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The Best Homemade Crispy Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Glaze

Two golden brown, flaky fried apple pies resting on a white plate, one cut open to show the apple filling.
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You can make irresistible, old-fashioned fried apple pies at home. These hand pies feature a crispy, golden crust filled with sweet, spiced apples and topped with a simple cinnamon glaze. This recipe delivers comfort food joy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
  • 6 medium apples (a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp works well)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Vegetable oil or shortening, for frying
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pastry: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Divide the dough in half, form each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  2. Make the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly and the mixture thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.
  3. Assemble the Hand Pies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 5 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
  4. Fold and Seal: Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal. Cut two small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape. Place the assembled pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for 15 minutes.
  5. Fry the Pies: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Carefully place 2 or 3 pies into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and crispy.
  6. Drain: Remove the pies with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  7. Make the Glaze: While the pies are cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth.
  8. Glaze and Serve: Dip the tops of the warm fried apple pies into the cinnamon glaze, or drizzle the glaze over them. Let the glaze set slightly before serving. These old fashioned fried pies are best served warm.

Notes

  • For an extra crispy crust, ensure your butter and water are very cold when making the dough.
  • If you prefer a less sweet finish, skip the glaze and dust the warm pies with powdered sugar instead.
  • You can substitute store-bought pie crust for a quicker preparation, but homemade pastry provides the best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/fried-apple-pies-recipe-homemade-crispy/

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