Fried Apple Pies

Holding one of these sweet fried apple pies in your hand is a sure sign fall is near. The gently spiced filling balances tart apples. The crust is crisp but tender, and the sugar-cinnamon coating provides a lick-your-lips finish that's purely irresistible.

While you could take a shortcut and use store-bought pie crust for these fried apple pies, we suggest you make up the dough if you have the time. The shortening helps crisp up and tenderize the crust as it fries, leaving them flaky and delicate once they cool.

Our Test Kitchen called these mini fried pies "as perfect as a fried apple pie could be!" And we couldn't agree more.

Ingredients You'll Need for Fried Apple Pies

To make the dough for fried apple pies, you will need:

• All-purpose flour: The bulk of the dough.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and makes the dough tender.
• Salt: Just a bit balances the crust's flavor.
• Vegetable shortening: This type of fat evaporates during frying to make flaky, tender pie crust.
• Egg: You need just one.
• Whole buttermilk: Moistens the crust so it forms easily.

For the filling, you will need:

• Honeycrisp apples: Or another sweet-tart apple.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a richness and hint of molasses.
• Unsalted butter: If you use salted butter, eliminate the salt in the mixture.
• Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the filling.
• Fresh ginger and cinnamon: Classic apple pie seasonings.
• Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Egg: Used to seal the pies shut.

In addition, you'll need more cinnamon and granulated sugar for coating, and canola oil for frying.

How To Make Fried Apple Pies

Classic fried apple pies and hand pies require a bit of effort, but they're so tender and sweet when they're done, that they're worth every minute of crimping and folding dough.

• Step 1. Prepare the dough: Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Then, cut in the shortening. Add an egg and buttermilk, and stir together. When the dough comes together, shape it into a disk and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating it for at least one hour.
• Step 2. Make dough squares: Roll out the dough on a floured work surface. Cut it into four-inch squares, and place the squares onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it.
• Step 3. Make the filling: Bring to a boil the apples, brown sugar, butter, cornstarch, ginger, and cinnamon. After the apples are tender and the mixture is thickened, remove it from the heat, and let it cool to room temperature.
• Step 4. Make pies: Work with one square of dough at a time, placing it in the palm of your hand and creating a cup shape. Put about two tablespoons of filling in the center, and brush the edges of the dough with egg. Fold one corner of the dough to the opposite corner, forming a triangle and pressing down the edges to seal the pie and crimping the edges if you prefer. Repeat until all the pies are made. Arrange them all on a baking sheet, and freeze for about 15 minutes.
• Step 5. Fry pies: Fill a Dutch oven with oil (about eight cups), and heat until the thermometer registers 350°F. Fry two pies at a time under they are golden brown. Don't fry too many, or the temperature of the oil will drop, and the pies won't fry.
• Step 6. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture: Drain them on paper towels. Stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon, and toss the warm pies in the bowl to coat. Let cool briefly before serving,
  

What Do Fried Apple Pies Taste Like?

These fried apple pies have a crust that is tender and crisp at the same time, with a pretty golden brown presentation. The sweet and tart apple filling gets a subtle bite from the ginger. The cinnamon sugar coating adds crunch and texture.

Should You Cook Apples Before Putting in Hand Pies?

Cooking apples before putting them in pie gives them an ideal consistency. To make these fried apple pies, bring the apples to a boil with brown sugar, butter, cornstarch, ginger, and cinnamon in preparation for filling.

More Wonderful Apple Desserts

If you've got a craving for sweet apple desserts, try one of these:

• Apple Rose Tart
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Fried Apples
• Cranberry Apple Pie
• Easy Skillet Apple Pie
  

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.