Experience the comforting flavors of autumn any time of the year with these incredibly simple, utterly delicious, and quick-to-prepare Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies. Crafted with just a handful of ingredients, each bite delivers a burst of warm, spiced apple goodness, perfectly encased in a golden, flaky crust. It’s the ultimate fall treat, made effortless!
Indulge in a Delectable Air Fryer Apple Dessert: Your New Fall Favorite
As the leaves begin to change and a crisp coolness fills the air, my kitchen transforms into a haven for all things fall. This time of year invariably calls for cozy, spiced desserts, and what could be better than fresh apples? Luckily, my backyard boasts a thriving green apple tree that’s finally overflowing with fruit. Naturally, I’m always on the hunt for innovative and delightful ways to use this bounty. These Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies have quickly risen to the top of my list, becoming an absolute seasonal obsession. The best part? No need to heat up the entire house by turning on the oven! These charming little hand pies are generously filled with a sweet and tangy homemade apple mixture, then beautifully finished with a simple yet irresistible cinnamon powdered sugar glaze, making them truly irresistible for any autumn gathering or a quiet evening in.
Why the Air Fryer is Perfect for These Apple Hand Pies
Opting for an air fryer to create these delightful apple hand pies isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s a game-changer for achieving that perfect texture and flavor with minimal fuss. The air fryer circulates hot air rapidly, creating an incredibly crispy and golden-brown crust that rivals deep-frying, but with a fraction of the oil. This means you get all the satisfying crunch without the extra grease or the need for an elaborate setup. Furthermore, the contained cooking environment ensures that the pies cook evenly and quickly, significantly reducing the baking time compared to a traditional oven. In less than 15 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a gourmet-like dessert. For those who live in warmer climates or simply want to avoid heating their entire kitchen, the air fryer offers a fantastic solution. It’s efficient, easy to clean, and consistently delivers outstanding results, making it the ideal appliance for whipping up individual portions of these sweet, portable apple treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this Air Fryer Apple Hand Pie recipe, I highly recommend using firm, tart apples that hold their shape well during cooking. Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice due to their crisp texture and bright, tart flavor, which perfectly balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Golden Delicious apples also perform wonderfully, offering a slightly sweeter profile with a soft yet not mushy consistency when baked. Avoid overly soft or mealy apple varieties, as they tend to break down too much and can result in a watery filling.
I typically use a 5.8-quart air fryer for this recipe, which allows for cooking a decent batch at a time. However, the specific size of your air fryer isn’t critical. Whether you have a smaller 3-quart model or a larger 7-quart capacity, you will likely need to cook these hand pies in batches. The key is to ensure that you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, allowing enough space for the hot air to circulate freely around each pie for optimal crisping and even cooking. Overcrowding can lead to soggy results.
Through my testing, I’ve found that 360°F (approximately 180°C) is the ideal temperature for achieving a beautifully golden and cooked-through hand pie. There’s no need to preheat your air fryer for this recipe, which saves you a few extra minutes and simplifies the process. Simply place the pies in the basket once it’s ready.
Absolutely! While refrigerated pie crusts offer fantastic convenience, if you prefer a homemade touch, you are more than welcome to use your favorite pie crust recipe. Just ensure that your homemade dough is rolled out to a consistent thickness and is sturdy enough to hold the apple filling without tearing during assembly and cooking. The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability to suit your preferences.
These delicious hand pies will generally cook for approximately 8-10 minutes in total. However, it’s very important to remember that cooking times can vary slightly depending on the specific brand and model of your air fryer. Some might run hotter or cooler than others. For best results, keep a close eye on your hand pies as they are baking, especially during the last few minutes, to ensure they reach a perfect golden-brown color without burning.
Creating small slits or an ‘X’ on the top of each hand pie is a crucial step to prevent them from bursting open during cooking. As the apple filling heats up, it releases steam. These vents provide an escape route for that steam, allowing the pies to cook properly and retain their beautiful shape. Without them, the pressure could build up, causing the pastry to crack or the filling to spill out, which would be a sticky mess and affect the aesthetic of your delicious dessert. A few simple slits are all you need!
Yes, absolutely! If you’re looking to save even more time, this recipe works beautifully with your favorite store-bought canned apple pie filling. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid if the filling seems too watery to ensure a firm pie filling that won’t make your crust soggy. This is a great shortcut for busy days when you crave a homemade taste without all the prep work.
Leftover Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh and delicious for 2-4 days. For longer storage, these hand pies freeze exceptionally well. Simply place the cooled pies in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, ensuring they are separated by parchment paper if stacking, and they will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, transfer them to the refrigerator overnight, then allow them to come to room temperature on the countertop before serving. For a warm treat, you can gently reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Ingredients Needed for Irresistible Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Crafting these delectable apple hand pies requires a careful selection of ingredients that blend harmoniously to create that iconic fall flavor. From the crispness of the green apples to the warmth of cinnamon, each component plays a vital role. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather to bring this recipe to life:
- **Green Apples (Granny Smith recommended):** The star of our show, providing a perfect balance of tartness and firm texture that holds up beautifully when cooked.
- **Light Brown Sugar:** Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling, complementing the tartness of the apples.
- **Salted Butter:** Essential for a rich, flavorful filling. The salt helps to enhance the overall taste.
- **Lemon Juice:** A touch of lemon juice brightens the apple flavor and prevents the apples from browning.
- **Ground Cinnamon:** The quintessential fall spice, infusing the filling and glaze with warmth and aromatic appeal.
- **Refrigerated Pie Crust:** For ultimate convenience and consistently flaky results. You’ll typically find two crusts per package.
- **Large Egg:** Used for an egg wash, which gives the pies a beautiful golden sheen and helps seal the edges.
- **Powdered Sugar:** The base for our simple yet decadent cinnamon glaze, providing a smooth, sweet finish.
- **Milk:** Used in both the egg wash and the glaze, adding moisture and helping achieve the right consistency.
- **Olive Oil Cooking Spray:** Crucial for preventing sticking in the air fryer basket without leaving a sticky residue, unlike some other sprays.
Ensure all your ingredients are fresh and measured accurately to guarantee the best possible outcome for your homemade apple hand pies. Having everything ready before you start will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
How to Craft Your Own Delicious Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Making these Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to create a batch of perfectly flaky, apple-filled delights that everyone will adore. Precision and patience are key, especially when handling the dough and filling.
Preparing the Flavorful Apple Filling
Begin by combining your peeled, cored, and diced green apples with light brown sugar, salted butter, fresh lemon juice, and ground cinnamon in a medium-sized saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure the apples soften evenly and the sauce thickens to a lovely consistency. This careful simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Once the filling is cooked to perfection, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool completely. A cooled filling is crucial to prevent the pie crust from becoming soggy.
Crafting the Egg Wash and Cinnamon Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg with 1 tablespoon of milk until well combined. This mixture will serve as your egg wash, giving the pies a beautiful golden-brown finish and helping to seal the edges. Set this aside. In a separate, clean bowl, prepare your irresistible glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and the remaining milk until smooth and free of lumps. Adjust the milk gradually to achieve a pourable but not too thin consistency. This glaze will add the perfect finishing touch to your cooled hand pies.
Assembling Your Hand Pies
Carefully unroll your refrigerated pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface. Using a 4-inch round cutter, a small bowl, or even a large glass as a guide, cut out circles from the pastry. Don’t discard the pastry scraps! Gather them, gently re-roll them with a rolling pin, and cut out additional circles until all the dough is used. Take one heaping tablespoon of the now-cooled apple pie filling and place it precisely in the center of each pastry circle. Avoid overfilling, as this can make sealing difficult.
Next, lightly brush some of the prepared egg wash around the inner edges of each pie crust circle. This acts as a ‘glue’ and helps create a strong seal. Carefully fold one side of the pastry over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to crimp and seal the edges completely, giving them a charming, decorative finish. Finally, using a sharp knife, make a small slit or an ‘X’ shape in the top center of each hand pie. This venting is essential for steam to escape during cooking, preventing the pies from bursting and ensuring a perfect crust.
Air Frying for Golden Perfection
Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. I specifically recommend olive oil spray as it tends not to build up and gum up the basket, making cleanup much easier. Arrange several hand pies in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow for proper air circulation. Lightly brush the top of each hand pie with the remaining beaten egg wash for that beautiful golden finish. Close the air fryer and cook at 360°F (180°C) on the air fry setting for 5 minutes.
After the initial 5 minutes, carefully flip the hand pies to ensure even browning. Continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the apple hand pies are gloriously golden brown and cooked through, with a visibly crispy crust. Once cooked, transfer the hot hand pies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat this process with the remaining uncooked pies, working in batches until all are done. Cooling on a wire rack allows air to circulate underneath, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
The Final Flourish: Glazing and Serving
Once your apple hand pies have cooled completely on the wire rack, it’s time for the final, delicious touch. Generously drizzle or brush the prepared cinnamon powdered sugar glaze across the tops of each hand pie. The cooled surface will allow the glaze to set beautifully. Allow the glaze to firm up for a few minutes before serving. This ensures a clean, non-sticky finish. These Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are best enjoyed fresh, but as mentioned, they store well too. Enjoy every warm, crispy, apple-filled bite!
Crave More Delicious Recipes?
If you’ve fallen in love with these Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of delightful recipes perfect for any craving. Explore more hand pie variations, classic apple desserts, and other comforting treats that will surely become new favorites in your kitchen. From flaky crusts to fruity fillings, our collection has something for everyone who loves sweet, homemade goodness.
- Air Fryer Blueberry Hand Pies
- Brown Sugar Pop Tarts
- Mini Cherry Cheesecake Pies
- Christmas Tree Hand Pies
- Pumpkin Hand Pies
- Apple Slab Pie
- Fried Apple Pies
- Puff Pastry Apple Pies
- Apple Dumplings
- Fried Apples
- Apple Turnovers
- 40 Fall Apple Recipes
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
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Pin
Rate
10 minutes
12 minutes
22 minutes
12
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
For the Filling:
-
2
medium green apples,
peeled, cored and diced -
¾
cup
light brown sugar,
packed -
3
Tablespoons
salted butter -
1
Tablespoon
lemon juice
-
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
For the Hand Pies & Glaze:
-
1
package refrigerated pie crusts
(2 crusts per box) -
1
large
egg,
beaten -
1 ½
cups
powdered sugar
-
2
Tablespoons
milk,
divided use (1 tbsp for egg wash, 1 tbsp for glaze) -
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
(for glaze) -
olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- **Prepare the Apple Filling:** In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the diced green apples, light brown sugar, salted butter, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- **Cook the Filling:** Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the apple mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
- **Make the Egg Wash:** In a small bowl, beat the large egg with 1 tablespoon of milk. Set aside.
- **Prepare the Glaze:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk until a smooth glaze forms. Set aside.
- **Cut Pie Crust Circles:** Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts. Using a 4-inch round cutter (or a small bowl/large glass as a guide), cut out circles from the pastry. Gather any scraps, re-roll them, and cut out more circles until all dough is used.
- **Fill the Pies:** Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of the cooled apple pie filling into the center of each pastry circle. Do not overfill.
- **Seal and Vent:** Brush some of the egg wash around the inside edge of each pie crust circle. Fold the pastry over to create a half-moon shape. Seal the pastry by crimping the edges firmly with a fork or your fingers. Use a knife to cut a small slit or an ‘X’ into the top center of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.
- **Air Fry First Side:** Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, place several hand pies in the air fryer. Lightly brush the top of each hand pie with the beaten egg wash. Cook at 360°F (180°C) on the air fry setting for 5 minutes.
- **Air Fry Second Side:** Carefully flip the hand pies. Continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the apple hand pies are golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely and repeat with any remaining pies.
- **Glaze and Serve:** Once the pies have completely cooled, drizzle or brush the prepared cinnamon powdered sugar glaze generously across the outside of the hand pies. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies!
Video
Notes
- Using olive oil cooking spray is recommended as it helps prevent residue buildup in your air fryer basket, unlike some other cooking sprays.
- Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and ability to hold shape, but Golden Delicious also work well.
- For a quick shortcut, you can easily use your favorite store-bought canned apple pie filling. Just remember to drain any excess liquid if it appears too thin.
- Feel free to substitute the refrigerated pie crust with your favorite homemade pie crust recipe for an extra personal touch.
- This recipe is easy to double if you’re serving a larger crowd or want to have extra hand pies on hand.
- These hand pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. See the FAQ section above for detailed freezing and defrosting instructions.
Dessert
American
Nutrition
Calories:
289
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
47
g
|
Protein:
2
g
|
Fat:
11
g
|
Sodium:
127
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
31
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that “The Country Cook” is not a certified dietician or nutritionist. Any nutritional information provided is an estimated value based on the ingredients used. If precise calorie counts and other nutritional values are important for your dietary needs, we recommend independently running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary significantly depending on the specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients utilized.
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