Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe Homemade

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) evokes a nostalgic warmth that’s hard to resist. Imagin extracte biting into a crispy, golden-brown crust, giving way to a molten core of perfectly spiced, tender apples. It’s a taste of pure comfort, a childhood memory baked into every bite. These aren’t your average store-bought pastries; our homemade fried apple pies are special because they capture that authentic, soul-satisfying flavor that only comes from simple, quality ingredients prepared with love. The slight crunch of the fried dough, the sweet and tart dance of the apples, the whisper of cinnamon and nutmeg – it all comes together in a symphony of deliciousness. I’ve spent years perfecting this recipe, and I’m thrilled to share with you The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade) that I believe you’ll adore just as much as I do. Get ready for a truly delightful treat!

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, homemade fried apple pie. The crispy, golden crust giving way to a sweet, tender apple filling is pure bliss. Forget those store-bought versions; this recipe will show you how to create the absolute best fried apple pies right in your own kitchen. This recipe balances the tartness of Granny Smith with the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples, ensuring a perfect flavor profile. The crust is a delightful semi-biscuit, flaky yet sturdy enough to hold all that delicious filling. And the glaze? It’s the perfect sweet finish. Let’s get started on creating these irresistible treats!

Ingredients:

Making the Apple Filling

The first step to achieving the perfect fried apple pie is preparing a flavorful and well-textured apple filling. We want the apples to be tender but not mushy, and the sweetness balanced with a hint of spice.

1. In a medium saucepan, combine your diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and apple cider. Stir everything together to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
2. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin extract to soften. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for them to be fork-tender, but still hold their shape.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until smooth. This slurry will help thicken our apple filling.
4. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering apple mixture. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another 1-2 minutes, or until the filling has thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Allowing the filling to cool is crucial; hot filling will make the dough difficult to work with and can potentially melt the butter in the dough prematurely.

Creating the Flaky Pie Crust

The crust is the foundation of any great pie, and for fried apple pies, we want something that’s both tender and a little bit crisp. This recipe uses a simple yet effective method for a wonderfully flaky dough.

1. In a large bowl, combine the sifted self-rising flour and the ¼ teaspoon of salt.
2. Add the 4 tablespoons of cubed, cold unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crum extractbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. These little pockets of butter are what will create the flakiness in your crust.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 2 egg yolks and the 1/3 cup of HOT milk. The hot milk helps to activate the leavening in the self-rising flour and creates a tender crust.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a fork until just combined and a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough crust.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together into a cohesive ball. Do not knead the dough. Flatten it slightly into a disk, wrap it 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 the Pies

Now for the exciting part – assembling our beautiful apple pies and transforming them into golden, crispy delights through frying.

1. Once the dough has chilled, divide it into 8 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a circle about 5-6 inches in diameter. You want the dough to be thin enough to cook through but not so thin that it tears easily.
2. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons 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 leak out during frying.
3. Moisten the edges of the dough with a little water. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal, then crimp with a fork for an extra secure seal and a decorative edge.
4. Prepare your frying station. In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable or canola oil to 350°F (175°C). It’s important to maintain a consistent oil temperature; too low and the pies will be greasy, too high and they will burn before cooking through. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
5. Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed. You’ll see them puff up nicely, which is a good sign of a well-made crust.
6. Using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, remove the fried pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Let them cool slightly before glazing.

The Sweet Finishing Touch: The Glaze

A simple glaze is the perfect complement to these warm, fried apple pies. It adds just the right amount of sweetness and a beautiful sheen.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and the ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth and drizzly. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
2. Drizzle the glaze generously over the slightly cooled fried apple pies. Serve them warm and enjoy the incredible taste of homemade!

Conclusion:

I hope you’re as excited as I am about making The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)! This recipe truly is a winner because it delivers that perfect balance of flaky, golden-brown crust and a warm, spiced apple filling that’s both comforting and utterly delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, the steps are straightforward, and the payoff is immense. These little pockets of joy are wonderful served warm right out of the pan, perhaps with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. They also make fantastic handheld treats for picnics or potlucks. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations – add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth, or swap out some of the apples for pears. Most importantly, I truly encourage you to gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try. The satisfaction of biting into a homemade fried apple pie you made yourself is unparalleled!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pie dough up to two days in advance and store it, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before you’re ready to roll it out for easier handling.

What kind of apples are best for fried apple pies?

For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using a mix of apples. A combination like Granny Smith (for tartness and structure) and Fuji or Honeycrisp (for sweetness and a softer bite when cooked) works wonderfully. Avoid overly soft apples like Red Delicious, as they can turn mushy.

Can I bake these instead of frying them?

Yes, you can! While frying gives them that irresistible crispness, baked apple pies are also delicious. Brush the tops with an egg wash and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. The texture will be different but still very enjoyable.

The Best Fried Apple Pies Recipe (Homemade)

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

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
50 Minutes

Servings
6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (I recommend 1 granny smith and 1 honeycrisp for balance)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons apple cider (or apple juice)
• 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 saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
2. Step 2
   For the dough: In a large bowl, combine self-rising flour and salt. Cut in the cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Step 3
   In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/3 cup HOT milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
4. Step 4
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times until it just comes together. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle, about 6 inches in diameter.
5. Step 5
   Spoon a generous amount of the cooled apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
6. Step 6
   Heat vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the apple pies in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
7. Step 7
   For the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle 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.