Easy Apple Hand Pies

Warm and cozy Apple Hand Pies are the perfect fall dessert! This recipe uses puff pastry to create a quick and easy flaky pastry filled with warm cinnamon apples. It’s the perfect taste of fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite season, and there is no better way to celebrate its arrival than with a cozy, delicious apple dessert. With the season approaching, I’m excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes: Homemade Apple Hand Pies!

You don’t need to make homemade pie crust or spend a ton of time in the kitchen. This classic apple hand pie recipe uses store-bought puff pastry and only requires 15 minutes of prep work.

These little delights remind me of McDonald’s Apple Pies and are made with crisp Granny Smith apples and a buttery puff pastry. Serve them a la mode with a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream! 

If you love warm and cozy fall desserts, try my Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake or Apple Dumplings!

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Apple pie is a classic American dessert. I created the best apple hand pies recipe so you can enjoy the taste of homemade apple pie any time. They reheat well and are great for a crowd.

• Easy to Make: You just need 10 to 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of bake time to make them. Use store-bought puff pastry for a quick hack and just a few other simple ingredients.
• All-American Dessert: Apple pie is an iconic American tradition. With these mini apple hand pies you can enjoy individual servings of apple pie any time of year!
• Family-Friendly: These little pies are a hit with kids and adults, making it a great choice for family gatherings or cozy fall get-togethers.
• Cozy Comfort Food: The combo of warm apple filling, butter crust and ice cream is a timeless fall and winter favorite that makes each bite feel like a warm hug.

Everything You Need For Apple Hand Pies: 

All of the ingredients are common ingredients found at your local grocery store.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Granny Smith Apples – These are my favorite apples to use for this recipe as they are one of the best choices for baking. They have a great sugar-to-water ratio which makes them hold up better when baking. If you don’t have Granny Smith apples, try to choose another tart apple for baking.
• Dark Brown Sugar – You can substitute with light brown sugar, if needed.
• Ground Cinnamon – A must for apple pie filling!
• Lemon Juice and Zest – Balances the sweet tart flavor of the apple filling.
• Puff Pastry Dough – This helps create the flaky crust. Use your favorite store-bought puff pastry.
• Eggs – You will need this for the egg wash.
• Butter – Use unsalted butter for the best flavor.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds classic vanilla flavor to the filling.
• Cornstarch – The thickening agent to thicken the apple filling.
• Cinnamon Sugar – I added a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to the top of the hand pies, but you could also sprinkle with some brown sugar or coarse sugar.

Serve the hand pies on their own or with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream!

How To Make Apple Hand Pies

1. Prepare the apples: Peel and dice the apples into small bite-sized chunks.

2. Cook the apples: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the apples, tossing to coat them in the butter. Next, stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes over medium heat.
3. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes until the apples start to soften.

4. Thicken the apple filling: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the cognac or rum, if using. Then, turn off the heat and set it aside to cool.
5. Prepare the puff pastry: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a sharp knife (or I like to use a pizza cutter) to cut your puff pastry into 8 equal pieces. Place the pieces on the lined baking sheet.
6. Assemble the pies: Spoon a spoonful or two of the cooled apple filling onto each piece of puff pastry, then fold it over and seal with the tines of a fork. Create 3 small slits at the top and brush with a beaten egg.

7. Bake the apple hand pies: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the apple pies are bubbly. Sprinkle the top of each pie with cinnamon sugar while they are still warm.

Recipe Tips and Tricks:

• Use Chilled Puff Pastry: Keep your puff pastry chilled until you’re ready to use it. This helps ensure it stays flaky and doesn’t become too soft during handling. If it’s too soft, it will stretch and stick to your hands.
• Cut the Apples into Small Pieces: This ensures the apples cook evenly. Small pieces also ensure the pies don’t break or get overfilled too easily.
• Don’t Overfill: Avoid overfilling the pies with apple mixture. Too much filling can cause leaks and uneven baking.
• Seal Edges Well: Continuing from my last tip, make sure to press down the edges of the hand pies with a fork to seal them properly. This prevents the filling from spilling out during baking.

Storage and Reheating

While these hand pies are at their best when fresh, leftovers heat well! You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer or microwave to warm them up before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions