These crispy, golden fried apple pies are filled with warm cinnamon apples and wrapped in flaky pastry that shatters when you bite in. I first made these on a chilly October afternoon when Liam asked if we could make "the kind from the drive-thru but better," and honestly, he was right. They're surprisingly easy to pull together with simple ingredients you probably already have, and the smell alone will have everyone hovering around the kitchen.
If you love cozy apple desserts, you'll also want to try these Apple Cheesecake Buns or this comforting Greek Honey Pie for your next gathering.
What Makes These Fried Apple Pies Special
There's a reason fried apple pies have been a beloved treat for generations. Unlike baked versions, these homemade pies develop an irresistibly crisp, golden shell that gives way to a tender, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. The pastry stays flaky and light, never greasy, and the apples cook down into a naturally sweet filling that tastes like fall in every bite.
What I love most is how forgiving this recipe is. The dough comes together quickly, the filling is flexible (sweeten it to your taste), and frying them takes just minutes. You end up with a deep-fried apple dessert that rivals anything you'd find at a bakery or fair, but you made it yourself.
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Fried Apple Pies Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make these delicious fried apple pies.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Pastry:
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the pastry dough and creates that tender, flaky texture when mixed properly. Sifting it helps keep the dough light.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the pastry and balances the sweetness of the filling.
- Shortening or butter, chilled: Creates the flaky layers in the dough. Cold fat is key to a tender crust, so keep it chilled until you're ready to use it.
- Cold water: Brings the dough together without making it tough. Add it gradually so you don't overwork the mixture.
Apple Filling:
- Apples (peeled, cored, and diced): The star of the filling. They cook down into a soft, naturally sweet mixture that tastes like homemade applesauce. Use any variety you like, though Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work beautifully.
- White sugar: Sweetens the apples and helps them break down as they cook. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet your apples are.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and that classic apple cinnamon pie flavor. Start with a small amount and add more if you want it spicier.
- Oil for frying: You'll need enough to allow the pies to float and cook evenly. Vegetable or canola oil works best because of their high smoke points.
How to Make Fried Apple Pies
A simple, step-by-step guide to making these golden, crispy Fried Apple Pies.
Make the pastry: Sift the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the chilled shortening or butter using two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until the dough just comes together when squeezed. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let it rest and firm up.
Prepare the apple filling: Place the diced apples in a saucepan. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle over the apples and toss to coat. Cover and cook over low heat until the apples soften completely, about 8 to 10 minutes. Mash them with a fork to create a thick, chunky applesauce. Set aside to cool while you work with the dough.
Assemble the pies: Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thick. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter to cut out eight circles. Place one heaping tablespoon of the cooled apple filling in the center of each round. Lightly moisten the edges with cold water, fold the dough in half to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Fry the pies: Heat the oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Carefully lower 2 to 3 pies into the hot oil at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn deep golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil. Repeat with the remaining pies.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the fried apple pies warm, while the crust is still crispy and the filling is soft and fragrant. They're perfect on their own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Equipment For Fried Apple Pies
- Large mixing bowl - For making the pastry dough.
- Pastry blender or two knives - To cut the cold fat into the flour.
- Large cookie cutter (4-inch) - For cutting uniform pastry rounds.
- Deep fryer or large saucepan - To fry the pies evenly and safely.
- Paper towel-lined plate - For draining the pies after frying.
- Plastic wrap - To wrap and chill the dough.
Substitutions and Variations
Use puff pastry - If you're short on time, store-bought puff pastry makes a buttery, flaky alternative to homemade dough. Just thaw it, cut circles, and fill.
Try different fruits - Peaches, pears, or even berries work beautifully in place of apples. Adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness of your fruit.
Bake instead of fry - For a lighter version, brush the assembled Fried Apple Pies with egg wash and bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes until golden. They won't be quite as crispy, but they're still delicious.
Add spices - A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger adds extra warmth to the filling.
Make them mini - Use a smaller cutter (2 to 3 inches) and reduce the frying time slightly for bite-sized treats.
Storage Tips For Fried Apple Pies
Room temperature: Store cooled fried apple pies in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They'll lose some crispness but still taste great.
Refrigerator: Keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to crisp them back up.
Freezer: Freeze the fried pies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
Prevent sogginess: Let the pies cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Storing them while warm traps moisture and makes the crust soft.
Serving Suggestions
With vanilla ice cream - A scoop of cold ice cream melting over a warm pie is pure comfort. The contrast in temperature and texture is unbeatable.
Drizzled with caramel - Warm caramel sauce adds a rich, sweet touch that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon apples. If you love caramel and apple together, check out these No Bake Superfood Brownies for another indulgent treat.
Dusted with powdered sugar - A light dusting makes them look bakery-perfect and adds a touch of extra sweetness.
With a hot drink - Serve alongside coffee, tea, or hot cider for a cozy afternoon snack. These also pair wonderfully with the flavors in Cheese Heart Danishes if you're putting together a brunch spread.
Expert Tips
Keep the dough cold - Cold fat creates flaky layers, so work quickly and don't let the dough sit out too long before frying.
Don't overfill - A heaping tablespoon of filling is plenty. Too much and the pies will burst open during frying.
Seal the edges well - Press firmly with a fork to make sure the edges are completely sealed. Any gaps will let the filling leak out.
Monitor the oil temperature - If the oil is too hot, the Fried Apple Pies will brown too quickly and stay raw inside. If it's too cool, they'll absorb too much oil and turn greasy. A thermometer helps keep things consistent.
Let them drain properly - Give the pies a minute or two on paper towels to shed excess oil before serving.
Serve warm - These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, when the crust is at its crispiest and the filling is soft and fragrant.
FAQ
Why did McDonald's stop frying apple pies?
McDonald's switched to baked Fried Apple Pies in the 1990s for health reasons and to reduce fat content. The fried version was crispier and had a cult following, but the baked version aligned better with changing nutritional guidelines. Some international locations still serve fried versions, though.
Do you fry apple pie?
Yes, frying apple pies creates a crispy, golden crust that you can't achieve by baking. The high heat seals the pastry quickly and gives it a light, flaky texture. It's a traditional method used in many Southern and rural kitchens.
Are McDonald's apple pies fried in the UK?
No, McDonald's in the UK serves baked Fried Apple Pies, just like in the United States. The switch happened around the same time globally, though some countries in Asia and Latin America still offer fried versions.
How to keep fried pies from getting soggy overnight?
Let the pies cool completely on a wire rack before storing them. This allows steam to escape instead of getting trapped. Store them in a container lined with paper towels to absorb any moisture, and reheat them in the oven (not the microwave) to restore crispness.
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Pairing
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Fried Apple Pies
Ingredients
Method
- Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.
- Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until the mixture begins to form a dough. Once it can hold together when pressed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook over low heat, covered, until the apples soften. Mash with a fork until the mixture reaches a thick applesauce consistency. Set aside to cool.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness and cut into 4-inch rounds using a cookie cutter.
- Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the apple filling onto the center of each dough round. Moisten the edges with water, fold in half, and press the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Fry the pies in batches, turning them until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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