Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies: The Ultimate Guide to Crispy, Gooey Perfection
Craving a delightful dessert that’s both comforting and convenient? Look no further than Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies! These individual pastries boast a lusciously gooey apple filling encased in a wonderfully crispy, flaky crust. They deliver all the satisfying flavors of a classic apple pie in a portable, easy-to-eat format. Best of all, this incredible treat comes together quickly with just a few pantry staples, making it perfect for last-minute cravings or a speedy family dessert.
This classic American dessert brings comforting flavors right to your fingertips, transforming a traditional pie into a delightful individual serving. Preparing these hand pies in your air fryer means they are ready in minutes with minimal effort. You have the flexibility to choose your favorite type of apple filling, whether you prefer the convenience of store-bought or the homemade goodness of following an Air Fryer Apples recipe. Whichever you choose, the results are guaranteed to be delicious.
If you’re a fan of fruit-filled pastries, you might also enjoy exploring other delightful air fryer recipes like these Air Fryer Blueberry Hand Pies or the equally satisfying Air Fryer Apple Turnovers. For more seasonal inspiration, don’t miss our comprehensive guide: 15 Fall Desserts to Make in the Air Fryer.
Why Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are a Must-Try
Making individual apple hand pies in the air fryer is a revelation in dessert making. It’s incredibly quick, straightforward, and produces a pastry that truly hits the mark. Each pie boasts the perfect ratio of sweet, spiced apple filling to golden, flaky crust, ensuring every bite is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. You’ll find that these hand pies are so irresistibly good, everyone who tastes them will be eager for the recipe or asking when you’ll be making them again!
Apple hand pies are not just a dessert; they are a wonderfully portable snack, a perfect breakfast treat, or a delightful accompaniment to a cup of coffee. Designed to be held comfortably in the palm of your hand, they are ideal for taking to your child’s sporting events, sharing at a potluck or block party, or simply enjoying as a quick, yummy indulgence any time of the day. Their grab-and-go nature makes them a fantastic alternative to larger, more cumbersome desserts, offering convenience without compromising on taste.
Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Hand Pies
One of the best aspects of these Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies is that they require minimal ingredients, most of which you likely already have on hand. The magic happens when these simple components come together to create something truly special.
- Refrigerated Pie Crust: This is your secret weapon for speed and convenience. Opt for a good quality refrigerated pie crust for the best flaky results. While homemade crust is always an option for those with more time, the pre-made variety makes this recipe a breeze.
- Apple Pie Filling: You have a couple of fantastic choices here. You can use a canned filling, such as Comstock Pie Filling, for ultimate ease. Alternatively, for a fresh and customizable flavor, prepare your own using a recipe like our Air Fryer Apples. If making homemade, consider using apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji for a balance of sweetness and tartness that holds up well during cooking.
For the Perfect Golden Finish: Egg Wash Mixture
An egg wash is crucial for achieving that beautiful golden-brown color and slightly glossy finish on your hand pies. It also helps the cinnamon sugar topping adhere beautifully.
- Egg: One large egg is all you need.
- Milk: A tablespoon of milk (any kind works, including sweetened condensed milk for extra richness as per the original recipe) helps to thin the egg and create an even wash.
Sweet & Spiced Topping
This simple topping adds a delightful crunch and classic apple pie flavor to the crust.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and a caramelized texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, adding warmth and aroma. You can also experiment with a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra depth.
Mastering Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps to create delicious, perfectly cooked apple hand pies in your air fryer. The process is designed for efficiency, ensuring you get maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
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Prepare the Pie Crust: Carefully remove the refrigerated pie crust from its package. Unroll it onto a clean, flat surface, such as a large cutting board or a lightly floured kitchen counter. Ensure the surface is cool to prevent the dough from sticking.
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Cut the Dough Circles: Using a 6-inch pastry cutter, a sharp paring knife, or even the rim of a drinking glass, cut the pie crust into small, uniform circles. You’ll likely get a few circles from one crust. Gather any scraps of dough, gently reroll them into a flat layer with a rolling pin, and cut additional circles until all the crust is utilized. This maximizes your yield and reduces waste.
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Fill and Seal the Pies: Place each 6-inch dough circle onto a lightly floured baking sheet or counter. Spoon approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of apple pie filling onto the center of one half of each crust circle, leaving a clear border around the edges. This space is essential for sealing. Once all circles are filled, gently fold the empty half of the crust over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Use your fingers to pinch the edges together firmly, or press down with the tines of a fork to create a decorative, secure seal, preventing the filling from leaking out during cooking.
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Prepare Egg Wash and Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk thoroughly to create your egg wash. In a separate small dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This will be sprinkled on top for a sweet, spiced crust.
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Apply Egg Wash and Topping: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the egg wash mixture over the entire top surface of each hand pie. This helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and allows the topping to adhere. Immediately after, sprinkle the combined sugar and cinnamon generously over the egg-washed pies. If you prefer, you can use just coarse sugar for a simpler, sparkly finish. Don’t forget to cut a few small vents in the top of each pie with a knife; this allows steam to escape, preventing the pies from bursting and ensuring a perfectly crispy crust.
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Air Fry the Hand Pies: Prepare your air fryer basket by spraying it with nonstick spray or lining it with air fryer parchment paper liners to prevent sticking. Place the prepared hand pies in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking. Air fry at 380 degrees F (195°C) for approximately 6 minutes, flipping the pies halfway through the cooking process (around the 3-minute mark) to ensure both sides are golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and wattage, so keep an eye on them.
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Cool and Serve: Once cooked to a perfect golden brown, carefully remove the hand pies from the air fryer basket. Let them rest for a few minutes on a wire baking rack to cool slightly and allow the filling to set. These hand pies are delicious served hot, warm, or at room temperature. For an extra treat, consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!
I typically make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. It’s important to remember that cooking times can vary by a couple of minutes depending on the size, brand, and wattage of your specific air fryer model. Always keep an eye on your pies during the last few minutes of cooking to ensure they reach that perfect golden hue without burning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About Apple Hand Pies
Beyond a pastry cutter, a circular biscuit cutter works wonderfully for creating perfectly shaped hand pies. Don’t be afraid to get creative with various sizes of cookie cutters to create different shapes and designs, adding a fun touch to your pastries. For a simple and readily available option, you can always use the outer edge of a drinking glass or a mason jar lid to cut your dough circles.
Absolutely! Leftover hand pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and restore their crispy texture, place them back in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through and the crust is crisp again. For longer storage, pies can be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, arrange cooked and cooled pies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
The beauty of hand-held pies is their convenience – no plates required! However, if you’re looking to elevate the experience, consider breaking them up and topping scoops of rich vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent dessert. You can also arrange them on a nice platter and offer various toppings like a warm chocolate sauce, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a sprinkle of candied nut mixture for an extra special presentation.
Yes, absolutely! Puff pastry is an excellent substitute for traditional pie crust and will yield an even flakier, lighter hand pie. The cooking time might vary slightly, so keep a close eye on them, but generally, they will cook around the same temperature and time, perhaps a minute or two less depending on thickness. Ensure your puff pastry is thawed but still cold before working with it.
For a homemade apple pie filling, varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn are highly recommended. Granny Smith offers a tartness that balances sweetness, while Honeycrisp and Fuji provide a lovely sweet-tart flavor and retain their texture well. Using a blend of two or three different apple types can create a more complex and flavorful filling. Avoid apples that become too mushy when cooked, like Red Delicious.
If you’ve enjoyed making these delightful hand pies, you’ll be thrilled to discover this great list of 12 Air Fryer Apple Recipes you absolutely need to make. Expand your air fryer repertoire with even more apple goodness!
MORE AIR FRYER APPLE RECIPES TO EXPLORE:
The air fryer is a versatile tool for creating a variety of apple-based treats. Here are some more delicious ideas:
- Air Fryer Apple Chips: A healthy, crispy snack.
- Air Fryer Baked Apples: A simple, comforting classic.
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs: Bite-sized bursts of apple pie flavor.
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp: A warm, spiced dessert with a crumbly topping.
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters: Light, fluffy, and full of apple goodness.
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Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Equipment
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1 Air Fryer
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Pastry cutter or round cookie cutter (approx. 6 inches)
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Rolling pin
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Small mixing bowls
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Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust, refrigerated or homemade
- 1 1/2 cups apple pie filling
Egg Wash Mixture
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk (or sweetened condensed milk for richness)
Topping
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Remove pie crust from the package. Unroll it onto a flat surface, such as a larger cutting board or clean kitchen counter.
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Using a pastry cutter or sharp paring knife, cut the crust into small circles, about 6 inches in size. Then reroll the scraps of pie crust into a flat layer using a rolling pin and cut additional circles until all of the crust is used.
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Place each 6-inch circle on a baking sheet. Spoon apple pie filling onto the center of one side of each crust circle (leaving space for edges). Once they are all filled, fold the crust over and pinch or use a fork to seal edges.
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In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk to make the egg wash. Then in another small dish, combine the sugar and ground cinnamon together. Brush pies with egg wash mixture onto the top of each pie and then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, or just coarse sugar.
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Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray or line with air fryer parchment paper liners. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 6 minutes, turning pies halfway through cooking process.
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Let them rest for a few minutes on a baking rack and then serve hot, warm or room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.