This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Fall is my absolute favorite season, and there is no better way to celebrate its arrival than with a cozy, delicious treat. With the season approaching, I’m excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes: Apple Hand Pies!
You don’t need to make homemade pie dough 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 like delicious and easy desserts try my Famous Banana Pudding or my delicious Tres Leches Cake!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Easy to Make: Using store-bought puff pastry makes these hand pies incredibly simple to make, leaving you more time to enjoy.
- All-American Dessert: Apple pie is an iconic American tradition. Make individual servings of apple pie any time of year.
- Family-Friendly: These little apple hand pies are a hit for kids and adults, making it a great choice for family gatherings or cozy fall get-togethers.
- Cozy Comfort Food: The combo of warm apple pie 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:
- 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.
- Dark Brown Sugar – You can substitute with light brown sugar, if needed.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Lemon Juice/ Zest
- 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.
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla Ice Cream, of Course!
How To Make Your Hand Pies Step by Step with Photos :
1. Prepare the Apples:
Peel and dice the apples into small bite-sized chunks.
2. Cook the Homemade Apple Pie Filling:
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. Stir constantly for 5 minutes while adding the lemon juice, zest and vanilla. Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for 3 more minutes. Then turn off the heat and let it cool.
3. Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 375°F.
4. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
Use a rolling pin to roll out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the sheet into eight equal squares.
5. Assemble the Pies:
Place about 1-2 tablespoons of apple filling in the center of each puff pastry square. Fold one side of the puff pastry over the filling to form a rectangle. Use a fork to press the edges together and seal the pie. Cut three slits on top of each pastry with a knife.
6. Finishing Touch:
Brush each pie with a little egg wash, covering the entire surface.
7. Bake:
Place the assembled hand pies on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
8. Cool & Serve:
Remove the pies from the oven, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream.
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.
Chef’s Kiss
Get creative and make them your own by adding your favorite nuts, dried fruits or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a personalized twist!
Storage and Reheating
While these hand pies are at their best when fresh, 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
No, you do not have to keep apple hand pies in the refrigerator. Simply store them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Yes, you can freeze them. Store them in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy. Or pop them in the oven straight from the freezer and reheat until warmed through.
I like using Granny Smith apples for apple pie filling because they are tart and hold up well when baking. They also compliment the sweetness of the sugar and other ingredients. You can use a mix of Granny Smith and a sweeter apple, like honeycrisp or fuji, if desired.
Easy Apple Hand Pies with Puff Pastry
Ingredients
- 5 Granny Smith apples
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons cognac or rum optional
- 1 box puff pastry thawed
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar
Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
- Peel and dice the apples, then set them aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter, then add apples and toss to coat them with the butter. Next, stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon and simmer over medium heat.
- Stir constantly for 5 minutes while adding lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in the cognac or rum, if using. Then, turn off the heat and set it aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cut your puff pastry into 8 equal pieces. Spoon one tablespoon of cooled apple filling onto each piece of puff pastry, then fold it over and seal the edges with a fork. Create 3 slits at the top and brush with a beaten egg.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until your apple pies are bubbly. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream.
The kids couldn’t get enough of this when I made these a couple of weeks ago
They keep asking when I’m making them again lol
I’ve made this recipe a couple of times by now, using different kinds of fruits like pears and peaches, and each time, it’s amazing.
this recipe + a big bowl of ice ceam = perfection
i’m probably going to make them again this weekend
I made these for the kids over the weekend, and they turned out amazing! New favorite dessert in this house!!
These were amazing, I love all of your desserts !
I made these last night and they came out amazing 😍
I saw you post these, and I had to make them ASAP. They were bombed af