Irresistible Easy Fried Apple Pies: Crispy, Sweet & Homemade Delight

Easy Fried Apple Pies are a beloved classic, delivering a perfect blend of crispy, golden crust and a warm, sweet, spiced apple filling. This simple recipe brings the nostalgic charm of homemade fried pies right to your kitchen, proving to be a quick and satisfying dessert or snack for any occasion. Forget the drive-thru versions; these homemade fried apple pies are superior in every way, offering a rich flavor and delightful texture that will win over everyone. They are truly a quick and delicious dessert or snack that everyone will love, reminiscent of childhood memories and festive gatherings.

These golden-brown pastries combine a flaky, golden-fried crust with an incredibly flavorful, tender apple filling, making them an ideal treat for family gatherings, a delightful end to any meal, or a comforting snack anytime the craving strikes. Each bite offers the perfect balance of sweetness and warm spices, enveloped in a delightfully crisp exterior. It’s no wonder these are one of my favorite Apple Desserts, easily surpassing the taste of any fast food restaurant offering, like the famous McDonald’s fried apple pies.

If you’re a fan of apple desserts, you might also enjoy exploring our Apple Pie Cookies Recipe, a bite-sized delight, or the innovative Air Fryer Apple Fries for a healthier twist. For those who love a rustic touch, our Apple Fritters Recipe offers a fluffy, fried experience, and the Mini Apple Pie Bites Recipe provides another charming, easy-to-make option. But for true, handheld pastry bliss, these simple fried apple pies are truly unbeatable.

Why This Easy Fried Apple Pie Recipe Works Wonders

This particular recipe for fried apple pies stands out for several compelling reasons, making it a go-to for anyone craving a truly satisfying apple dessert:

• Golden and Crispy Crust – The magic of frying these pies creates an undeniably perfect crunchy exterior that beautifully contrasts with the soft, warm filling inside. Unlike baked pies, the deep-frying process locks in moisture and delivers that signature golden-brown crispness that makes fried pies so irresistible. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a tender, flavorful interior.
• Sweet and Spiced Apple Filling – At the heart of these delicious hand pies is a filling that boasts a harmonious blend of sugar, fragrant cinnamon, and perfectly tender apples. This combination yields a warm, comforting, and subtly spiced flavor profile that is utterly delightful. The spices enhance the natural sweetness of the apples without overpowering them, creating a rich and inviting taste experience.
• Quick and Simple to Prepare – Utilizing readily available ingredients, particularly canned biscuits for the crust, significantly streamlines the preparation process. These homemade apple pies come together surprisingly fast, making them an ideal choice for those busy days when you desire a homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. They are perfect for last-minute cravings or spontaneous treat-making.
• A Beloved Nostalgic Treat – For many, the taste of a fried apple pie immediately evokes fond memories of childhood fairs, classic diners, or cherished family recipes. This recipe captures that timeless essence, offering a comforting and familiar flavor that transports you back to simpler times. It’s a delightful way to recreate those nostalgic moments in your own home.
• Highly Customizable for Your Taste – One of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility. You have complete freedom to adjust the sweetness levels, modify the spice blend (perhaps adding a touch of nutmeg or allspice), or even incorporate additional ingredients like plump raisins or crunchy chopped nuts to suit your personal preferences. This adaptability ensures that every batch can be uniquely yours.

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Fried Apple Pies

Crafting the perfect fried apple pie starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for the best results:

For the Crispy Apple Hand Pies

• Canned Biscuits – These are the secret weapon for convenience in this easy fried apple pie recipe. Any standard brand of canned biscuits will work beautifully, quickly forming the flaky, golden crust for your delicious handheld pies. They save significant time compared to making dough from scratch, making this dessert truly “easy.”
• Granny Smith Apple – The tartness of Granny Smith apples is ideal for balancing the sweetness of the filling. These apples also possess a firm texture that holds its shape exceptionally well during cooking, preventing the filling from becoming overly mushy. They provide a delightful contrast and structure to the overall pie.
• Butter – Unsalted butter is preferred to give you control over the overall saltiness of the dish, ensuring a rich, indulgent flavor without any added excess sodium. Butter adds a luscious depth to the apple filling as the apples cook down, enhancing their natural sweetness and creating a smooth, luxurious sauce.
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar – The combination of both brown sugar and granulated sugar contributes to a more complex sweetness and a deeper, caramelized flavor in the apple filling. Brown sugar, with its molasses content, adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, while granulated sugar provides pure sweetness. You can use store-bought or even try our Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe for an extra touch.
• Ground Cinnamon – A key spice, ground cinnamon not only enhances the natural flavor of the apples but also infuses the entire filling with a warm, comforting, and aromatic spiced taste. It’s the quintessential partner to apples in any dessert, bringing out their best qualities.
• Salt – Just a pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the pie and enhancing all the other flavors. It acts as a flavor enhancer, making the apples and spices truly shine.
• Corn Starch & Cold Water – These two ingredients combine to create a slurry that effectively thickens the apple filling. Cornstarch ensures the filling remains cohesive and doesn’t run out of the pies during frying, giving you a perfectly structured and flavorful center.
• Vegetable Oil for Frying – A neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, is essential for deep frying these apple pies to a beautiful golden brown without imparting unwanted flavors. You’ll need enough to allow the pies to be submerged or at least halfway covered during frying.

Sweet Glaze for Your Fried Apple Pies

The optional yet highly recommended glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful finish to your homemade fried apple pies. It’s incredibly simple to make and elevates the dessert significantly.

• Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient is the base for a smooth, pourable glaze. Sifting the powdered sugar before mixing is crucial to prevent any lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth consistency for your topping.
• Milk – The choice of milk will influence the richness of your glaze. Whole milk typically creates a creamier, slightly richer glaze, while reduced-fat milk can be used for a lighter option without sacrificing much flavor. You can also experiment with a splash of vanilla extract for added aroma.

You can find the complete list of specific ingredient quantities and detailed measurements in the recipe card located at the very bottom of this post. These precise amounts will guide you to crafting the most delicious fried apple pies!

Creative Variations and Delicious Additions for Apple Hand Pies

One of the joys of making homemade fried apple pies is the ability to customize them to your liking. Here are some fantastic ways to switch up this classic dessert:

• Top with Powdered Sugar or Cinnamon-Sugar – For a simpler, yet equally delicious finish, skip the liquid glaze. Instead, generously sprinkle each warm fried pie with plain powdered sugar. For an extra boost of flavor and aroma, combine powdered sugar with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a classic cinnamon-sugar mix. This creates a sweet, spiced coating that’s absolutely delightful.
• Experiment with Other Fruit Fillings – The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. While apples are traditional, you can easily substitute the apple filling with other beloved fruits to create a variety of hand pies. Try ripe blueberries, sweet peaches, juicy strawberries, tart cherries, or flavorful blackberries. Creating Homemade Pie Fillings for these fruits allows for even greater control over flavor and sweetness, ensuring a truly personalized treat.
• Use Alternative Doughs: Pie Crust or Puff Pastry – If you prefer a flakier, more traditional pie texture, you can easily replace the canned biscuits with store-bought pie dough or puff pastry. Simply roll out the dough to your desired thickness and cut into circles or squares. You can also try your hand at our Homemade Pie Crust for an extra homemade touch, offering a rich, buttery foundation for your apple filling.
• Enhance with Different Spice Mixtures – Beyond cinnamon, you can create a more complex flavor profile. A cinnamon-sugar mixture for sprinkling on top is a great start. For a seasonal twist, consider adding pumpkin spice blend during the fall months or a dedicated apple pie spice blend to the filling. A hint of nutmeg or allspice can also elevate the apple flavor wonderfully.
• Choose Your Preferred Apple Variety – While Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness and firm texture, you can certainly experiment with other apple varieties based on your preference for sweetness and texture. Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples offer a sweeter filling and will still hold up well during cooking, providing a different flavor dimension to your fried apple pies.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Easy Fried Apple Pies

Making these delicious fried apple pies is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly golden and flavorful treats:

Step 1 – Prepare the Fresh Apple Filling: Begin by dicing your peeled and cored Granny Smith apples into small, uniform pieces. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced apples, butter, both granulated and brown sugars, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the pan. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, for approximately 8-12 minutes, or until the apples have softened significantly and have released their juices, creating a fragrant, sweet sauce. They should be tender but not mushy.

Step 2 – Thicken the Apple Mixture with Cornstarch: Once the apples are tender, increase the heat to medium-high. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until no lumps remain, forming a smooth slurry. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering apple mixture in the saucepan. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce visibly thickens, which should only take 1-2 minutes. The filling should be glossy and hold its shape. Remove the thickened apple mixture from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the biscuit dough.

Step 3 – Flatten the Canned Biscuits: Lightly flour your countertop or a clean working surface. Carefully separate each canned biscuit. Place a biscuit on the floured surface and use a rolling pin to flatten it into an oval or circular shape, aiming for a thickness of about ⅛ to ¼ inch. This thinness will create a crispy crust. Flour the rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking. Repeat this process for all the biscuits in the package.

Step 4 – Fill Each Biscuit with Apple Mixture: Once all your biscuits are flattened, spoon a small amount of the cooled apple mixture onto one half of each biscuit. Be mindful not to overfill, leaving a clear border around the edges. About 1-2 tablespoons per biscuit is usually sufficient, depending on the size of your flattened dough. This prevents the filling from oozing out during frying.

Step 5 – Fold and Seal the Biscuits: Carefully fold the unfilled half of each biscuit over the apple filling, creating a half-moon shape. Gently press down on the edges with your fingers to seal them together. For an extra secure seal and a decorative touch, use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges all around. This step is crucial to ensure the apple pie filling remains securely inside the pastry while frying and adds a lovely presentation.

Step 6 – Fry the Apple Pies to Golden Perfection: Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. The ideal oil temperature for frying is between 350°F and 375°F (175°C – 190°C); use a candy thermometer to monitor this closely. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the sealed apple pies into the hot oil, frying them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until each pie is a beautiful golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the fried pies and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before glazing.

Step 7 – Prepare the Sweet Glaze: While your fried apple pies are cooling slightly, prepare the irresistible glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. The consistency should be thick enough to cling to the pies but still pourable. Add a tiny bit more milk if it’s too thick, or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin, to reach your desired consistency.

Step 8 – Glaze and Serve: Once the pies have cooled for about 10-15 minutes (they should still be warm, not hot, to prevent the glaze from running off completely), it’s time to apply the glaze. You can drizzle the glaze artfully over the fried pies using a spoon, brush it on evenly with a pastry brush, or for a full coating, gently dip each pie into the glaze. Serve these delicious, warm, and glazed fried apple pies immediately for the best experience. The combination of warm apple, crispy crust, and sweet glaze is simply divine!

Expert Tips for Perfect Homemade Fried Apple Pies Every Time

To ensure your homemade fried apple pies turn out perfectly crispy, sweet, and utterly delicious, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Choose Firm, Tart Apples: For the best apples, opt for varieties like Granny Smith or other firm, tart apples. Their acidity beautifully balances the sweetness of the filling, and their robust texture ensures they hold their shape during cooking, preventing a mushy filling.
• Avoid Overfilling the Pies: It can be tempting to load up on the delicious apple filling, but resist the urge to overfill. Too much filling will make it difficult to seal the pies properly, leading to leaks and messy oil during frying. A moderate amount ensures a good crust-to-filling ratio and a clean frying process.
• Seal Edges Thoroughly: A crucial step is to firmly seal the edges of your pies. After folding the biscuit dough, use a fork or your fingertips to crimp the edges tightly. This prevents the filling from escaping into the hot oil and ensures your pies maintain their neat half-moon shape during frying.
• Monitor Oil Temperature Carefully: Frying at the correct temperature is key to a perfectly golden, crispy crust without burning or absorbing too much oil. Aim for a medium heat, around 350°F to 375°F (175°C – 190°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to achieve this precision. If the oil is too cool, the pies will be greasy; too hot, and they’ll burn before cooking through.
• Drain Excess Oil Immediately: As soon as the fried pies come out of the hot oil, place them on a paper towel-lined plate or a wire rack set over paper towels. This crucial step helps absorb any excess oil, ensuring your pies are crispy and not greasy.
• Serve Warm for Optimal Flavor: These delectable pies taste absolutely best when served fresh and warm. The warmth enhances the aroma of the spiced apple filling and highlights the crispness of the crust. Optionally, you can top them with a simple sprinkle of powdered sugar, a delightful cinnamon-sugar mix, or a generous drizzle of the homemade glaze.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment with Fillings: Unleash your creativity! While apple is classic, this recipe is a fantastic base for exploring other fruit fillings like cherry, peach, or blueberry. You can also play with different spice combinations or add-ins like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even a small amount of cream cheese for a richer filling.

Storage Solutions for Your Easy Fried Apple Pies

While these fried apple pies are best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can certainly store them to savor later. Proper storage ensures they remain delicious, even if the crust loses some of its initial crispness.

• Room Temperature Storage: Allow your freshly fried pies to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 day. To refresh them before serving, a brief reheat in the oven or microwave will bring back some warmth, though the crust may not be as crispy as when fresh.
• Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, place the cooled fried apple pies in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2–3 days. When ready to enjoy, warm them slightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes to help restore a bit of crispness and ensure the filling is warm throughout. The microwave can also warm them quickly, but will soften the crust more.
• Freezer Storage: Fried apple pies can be a fantastic make-ahead treat! Once the pies are completely cooled, individually wrap each pie tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. This method provides the best texture for reheated frozen pies.
• Toppings Storage: If you’re using powdered sugar or a glaze, it’s always best to add these toppings just before serving the apple hand pies. Applying them too early, especially before storage, can lead to a sticky, soggy crust or a glaze that melts into the pie over time, compromising the texture and fresh flavor.

By following these storage tips, you can extend the enjoyment of your delicious homemade fried apple pies!

More Easy Pie Recipes to Love

If you’ve enjoyed making these delightful fried apple pies, you’re sure to love exploring other easy and delicious pie recipes. Here are some fantastic options to expand your dessert repertoire:

• Homemade Whoopie Pies Recipe – Soft, cake-like cookies filled with a creamy frosting, these are a fun and easy “pie” in a different form.
• Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe – A rich and decadent twist on a Southern classic, perfect for holidays or any special occasion.
• Apple Crostata Recipe – A more rustic, open-faced apple tart that’s surprisingly simple to make and always impressive.
• Easy Mini Pumpkin Pie Recipe – Individual pumpkin pies that are perfect for portion control and easy serving, especially during festive seasons.
• 30 Best Pie Recipes – A comprehensive collection of delicious pie recipes to satisfy every craving, from fruit to cream to savory options.

We encourage you to try this delicious Fried Apple Pie recipe made easily from Canned Biscuits. Once you do, please come back and leave a comment to share your experience and any creative twists you added!