Description
These Fried Apple Pies are a delicious homemade take on the classic McDonald's favorite. Featuring a homemade apple filling with Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and warm spices, all encased in flaky puff pastry and deep fried to golden perfection. Finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and optional caramel sauce, these pies make a perfect dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 17.3 ounce box puff pastry sheets, thawed
Apple Filling
- 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided use
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Topping and Frying
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Oil for frying (about 3 inches depth)
- Caramel sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry: Cut each sheet of thawed puff pastry into 4 equal pieces and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cook Apple Filling: In a pan over medium heat, combine diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes or until the apples are tender. Stir in the butter until melted.
- Thicken Filling: Whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Add this to the apple mixture and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Assemble Pies: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one side of each puff pastry piece. Brush the edges with water, then fold the pastry over the filling to create a rectangle. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges securely.
- Chill Pies: Place the assembled pies in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up before frying.
- Heat Oil: Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a frying or candy thermometer to maintain temperature.
- Fry Pies: Fry 2 to 3 pies at a time for 6 minutes or until golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 3 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon with granulated sugar.
- Coat Pies: While the pies are still warm, sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously over each one.
- Serve: Let the pies cool slightly. Serve warm with optional caramel sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- If short on time, canned apple pie filling can be substituted for the homemade filling.
- Using a candy or frying thermometer ensures the oil stays at the correct frying temperature for crispy, not greasy, pies.
- Drain pies on paper towels after frying to remove excess oil.
- Use enough oil to fully submerge the pies but avoid overfilling the pot to prevent spills and splatters.
- For best results, chill the assembled pies before frying to help maintain their shape and prevent filling leakage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
