These apple hand pies are the perfect solution if you love the classic taste of apple pie but want something easier to serve and share. With flaky golden crusts and a warm cinnamon-apple filling, these handheld desserts are ideal for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, or anytime you want a quick and easy apple dessert.
Whether you call them mini apple pies, handheld apple pies, or individual apple pies, this recipe delivers all the deliciousness of homemade apple pie in a fun, portable way.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Hand Pies
- Perfect for sharing – no plates, forks, or knives needed.
- Simple ingredients – you only need pie crusts, apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Versatile – bake them in the oven, or try them in the air fryer for a faster option.
- Seasonal favorite – these pocket pies are one of the best fall apple desserts and make an excellent Thanksgiving apple dessert.
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Hand Pies
To make these flaky homemade apple hand pies, you’ll need just a few pantry staples:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (the best apples for hand pies thanks to their tart flavor and firm texture)
- 2 refrigerated pie crust shells (store-bought or homemade flaky pie crust both work)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 squirt lemon juice (helps keep apples fresh and bright)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling over the tops
Step-by-Step: How to Make Apple Hand Pies
1. Make the Apple Pie Filling
Peel, chop, and dice the Granny Smith apples into small, even pieces. Add to a mixing bowl with sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir until the apples are fully coated in the spiced sugar mixture.
(Optional: For extra richness, you can add a little butter or a splash of vanilla extract.)
2. Roll and Cut the Pie Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out the pie crusts until they are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter or the rim of a mug/glass (I used my 32-ounce Yeti tumbler) to cut circles. You should get 18 circles total using this size.
3. Fill and Seal the Hand Pies
Spoon apple filling onto half of the dough circles. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges and seal tightly.
4. Brush with Egg Wash and Sprinkle with Sugar
Beat the egg with a splash of water or milk. Brush the tops of each pie with the egg wash to help them turn golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar for extra sweetness and crunch.
5. Bake Until Golden
Transfer the pies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Sweet Drizzle Frosting for Apple Hand Pies
Want to take your apple hand pies to the next level? Add a simple drizzle frosting over the top once they’ve cooled slightly. This gives your mini pies a bakery-style finish and adds just the right touch of sweetness.
How to Make the Drizzle:
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon water until smooth.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, add a little more powdered sugar. For a thinner drizzle, add a tiny splash of water.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the frosting over the warm pies.
This quick glaze sets beautifully and makes your individual apple pies look (and taste) extra special. It’s also delicious if you’re serving them as air fryer pies or packing them up for a fall gathering.
How to Serve Apple Hand Pies
These mini apple pies are delicious warm or at room temperature. Try serving them:
- À la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- With a dollop of whipped cream
- Drizzled with caramel sauce for the ultimate fall treat
Tips for the Best Apple Hand Pies
- Use the best apples for hand pies – Granny Smith apples hold their shape, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji also work well.
- Seal them well – use egg wash and fork crimping to prevent filling from leaking.
- Bake until golden – don’t remove them too early; the egg wash helps give them that flaky, golden crust.
- Make ahead – assemble and freeze before baking for an easy make-ahead dessert.
Store leftover apple hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results
Air Fryer Pies and Handheld Treats
If you love the idea of a classic hand pie but don’t want to wait for the oven to preheat, try making air fryer pies instead. The air fryer cooks these little desserts quickly while still giving you that golden, flaky crust you’d expect from a bakery.
Making an air fryer hand pie is as simple as placing a few filled pies into the air fryer basket, brushing them with egg wash, and cooking at 350°F until golden. You’ll get perfectly crisp edges, a bubbly apple filling, and a faster turnaround time compared to the oven. This method is especially helpful when you’re making a small batch of hand pies and don’t want to heat up the whole kitchen.
Variations and FAQs
Can I make air fryer apple hand pies?
Yes! Place pies in the basket of an air fryer and cook at 350°F until golden brown.
What are the best apples for mini hand pies?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Braeburn apples are all excellent baking apples.
Can I freeze apple hand pies?
Yes, freeze before baking for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
What do apple hand pies pair well with?
They’re delicious plain, but even better with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
Can you make a hand pie savory with this recipe?
Absolutely! Hand pies, and this recipe for apple pie hand pies are incredibly versatile. You can easily make a savory version by swapping out the apple filling for cooked ground meat, shredded chicken, or finely diced vegetables mixed with a savory sauce or gravy. Think of a mini pot pie or a Cornish pasty!
More Fall Dessert Ideas
- Concord Grape Pie
- Pizza Ranch Dessert Pizza Recipe Blueberry Pie Copycat
- Monkey Bread With One Can of Biscuits
- Canned Biscuit Cream Cheese Danishes
- Canned Biscuit Cinnamon Roll Recipe
These apple hand pies are the ultimate handheld dessert. With a flaky, golden crust and sweet cinnamon-apple filling, they’re just as cozy as a traditional apple pie but so much easier to serve.
Whether you’re making them for a fall dessert, Thanksgiving gathering, or a quick apple treat, these mini pies will quickly become a family favorite.
Apple Hand Pies
Apple hand pies are the perfect fall dessert—easy mini pies with flaky crust, cinnamon apple filling, and oven or air fryer hand pie options.
Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, chopped, and diced
- 2 refrigerated pie crust shells
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 squirt lemon juice
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Roll out pie crusts to 1/4–1/8 inch thick.
Cut into 4-inch circles (18 total). Spoon apple filling onto half of the circles. Fold over, press edges, and crimp with a fork.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For Larger Pies: Cut the circles larger and fill with more of the apple mixture for bigger pies.
Best apples for hand pies: Granny Smith hold their shape, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji are also great choices.
Seal tightly: Brush edges with egg wash and crimp with a fork to keep the filling inside.
Bake until golden: Leave pies in long enough for a flaky, golden brown crust.
Make ahead option: Assemble pies and freeze unbaked for a convenient dessert later.
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