Easy Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies: Quick, Flaky, and Perfectly Portioned Dessert
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert, transforming the comforting flavors of traditional apple pie into convenient, single-serving portions. These golden, flaky pastries, bursting with a sweet cinnamon apple filling, are the ideal treat after a long day. Best of all, they come together in minutes with the magic of your air fryer, making them a perfect solution for a quick and satisfying dessert without heating up your entire kitchen.
Imagine biting into a warm, tender crust that gives way to a gooey, spiced apple filling – all contained in a neat, handheld package. That’s exactly what these air fryer apple hand pies deliver. They are incredibly versatile and can be customized with various pie fillings, ensuring there’s a flavor for everyone in the family, even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re craving a taste of fall or just a simple, delicious dessert, these hand pies are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe streamlines the baking process by utilizing pre-made refrigerated pie crust and canned pie filling. This means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious creation. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when a sudden dessert craving strikes.
- Perfectly Portioned: Forget the hassle of slicing a whole pie! These hand pies are designed for individual enjoyment, making them ideal for snacks, lunchbox treats, or serving at gatherings. Each pie is a satisfying single serving, which also helps with portion control.
- Air Fryer Convenience: Cooking in the air fryer means you don’t need to turn on your conventional oven, keeping your kitchen cooler, especially during warmer months. The air fryer circulates hot air, ensuring a perfectly crispy crust and evenly cooked filling in a fraction of the time.
- Easy to Customize: While apple is a timeless classic, the possibilities for customization are endless. Easily swap out the apple filling for cherry, blueberry, peach, or even a mix of berries to suit your preference. You can also experiment with different spices or glazes to add your unique touch.
Ingredients Needed for Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies:
- Refrigerated Pie Crust (typically comes in a pack of two 9-inch crusts)
- Canned Apple Pie Filling (a standard 21 oz can is usually sufficient for 4 hand pies)
- Ground Cinnamon
- Eggs (for an egg wash to achieve a golden, flaky crust)
- Granulated Sugar
- Powdered Sugar (optional, for dusting or making a simple glaze)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Roll out the refrigerated pie crusts and cut each into two equal halves. With two crusts, you will get four pieces that will form the base of your hand pies.
- On two of the crust halves, spoon a generous amount of apple pie filling, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
- Take the remaining two crust halves (without filling) and gently place them over the filled halves. Align the edges and press them firmly together using the tines of a fork to create a decorative and secure seal.
- Repeat this process for all remaining pie crust pieces to form a total of four handheld pies.
- Lightly coat the basket or tray of your air fryer with olive oil spray, coconut oil spray, or a similar cooking spray. Carefully place the prepared hand pies inside, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- In a small bowl, whisk two eggs to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of each pie generously with the beaten egg mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, combine equal parts ground cinnamon and granulated sugar (about a tablespoon of each should be enough). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the egg-washed pies for a beautiful golden finish and extra flavor.
- Air fry the pies at 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 8 minutes. For even cooking and browning, it is highly recommended to carefully flip the pies halfway through, around the 4-minute mark.
- Serve your hot and delicious apple hand pies immediately, optionally topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped topping, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Apple Pies: A Detailed Guide
Crafting these delectable air fryer apple hand pies is surprisingly simple, especially with the right approach. The key to success lies in understanding the interplay of ingredients and the unique cooking method of the air fryer. This recipe is designed to yield four perfectly golden, flaky pies, making it an ideal choice for a small family or a cozy dessert for two with leftovers.
We start with convenience in mind, utilizing store-bought refrigerated pie crusts. A standard box usually contains two crusts, and you’ll want to use both to create four individual hand pies. This saves a significant amount of time compared to making crust from scratch, allowing you to get to the delicious part even faster.
Once you’ve unrolled your pie crusts, the first practical step is to divide each 9-inch crust into two equal parts. This can be done by simply cutting them in half, creating semi-circular shapes. With two crusts, you’ll have a total of four such pieces. These pieces will serve as the base for your hand pies. After cutting, you’ll place the apple pie filling onto one half of each piece, leaving a generous border of about a half-inch to ensure a good seal.
The next crucial step is sealing the pies. Take the other half of the pie crust (the one without filling) and gently place it over the filling, aligning the edges as best as you can. This forms the top layer of your hand pie. To create a secure and visually appealing seal, use the tines of a fork to press firmly around the entire edge of the pie. This not only prevents the filling from leaking out during cooking but also creates a beautiful crimped pattern. You can also lightly pierce the top crust a couple of times with a knife to allow steam to escape, preventing the pies from puffing up excessively.
For that irresistible golden-brown crust and extra crunch, an egg wash is essential. Whisk two eggs thoroughly in a small bowl until well combined. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the entire top surface of each hand pie with this beaten egg mixture. Immediately after the egg wash, sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon sugar evenly over the pies. The egg wash acts as a glue, allowing the cinnamon sugar to adhere beautifully and caramelize during air frying, giving your hand pies an appealing glisten and delightful flavor.
Finally, prepare your air fryer. Lightly spray the basket or trays with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the prepared hand pies into the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in two batches. Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for a total of 8 minutes. Crucially, flip the pies gently after 4 minutes to ensure even browning and crispiness on both sides. Once done, the crust should be deeply golden, and the filling should be bubbling slightly.
Quick Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Apple Pies:
- Choose Your Filling Wisely: Whether you opt for convenient canned apple pie filling or a homemade apple pie filling, ensure it’s not overly watery, as this can make the crust soggy. If using homemade, let it cool slightly before adding to the crust.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling your pies can lead to leaks and a messy air fryer. Stick to a moderate amount of filling to ensure a good seal and prevent bursting.
- Vent the Pies: Make a few small slits on the top crust of each pie with a sharp knife before air frying. This allows steam to escape, preventing the pies from becoming too puffy or exploding, and ensures a crispier crust.
- Consider a Glaze or Sauce: Elevate your hand pies with a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a touch of milk or water), a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce, or even a cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent touch.
- Serve Warm for Best Results: While delicious at any temperature, these hand pies are truly at their best when served warm, allowing the filling to remain gooey and the crust delightfully crisp.
- Batch Cooking: If your air fryer is small, cook the hand pies in batches to avoid overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
Customization Ideas for Your Air Fryer Hand Pies:
One of the joys of making hand pies is their incredible versatility. While apple pie is a timeless classic, don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings and toppings to match your cravings or the season.
- Other Fruit Fillings: Easily swap out the apple for canned cherry pie filling, blueberry, peach, or mixed berry fillings. For a tropical twist, try pineapple or mango filling. Just ensure the filling is thick enough not to leak.
- Spiced Variations: Enhance the flavor profile by adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or a touch of cardamom to your apple (or other fruit) filling. A hint of orange zest can also brighten the flavors.
- Savory Hand Pies: Think beyond dessert! Use puff pastry for a savory hand pie with fillings like cooked chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, or spinach and feta cheese. These make excellent quick lunches or appetizers.
- Different Crust Options: While refrigerated pie crust is super convenient, you can also use puff pastry for an even flakier result, or even crescent roll dough for a softer, bread-like texture.
- Glaze and Topping Alternatives: Instead of powdered sugar, consider a lemon glaze for citrusy brightness, a maple syrup glaze for a fall touch, or a simple drizzle of melted white chocolate. Crushed nuts or sprinkles can also add texture and visual appeal.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Apple Hand Pies:
Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers, proper storage ensures they remain delicious. Once fully cooled to room temperature, store the hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 4 days.
To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend for restoring that wonderful crispness. Place the refrigerated pies back into the air fryer and heat at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through and the crust is crisp again. This method prevents them from becoming soggy, which can happen in a microwave.
Why Air Frying is Ideal for Hand Pies:
The air fryer truly shines when it comes to making hand pies. Its rapid hot air circulation offers several advantages over traditional baking methods:
- Unmatched Crispiness: The constant flow of hot air ensures that every inch of the pie crust gets beautifully crispy and golden, mimicking the texture of deep-fried pastries without the excess oil.
- Speed and Efficiency: Air fryers preheat quickly and cook much faster than conventional ovens. An 8-minute cook time means you can have warm, fresh hand pies ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Energy Saving: Using a smaller appliance like an air fryer consumes less energy compared to heating up a large oven, making it a more eco-friendly and cost-effective choice for smaller batches.
- No Overheating the Kitchen: Especially during hot weather, avoiding the oven is a huge plus. The air fryer keeps the heat contained, maintaining a comfortable kitchen environment.
- Perfect for Small Batches: Whether you’re making a treat for one or two, or just a few for the family, the air fryer is ideal for preparing smaller quantities without wasting energy or time.
Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies:
These versatile hand pies can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways, making them perfect for almost any occasion:
- Classic Dessert: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream. A drizzle of warm caramel or a sprinkle of toasted pecans takes them over the top.
- Breakfast or Brunch Treat: Enjoy them alongside your morning coffee or tea, or as part of a brunch spread. Their individual portions make them great for grab-and-go mornings.
- Snack Time: A perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a satisfying after-school snack for kids.
- Holiday Gathering: While simple, their comforting flavors make them a welcome addition to any holiday dessert table, offering a less formal alternative to a traditional pie.
- On the Go: Their handheld nature makes them ideal for packing in a picnic basket or taking along for a quick treat on a road trip.
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are undoubtedly the best choice for a quick, simple, and utterly satisfying dessert that brings those delightful fall flavors right into your home. With minimal ingredients and a hands-on time of just minutes, you can enjoy a warm, comforting treat without any culinary fuss. It’s the perfect dessert to whip up and then get on with your day, leaving you with a delicious memory of cozy indulgence!
If you enjoy these, you’ll love these Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls too.
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Air Fryer Fanatics
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Ingredients
- 2 9- inch Refrigerated Pie Crusts
- 21 oz Canned Apple Pie Filling
- Ground Cinnamon
- 2 Eggs
- Granulated Sugar
- Powdered Sugar Optional, for dusting or glaze
Instructions
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Begin by rolling out the pie crusts and cutting each 9-inch crust into two equal halves. This will give you 4 crust pieces in total, each forming one handheld apple pie.
-
On two of the crust halves, add a generous amount of apple pie filling, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon for extra flavor.
-
Use the remaining two crust halves (without filling) as the top crusts. Place each one over a filled half, aligning the edges. Secure the edges by pressing them firmly with the tines of a fork to seal the pies. (Refer to photos above for visual guidance).
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Repeat this process for all remaining pieces, ensuring you form 4 handheld pies. Lightly pierce the top of each pie a few times with a knife to allow steam to escape.
-
Lightly coat the basket or tray of your air fryer with olive oil spray, coconut oil spray, or a similar cooking spray. Carefully place the pies inside, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
-
In a small bowl, whisk 2 eggs to create an egg wash. Brush the top of each pie generously with this beaten egg mixture.
-
Combine equal parts ground cinnamon and granulated sugar (approximately a tablespoon of each) in a separate bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on top of each egg-washed pie.
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Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for a total of 8 minutes. For optimal browning and even cooking, it is best to carefully flip each pie after 4 minutes.
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Serve your delicious air fryer apple hand pies warm, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped topping, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
