Best Fried Apple Pies Homemade Delicious

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) is more than just a dessert; it’s a nostalgic hug in edible form. There’s something undeniably comforting about that golden, crispy crust encasing a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. It’s a taste of childhood, of simpler times, and frankly, pure deliciousness. What makes these homemade fried apple pies so special? It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors: the satisfying crunch of the fried pastry giving way to the tender, sweet-tart apples, all infused with those aromatic spices that just scream autumn, no matter the season. We’re talking about a truly exceptional treat that can be enjoyed warm, fresh off the stove, making every bite an experience you’ll want to recreate again and again. Get ready to fall in love with The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)!

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about a warm, homemade fried apple pie. The crisp, golden-brown exterior giving way to a sweet, spiced apple filling is a taste of pure bliss. While store-bought versions can be convenient, nothing truly compares to the flavor and satisfaction of making them from scratch. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for the best fried apple pies, a recipe that’s been perfected through many delicious batches. These pies are surprisingly manageable to make at home and will undoubtedly impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

Making the Perfect Apple Filling

Let’s start with the heart of our apple pies: the filling. This is where we achieve that perfect balance of sweet and tart, with just the right amount of spice.

1. First, take your peeled, cored, and diced apples. I always like to use a combination of apples. A tart apple like Granny Smith provides a wonderful tang that cuts through the sweetness, while a sweeter, crisp apple like Honeycrisp adds a lovely natural sweetness and texture. Dice them into small, uniform pieces – about 1/4 inch is ideal so they cook through quickly and evenly.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir gently to coat the apples. Add the vanilla and the apple cider (or juice). The cider adds an extra layer of apple flavor that’s truly delightful.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with about a tablespoon of water until smooth. This slurry will help thicken our filling, giving it that perfect consistency that won’t ooze out everywhere when you bite into the pie.
4. Place the saucepan with the apples over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin extract to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Once the apples are slightly softened, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens. This should only take another minute or two. You want a glossy, slightly jammy consistency. Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool completely. It’s crucial that the filling is cool before you assemble the pies, otherwise, it will melt the dough and make it very difficult to work with.

Crafting the Flaky Pie Dough

Now, for the dough. This recipe creates a wonderfully tender and slightly crisp crust that’s perfect for frying.

1. In a large bowl, combine the sifted self-rising flour and the salt. Sift the flour ensures there are no lumps and that the dough is light and airy.
2. Add the cubed, cold unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using cold butter is key to creating a flaky crust. You want to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crum extractbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. You can do this with a pastry blender, your fingertips, or even a food processor (pulse until you reach the desired consistency).
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the HOT milk. The hot milk helps to slightly melt the butter and create a tender dough. Gradually add this liquid mixture to the flour and butter mixture, stirring with a fork until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until everything is combined.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together into a smooth ball. Don’t overwork the dough, as this can make the pies tough.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up again, making the dough easier to roll out and ensuring a flakier crust.

Assembling and Frying Your Apple Pies

This is the fun part, where your delicious ingredients come together!

1. Once the dough has chilled, divide it into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 5-6 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. You should be able to get about 3-4 circles from each half of the dough, so aim for 6-8 pies in total.
2. Place a generous tablespoon or two of your cooled apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Don’t overfill, or the filling will leak out during frying.
3. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with a little water. Fold the other half of the dough circle over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal. You can use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative finish and to ensure a good seal.
4. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and filling.
5. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350-360°F (175-180°C). It’s important to maintain this temperature for even cooking and to prevent the pies from becoming greasy. You can test the oil by dropping a tiny piece of dough into it; it should sizzle immediately and float to the top.
6. Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, 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 carefully flip the pies and remove them from the oil.
7. Transfer the fried pies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Let them cool slightly before glazing.

The Finishing Touch: A Simple Glaze

To elevate these already incredible pies, a simple powdered sugar glaze is the perfect finishing touch.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Whisk until smooth and drizzleable. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
2. Once the pies are slightly cooled but still warm, drizzle the glaze generously over the tops. The warmth of the pies will help the glaze melt slightly and create a beautiful finish.

Serve these homemade fried apple pies warm and enjoy every single bite. They are truly a taste of homemade happiness!

Conclusion:

There you have it – the ultimate guide to creating the best fried apple pies from scratch! This recipe truly delivers on its promise of a perfectly golden, crispy exterior giving way to a warm, tender, and gloriously spiced apple filling. It’s that comforting taste of home, elevated. We’ve explored everything from achieving that flawless crust to ensuring your apples are seasoned to perfection, making this a truly rewarding baking experience. These delightful pastries are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm, dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with caramel sauce, or even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. For a twist, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the filling, or swapping out some of the apples for pears for a different fruity flavor profile. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try. It’s simpler than you might think and the delicious results are absolutely worth it. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with these amazing homemade fried apple pies!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the pie dough up to 2 days in advance and store it wrapped tightly in the refrigerator. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before rolling it out to make it more pliable. This is a great way to get a head start on your baking!

What’s the best oil for frying apple pies?

For best results, use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils will allow the pies to fry to a beautiful golden brown without burning and won’t impart any unwanted flavors to your delicious fried apple pies.

My fried apple pies are not crispy enough. What did I do wrong?

There are a few common reasons for this. Ensure your oil is hot enough before adding the pies (around 350-375°F or 175-190°C). If the oil is too cool, the pies will absorb too much oil and become greasy rather than crispy. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature. Fry them in batches.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

Delicious homemade fried apple pies with a perfectly balanced sweet and tart filling encased in a flaky crust.

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 or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple cider, and cornstarch. Stir to coat apples evenly and set aside.
2. Step 2
   Make the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together 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 dough forms. Knead lightly on a floured surface until smooth.
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. Place a generous spoonful of the apple filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a small border. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
4. Step 4
   Fry the pies: Heat vegetable or canola oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the apple pies into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed.
5. Step 5
   Drain and glaze: Remove the fried pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. While the pies are still warm, whisk together 1 Tablespoon milk and powdered sugar in a small bowl to create a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm fried apple 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.