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Fried Apple Hand Pie Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 77 reviews

These Fried Apple Hand Pies are a delightful treat featuring a flaky homemade dough filled with a warm, spiced apple filling. Fried to golden perfection and topped with a simple vanilla glaze, they make a perfect dessert or snack that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Ingredients

Scale

DOUGH

  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 4–8 tablespoon ice water

APPLE FILLING

  • 2 large firm apples (such as Granny Smith or Honey Crisp), peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

GLAZE

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut 3/4 cup shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse gravel. Gradually add 4 to 8 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until a dough forms.
  2. Chill the dough: Remove the dough from the bowl, knead it gently a few times, and shape it into a disc. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling.
  3. Prepare the apple filling: Peel, core, and dice 2 large apples into small pieces. In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften.
  4. Thicken the filling: Mix 4 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon corn starch to form a slurry. Add this to the softened apple mixture and cook until the filling thickens, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  5. Roll out the dough: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 5-inch round cutter to cut out circles from the dough. If you don’t have a 5-inch cutter, use the largest circle cutter available and gently roll to adjust the size.
  6. Fill and seal the pies: Place a heaping tablespoon of the apple filling on one half of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press and crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
  7. Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and set aside.
  8. Fry the hand pies: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Carefully lower the hand pies into the hot oil in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each pie for about 2 minutes on each side or until they turn a golden brown color. Use a thermometer to maintain a consistent oil temperature for even frying.
  9. Drain and glaze: Remove the fried pies from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Once drained, transfer the pies to a wire rack. Using a pastry brush, brush the prepared glaze over the top side of each hot hand pie.

Notes

  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp for the best texture and flavor.
  • Ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 375°F to avoid greasy pies.
  • If you prefer, you can substitute shortening with cold butter in the dough for a richer flavor.
  • Allow pies to cool slightly before eating to avoid burning from hot filling.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving to maintain the crispiness.

Keywords: apple hand pie, fried desserts, homemade pie, apple filling, hand pies recipe, autumn dessert

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/fried-apple-hand-pie-recipe/