Fried apple pies fill the kitchen with a warm, sweet aroma that instantly brings comfort. The flaky crust and tender apple filling create a delightful texture that’s hard to resist.
You can easily make these at home, and don’t worry if they don't turn out perfectly. It's all about enjoying the process and sharing them with loved ones.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe for fried apple pies combines a flaky, buttery crust with a perfectly balanced filling of sweet apples and warm cinnamon. The technique of chilling the dough before rolling ensures a tender texture, while cooking the apple mixture enhances the flavors and creates just the right thickness. Together, these elements make for a delightful treat that’s easy to enjoy. Now that you know why it works, let’s move on to the steps for making these delicious pies!
The One Thing That Makes It Work
- The success of these fried apple pies lies in the flaky dough created by using cold, cubed butter and chilling the mixture before rolling it out.
- This technique ensures that each bite delivers a perfectly crisp texture, complementing the sweet and spiced apple filling beautifully.
Now that you've mastered the key to success, let's explore each step in detail to ensure your fried apple pies turn out perfectly.
Essential Ingredients
To create the perfect fried apple pies, you'll need these essential ingredients for both the dough and filling.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted): Sifting ensures a light and airy dough, making it easier to roll out.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of the dough; don't skip this for a balanced taste.
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough, complementing the apple filling.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Cold butter is crucial for a flaky texture; keep it refrigerated until ready to use.
- ¼ cup cold water (more if needed): Adding cold water gradually helps bind the dough without making it tough.
- 3 medium apples (peeled, cored, and diced): Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for their tartness and firmness, which holds up well when cooked.
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed): This provides depth of flavor and caramelization to the apple filling.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A warm spice that enhances the sweetness of the apples; adjust to your preference.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Prevents browning of apples and adds brightness to the filling.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Acts as a thickener for the filling, ensuring it’s not too runny.
- ¼ cup water: Helps cook the apples down while creating a syrupy consistency in the filling.
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying): Ensures even cooking; maintain at 350°F for best results during frying.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for dusting): Sprinkling this on warm pies gives an irresistible sweetness to every bite.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Combined with sugar for dusting, enhances flavor while adding visual appeal.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Do This, Not That
- Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, rather than opting for overly sweet or mealy varieties that can make the filling bland.
- Ensure your butter is cold and cubed to achieve a flaky crust; using melted butter can lead to a dense dough that lacks texture.
- Finally, remember to use granulated sugar for dusting while avoiding powdered sugar, as it won’t provide the desired crunch and flavor contrast.
With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to mastering fried apple pies!
Step-by-Step Method
Start by preparing the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, salt, and granulated sugar. This mix should look light and airy. Next, add the cold cubed butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until it resembles coarse crumbs, which will help create a flaky crust.
Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix gently until the dough holds together. If it feels too dry, don’t hesitate to add a bit more water. Once the dough is formed, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps relax the gluten for easier rolling.
While waiting for the dough, prepare the apple filling. In a medium saucepan, combine diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat until the apples become tender and the mixture thickens, around 5-7 minutes. The filling should smell sweet and fragrant as it cooks.
Once your filling has cooled slightly, roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thick. Cut out circles using a round cutter about 4-5 inches in diameter. Place a tablespoon of cooled apple filling in the center of each circle before folding them over into half-moon shapes.
To seal the pies, press down on the edges firmly and crimp them with a fork for decoration. This also helps keep the filling from leaking during frying. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop in a few pies at a time without overcrowding.
Fry each pie for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they're golden brown and crispy. They should be sizzling pleasantly in the oil, giving off an inviting aroma. Once done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to paper towels to drain off excess oil before dusting them with sugar and cinnamon while still warm.
Now that you’ve mastered making fried apple pies from scratch, let's explore some delightful serving suggestions and variations!
Troubleshooting (If Something Goes Wrong)
If your dough is too crumbly, try adding a bit more cold water to help it come together. If the filling is runny, cook it a little longer to thicken it up before using. Should the pies burst during frying, ensure you’re not overfilling them and seal the edges tightly. Mistakes happen, and they are easily fixable! Now that you’re equipped with solutions, let’s explore some serving ideas for your fried apple pies.
Variations You’ll Actually Want to Try
For a fun twist on fried apple pies, consider adding some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the filling for added crunch. You could also experiment with spices such as nutmeg or ginger for a different flavor profile. If you enjoy a bit of zest, try incorporating orange zest into the apple mixture. Feel free to play around with these ideas while sticking to the classic recipe! Now that you have some delicious variations in mind, let's move on to perfecting your frying technique.
Pick Your Flavor Path
- For a warm, spicy twist, add a pinch of nutmeg to your apple filling for an extra layer of warmth.
- If you crave a zesty note, toss in some finely grated ginger with the apples to brighten the flavors.
- For a touch of nuttiness, sprinkle some finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling before sealing the pies.
Now that you've explored flavor variations, let's move on to perfecting your frying technique for those crispy fried apple pies.
FAQ
How long do fried apple pies stay fresh?
Fried apple pies can stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
Can I use different apples for the filling?
Yes, you can substitute with your favorite apples, but Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are best recommended.
What is the best way to reheat fried apple pies?
Reheat them in an oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
This will ensure your fried apple pies maintain their delicious texture and flavor.
Fried Apple Pies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ¼ cup cold water more if needed
- 3 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
- ¼ cup water to help cook the apples
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
- ¼ cup granulated sugar for dusting
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, salt, and granulated sugar. This will ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. You may need to add more water if the dough is too dry.
- Once the dough is formed, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to relax the gluten, making it easier to roll out.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. This step enhances the flavor and creates a nice filling consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the filling cool while you roll out the dough.
- On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thick. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) to cut out circles.
- Place a tablespoon of the apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause the pies to burst during frying.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal, then crimp with a fork for a decorative touch.
- In a frying pan or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the right temperature for frying.
- Carefully place a few pies in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the pies from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon for dusting.
- While the pies are still warm, sprinkle the sugar mixture over them for added sweetness.
- Serve warm and enjoy your delicious fried apple pies!
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