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Home » Dessert » Fried Apple Pies

Published: September 9, 2018 Last Modified: March 12, 2019 By Sara 39 Comments

Fried Apple Pies

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Fried Apple Pies Recipe | McDonald's Copycat Recipe | Apple Pie | Apple Hand Pies #pie #apples #applepie #dessert #snack #dinneratthezoo

These fried apple pies are a McDonald’s copycat recipe that feature a homemade apple pie filling encased in pastry and deep fried to flaky perfection. The pies are finished off with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for a unique and delicious dessert option.

I grew up eating fried apple pie at McDonald’s, and I have to say, this homemade version is WAY better than the restaurant recipe! The addition of cinnamon sugar really takes these pies over the top.

Fried Apple Pies Recipe | McDonald's Copycat Recipe | Apple Pie | Apple Hand Pies #pie #apples #applepie #dessert #snack #dinneratthezoo Fried Apple Pies Recipe | McDonald's Copycat Recipe | Apple Pie | Apple Hand Pies #pie #apples #applepie #dessert #snack #dinneratthezoo

Fried apple pies on a plate served with caramel sauce and topped with cinnamon sugar.

These fried apple pies are a copycat of those delicious, flaky pies from McDonald’s and yes, I ate more than I should have. Dare I say, they were far more delicious homemade than from the fast food restaurant!

HOW DO YOU MAKE FRIED APPLE PIES?

Once you’ve laid our your puff pastry dough and cut it accordingly, spoon your delicious apple cinnamon mixture into the middle before crimping the sides. Allow the pies to chill in the freezer for a bit, then fry them to golden brown perfection. Let them cool down a bit before devouring!

Homemade apple pie filling in a skillet.

The fried apple pie mixture is so much better when it’s homemade. However, if you are short on time or just don’t want to make your own apple filling, canned filling will do just fine. Those pies will still be just as deliciously addicting even if you don’t use the homemade filling.

A sheet of puff pastry topped with homemade apple pie filling.

It’s very important that you allow the pies to cook for the appropriate amount of time. If they don’t cook long enough, the pastry won’t cook all the way through and you’ll end up with gooey pastry in the middle. If the outside of the pies are browning too quickly, turn the heat down for more even results.

Puff pastry apple hand pies ready to go into the fryer.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO FRY HAND PIES?

These pies can be fried on the stove or in an electric fryer. However, the easiest way to fry anything is to have an actual fryer. I don’t mind frying in a pan but it’s not as easy to get a nice even golden brown with a frying pan. A fryer seems to be quicker and easier if you have the access to use one. If not, a deep frying pan is perfect.

IS HOMEMADE HEALTHIER THAN MCDONALD’S?

The great thing about homemade food is the fact that you have more control of how your food is made and what it’s made with. Most fast food (yes, even the salad) is high in carbs, calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. None of this is good for us in large quantities therefore, I like to go with homemade more than fast food. That being said, these pies are hardly healthy food!

A plate of deep fried apple pies dusted with cinnamon sugar.

These fried apple pies might look like they’re difficult to make but they take very little effort. They work great as a quick dessert or even a treat for breakfast. They’re perfect served as is but also go well with caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

A cross section of a fried apple pie on a plate.

MORE APPLE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Apple Fries
  • Caramel Apple Dip
  • Apple Nachos
  • Apple Pork Chops
  • Slow Cooker Apple Cider
Fried apple pies on a plate served with caramel sauce and topped with cinnamon sugar.
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4.95 from 18 votes

Fried Apple Pies

These fried apple pies are a McDonald's copycat recipe that feature a homemade apple pie filling encased in pastry and deep fried to flaky perfection.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 476kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 17.3 ounce box puff pastry sheets thawed
  • 3 cups Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and diced
  • 6 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • caramel sauce for serving optional
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  • Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 4 pieces. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Place the apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg  and cloves in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook for 6-8 minutes or until apples are tender. Stir in the butter.
  • Whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and add to the apple mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until apple filling has thickened.
  • Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture onto one side of each piece of puff pastry. Brush the edges with water and fold over to make a rectangle.
  • Crimp the edges of each puff pastry rectangle with a fork.
  • Chill the pies for 20 minutes in the freezer.
  • Heat 3 inches of oil to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook 2-3 pies at a time, for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and pastry is cooked through.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
  • Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over each pie as it comes out of the oil.
  • Repeat the frying and cinnamon sugar sprinkling process with all of the remaining pies.
  • Serve immediately, with caramel sauce if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.8mg
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Filed Under: Dessert

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    Comments

    1. Alissa says

      September 18, 2022 at 9:13 am

      Will this work with other apples, not just Granny Smith?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        September 19, 2022 at 11:27 am

        Yes other apples will also work!

        Reply
    2. Cora says

      June 23, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! Love this recipe!

      Reply
    3. Sarah says

      September 29, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an incredibly tasty recipe and we loved the caramel dip

      Reply
    4. Mark says

      May 2, 2021 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      Sooooo tasty and easy, even this old fool managed it.

      Reply
    5. jo says

      January 29, 2021 at 4:48 am

      can i do this in an air fryer?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 29, 2021 at 8:32 am

        I believe it would work but I haven’t tested it myself!

        Reply
    6. Nada says

      October 10, 2020 at 11:12 pm

      If i made big quantity at once? How long will it last?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 12, 2020 at 3:16 pm

        They should last for 2 days!

        Reply
    7. Michael Raines says

      October 10, 2020 at 5:57 pm

      5 stars
      You did good when you posted these. I miss the pies from McDonalds but now I can eat them whenever i like. I made extra and froze them. No need to thaw before cooking and they come out delicious. Thank you so much.

      Reply
    8. Oneita R Steele says

      August 16, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      Can I use flaky biscuits instead of Pastry dough?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 16, 2020 at 8:35 pm

        Yes that should work!

        Reply
    9. Sierra💗 says

      June 13, 2020 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      instead of frying all at once can i save some of the pies in my freezer for another day?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 13, 2020 at 8:56 pm

        Yes that should be fine!

        Reply
        • Amanda says

          July 26, 2022 at 8:12 pm

          Would you first thaw them from the freezer or do you think they can be thrown into the fryer frozen?

          Reply
          • Sara says

            August 3, 2022 at 9:19 am

            They can be fried from frozen.

            Reply
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