cider (or juice) and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. This slurry will thicken the filling as it cooks, preventing it from being too watery. Pour this mixture over the apples and stir again. Set this aside while we prepare the crust; the flavors will meld beautifully.

Crafting the Flaky Pie Crust

The crust is crucial to a great fried pie, and this recipe delivers a wonderfully flaky and tender result. In a large bowl, combine the sifted self-rising flour and the salt. Sifted flour ensures a lighter texture, so don’t skip this step! Add the cubed unsalted butter. You want your butter to be cold and firm, which is key for creating those flaky layers. Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or even a food processor to 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 melt during baking, creating steam and those desirable flakes.

Now, let’s make the binder. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the 1/3 cup of HOT milk. Using hot milk is another little trick that helps the dough come together beautifully and creates a tender crust. Gradually add this egg and milk mixture to the flour and butter mixture, stirring with a fork until just combined and a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overworking the dough can lead to a tough crust.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together into a cohesive ball. It might seem a little sticky, but that’s okay. Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period is essential for the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up again, making the dough much easier to roll out and preventing it from shrinking too much during frying.

Assembling and Frying Your Apple Pies

Once the dough has chilled, it’s time to assemble our pies! Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cutter (about 5-6 inches in diameter) or even the rim of a bowl, cut out circles of dough. You can re-roll the scraps once, but be gentle to avoid overworking.

Now, grab your apple filling. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge. It’s important not to overfill the pies, or they will be difficult to seal and might burst during frying.

To seal the pies, lightly brush the edges of the dough with a little water or the reserved egg wash (if you have any leftover from the yolks, you can whisk it with a tiny splash of water or milk). 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, and then use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges decoratively. This not only looks nice but also ensures a good seal to prevent any filling from escaping.

Heat your vegetable or canola oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C). You want enough oil to allow the pies to float freely. Carefully place 2-3 pies at a time into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed up. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to carefully remove the pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil.

The Finishing Touch: The Glaze

While the pies are still warm, it’s time for the final, delightful touch – a simple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and the 1 Tablespoon of milk and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and drizzly. You might need to add a touch more milk or powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle this sweet glaze generously over the warm fried apple pies. The warmth of the pies will help the glaze set slightly.

Serve these warm, homemade fried apple pies immediately for the ultimate treat. They are absolutely divine on their own, or you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra decadent experience. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

I truly believe this is The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe you’ll ever make! The combination of a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust and a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling is simply irresistible. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with that wonderful hint of cinnamon that just screams comfort. These homemade fried apple pies are a delightful way to celebrate any occasion, or simply to treat yourself to something truly special. They’re fantastic served warm, dusted with powdered sugar, or alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra decadent experience. Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the filling, a splash of lemon juice for brightness, or even a handful of chopped walnuts for a delightful crunch. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try. The effort is minimal, and the reward is a batch of delicious, homemade goodness that will bring smiles all around.

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, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make it easier to roll out before proceeding with the recipe.

What’s the best oil for frying apple pies?

A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is ideal for frying. Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are excellent choices. This ensures your pies get beautifully golden and crisp without imparting any unwanted flavors.

How do I prevent my apple pies from leaking?

Ensuring a good seal is key! When assembling your pies, make sure to crimp the edges firmly with a fork. You can also brush the edges of the bottom crust with a little water or egg wash before placing the top crust on, which helps the dough stick together better.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Delicious homemade fried apple pies with a perfectly crisp crust and a sweet, spiced apple filling.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
45 Minutes

Servings
8 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 or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1
   For the filling: Combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple cider, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool completely.
2. Step 2
   For the dough: In a large bowl, combine sifted self-rising flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 1/3 cup hot milk until smooth.
3. Step 3
   Gradually add the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Step 4
   Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 4-5 inch circles. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling on one half of each circle, leaving a small border.
5. Step 5
   Moisten the edges of the dough with a little water. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp with a fork to ensure a tight seal.
6. Step 6
   Heat about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed.
7. Step 7
   Remove fried pies from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain. For the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth and drizzly.
8. Step 8
   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.