These Old Fashioned Fried Apple Pies are the perfect snack, dessert, breakfast and more for any time you have a taste for all things apple!
Kayla and I started making Apple Hand Pies years ago after we visited the apple orchard one time. I think she was in Kindergarten.
We had purchased one to share and immediately fell in love with the taste and texture of a fried apple pie.
I looked around and found several recipes, tried them out, and then used those to create my own version. We love making these little pies any time of the year and on special occasions. They are super quick to make up!
How to Make Old Fashioned Southern Fried Apple Pies
Let your pie dough come to room temperature and then roll it out. I used a 4″ biscuit cutter to cut mine, making smaller hand pies, but you can use a bowl to get a bigger sized pie.
Don’t overload your rounds or your apple mixture will ooze out. Now, take your pie round fold it over, and crimp the edges using a fork.
If you are not comfortable making your own, they do have gadgets like these hand–pie presses to help you with that process.
Also — and this is important, make sure that the temperature of the oil is at 350 degrees. If not, your pie dough will soak up the oil making them soggy instead of a flaky crust.
Once you get your pies made, be sure and let them drain on paper towels to absorb the excess oil before sprinkling them with a cinnamon-sugar mix (I love the Adams Extract Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar mix).
Once I get them drained and coated, I place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to keep them warm in the oven. I set the temperature at 200 degrees.
You can make these using refrigerated pie dough, but you can also make them and create a homemade pie dough which is what I did for this recipe. You can also skip pie dough altogether and use biscuit dough. A lot of people I know make these using biscuit dough and they are equally as good.
However, if you use puff pastry, you can turn them into apple turnovers instead. Drizzle them with some icing and serve to your family. They will be delicious!
How to Make the Best Apple Fried Pies
For this recipe you will need the following ingredients —
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 fresh apples (you can use any you want, but Granny Smith Apples are the best apples for the tartness) (or homemade apple pie filling)
- 1/3 cup white sugar (you can also use brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
Peel and dice apples. If you are not going to use them right away, squeeze a little lemon juice over the top to keep them from browning. You can use dried apples if you want, but make sure to reconstitute them before adding them to the pan with the sugar and cinnamon. However, I prefer fresh fruit when making these pies.
Add sugar and cinnamon. Cook in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until soft, then mash with fork to form a thick applesauce.
To make the homemade crust, sift flour and salt together. Cut in the shortening. Add water and mix with fork.
Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut with a large cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter).
In each round, place 1 heaping tablespoon of the apple filling. Moisten edges with cold water or an egg wash, and fold and press the edge with a fork.
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fry pies, a few at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side in the hot oil. Cook them until golden brown. I did this in a skillet, but you can also try deep frying them.
Drain on paper towels or a wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioner sugar or my favorite — cinnamon sugar. You can serve these with vanilla ice cream or just eat it straight! They are delicious for sure.
How to Store These Delicious Fried Apple Pies
Store the homemade fried apple pies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can wrap them in plastic wrap if you want to make sure that each one says fresh.
To reheat, just wrap in a paper towel and place in the microwave for a minute. You can also use the air fryer to reheat them as well. No need to wrap them. Just place on the tray and set the temperature to 350 for 5 minutes.
Love apple recipes? Be sure to check out a few of my other favorites here
- Apple Fritters
- Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
- Apple Cider Waffles with Caramel Apple Syrup
- Southern Fried Apples (these would even be good in a fried apple pie recipe)
- Baked Apple Cinnamon French Toast
- Easy Rustic Apple Pie
What is your favorite apple dish? How do you incorporate apples into your savory meals? I would love to hear!
Fried Apple Pies
These old fashioned fried apple pies are my favorite afternoon snack!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 apples
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
Instructions
- Peel and dice apples. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cook in a saucepan on low heat. Cook until soft, then mash with fork to form a thick applesauce.
- Sift flour and salt together. Cut in the shortening. Add water and mix with fork.
- Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick on a floured board. Cut with a large cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter).
- In each round, place 1 heaping tablespoon fruit. Moisten edges with cold water, fold and press edge with a fork.
- Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fry pies, a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on each side; cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 421Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 3g
CHRISTINE A HINER
Tuesday 28th of December 2021
Looks delicious! Can not wait to try it!
Elaine Benoit
Saturday 9th of February 2019
I love hand pies, especially apple!! Your recipe looks easy and delicious and I can't wait to try them!
Danielle Wolter
Saturday 9th of February 2019
i need these in my life. i mean seriously, i hope you can wrap them up and send them over! they look incredible! i'll def have to try this.
Jacqueline Debono
Saturday 9th of February 2019
I adore all kinds of apple pie and apple cakes but have never tried fried apple pies! They look totally yummy!
Jill
Saturday 9th of February 2019
My daughter and I just went picking apples for the very first time this season with her Girl Scout troop. I'll have to save this recipe for the next time we go.