When you’re craving a sweet treat but want to keep it healthy, try these Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies! They offer the perfect blend of crispy crust and juicy apple filling, all with less oil and fat. A quick and simple recipe that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. Perfect for dessert or a fun snack!
Table of contents
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies Recipe
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are the perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness. If you’re in search of a delectable treat that doesn’t compromise on health, look no further.
Hand pies are all the rage these days, and when you combine them with the efficiency of an air fryer, you’ve got a winning dish.
The air fryer is a versatile kitchen gadget, well-loved for its ability to produce crispy textures without the need for much oil. When it comes to air fryer hand pies, the appliance does wonders. The result is a flaky crust enveloping a juicy, apple-filled center—every bite is a medley of flavors and textures.
The term “apple hand pies” often evokes memories of grandma’s traditional baking, the kind that fills the home with warm, inviting aromas.
The beauty of this hand pies recipe is that it captures the essence of these fond memories but updates it for a modern, health-conscious audience.
What sets these hands pie apple treats apart is the reduced guilt factor. Usually, indulging in a hand pie might seem like a calorie-laden affair, but the air fryer’s magical touch trims down the oil content without sacrificing taste. So you can enjoy these delightful hand pies without any of the associated guilt.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering, looking for a snack, or planning a family movie night, these air fryer apple hand pies fit the bill. They’re not just pies; they’re a celebration of tradition and innovation coming together.
So the next time you’re in the mood for a treat that’s both tasty and healthier, remember to give air fryer hand pies a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Apple Hand Pies: Ingredients & Equipment
To make Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies, you will need …
Ingredients
- unsalted butter – for cooking the apple mixture in. You can also use salted butter but may need to omit the additional salt.
- Granny Smith apples – the best apples to use in this recipe in my opinion. However, you can also use any other baking apple you like.
- dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt – are the spices for the apple mixture. Light brown sugar will also work, but it’s not going to give you the best results. The dark brown sugar has a deeper, more robust flavor.
- cornstarch and cool water – to create a slurry
- premade pie crust – or if you’re up for it, you can use a homemade pie crust.
- egg and sanding sugar – or any large-crystal sugar of your choice. For the outside of your hand pies.
Equipment
- skillet and rubber spatula or other cooking utensil – for cooking the apple mixture.
- small bowl or cup – to mix the cornstarch slurry.
- air fryer – or you can make these in your oven.
- 5 to 6-inch circle cookie or biscuit cutter – to easily form the hand pie shapes.
- rolling pin – to reroll the pie dough.
- pastry brush and small bowl – for the egg wash.
- wire rack – for cooling the pies.
How to make Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Melt butter. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
Cook the apples and spices. Add apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir, cover, and cook until the apples are tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Thicken. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes uncovered, or until slightly thickened.
Add salt and adjust spices, if needed. Stir in the salt. Taste the apple mixture and add more sugar, cinnamon, or salt if desired. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
Cut circles out of the pie crust. Cut the pie crust into 5-6 inch diameter circles. When you run out of room to cut more circles, form the excess dough into a ball and roll it out with a rolling pin to about ⅛-inch thick. Repeat until you run out of dough.
Fill with apple mixture and seal. Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling into the center, being careful not to overfill. Brush a thin layer of the whisked egg along the edges surrounding the filling. Fold the crust in half, line up the edges, and seal with a fork, pressing about ¼-inch from the edge. Repeat until you run out of pie crust or apple filling.
Brush with egg wash and cut slits. Brush the top of each pie with a thin layer of egg wash, cut 2-3 slits into the top with a small knife (or poke with a fork), and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
Fry. Spray your air fryer basket with a nonstick cooking spray and arrange the pies in a single layer. Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the crusts become golden brown. Depending on how large your air fryer is, you may need to do this in batches.
Cool slightly then serve. Remove pies from the air fryer and allow to cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack. Serve as is or with caramel sauce, ice cream, or whipped topping.
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies: FAQs
No, you can use any apple variety you like, though some apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are better suited for baking due to their tartness and firm texture.
Yes, you can! Just make sure to freeze them before you cook them. When you’re ready to eat, you can cook them straight from the freezer; you may just need to adjust the cooking time.
Leftover hand pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
It’s not strictly necessary, but pre-cooking the apple filling can make for a juicier, more flavorful pie.
Certainly! Using homemade pie dough might provide a more homemade flavor.
Absolutely! The air fryer is versatile and can handle various fillings like berries, peaches, or even savory options like meat and vegetables.
Yes! To bake these in the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
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Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups chopped Granny Smith apples about 3 medium-sized apples, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon cool water, to create a slurry
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 package refrigerated premade pie crust 14 oz.
- 1 large egg whisked
- sanding sugar or any large-crystal sugar of your choice
- caramel sauce, ice cream, or whipped topping for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir, cover, and cook until the apples are tender, about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the apple mixture and stir to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes uncovered, or until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the salt. Taste the apple mixture and add more sugar, cinnamon, or salt to taste, if desired. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut the pie crust into 5 to 6-inch diameter circles. When you run out of room to cut more circles, form the excess dough into a ball and roll it out with a rolling pin to about 1/8-inch thick. Repeat until you run out of dough.
- Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the apple filling into the center of each circle, being careful not to overfill. Brush a thin layer of the whisked egg along the edges surrounding the filling. Fold the crust in half, line up the edges, and seal with a fork, pressing about 1/4-inch from the edge. Repeat until you run out of pie crust or apple filling.
- Brush the top of each pie with a thin layer of egg wash, then cut 2-3 slits into the top with a small knife (or poke with a fork), and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
- Spray your air fryer basket with a nonstick cooking spray and arrange the pies in a single layer. Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the crusts become golden brown. Depending on how large your air fryer is, you may need to do this in batches.
- Remove the pies from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack.
- Serve as is or with caramel sauce, ice cream, or whipped topping, if desired.
Notes
- Leftover hand pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Making these ahead for a quick treat and need to freeze them? You can – just make sure to freeze them before you cook them. When you're ready to eat them, you can cook them straight from the freezer; you may just need to adjust the cooking time.
- This recipe is versatile and can handle various fillings like berries, peaches, or even savory options like meat and vegetables.
- To bake these in the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
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