Apple hand pies are small, portable pies with a buttery crust wrapped around a cinnamon apple filling. They bake until golden and can be eaten without a fork, which makes them ideal for picnics, lunch boxes and parties.
The filling is made in one pan in about five minutes, and ready made pie crusts make the shaping quick. The result tastes like a slice of classic apple pie in a single handheld serving.
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Why This Apple Hand Pies Recipe Works
Cooking the apples briefly with butter, sugar and cinnamon softens them so they are tender by the time the crust turns golden. It also thickens the juices with cornstarch before they ever reach the crust, which stops leaks.
Small pies mean more crisp edge in every bite and a short bake. An egg wash gives them shine, and a sprinkle of coarse sugar adds sparkle and crunch.
Ingredients for Apple Hand Pies
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 pie crusts (homemade or store bought)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Apples. Use your favorite apple variety. Firm apples such as Granny Smith, Braeburn or Fuji keep their shape ideal.
Cornstarch. It thickens the juices so the filling stays put when you fold and seal the pies.
Pie crusts. Homemade or store bought both work. Two crusts make about 8 hand pies.
Egg wash. Brushing the beaten egg on top gives a deep golden color and helps the coarse sugar stick.
How to Make Apple Hand Pies
1. Cook the filling. Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, sugar, salt, cornstarch and cinnamon.
2. Soften the apples. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples are slightly tender. Let the filling cool for a few minutes.
3. Cut the circles. Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into circles.
4. Fill. Spoon the filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a small border.
5. Seal. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal. Crimp with a fork if you like.
6. Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and place the hand pies on a baking sheet.
7. Glaze. Beat the egg, brush it over each pie and sprinkle with coarse sugar if you like.
8. Bake. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown, and serve warm.
How to Serve Apple Hand Pies
Serve warm on their own, dusted with powdered sugar, or with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce. For more fruit desserts, fresh cherry pie and southern peach cobbler are lovely follow ups. If you like apple flavors in other forms, try Greek yogurt apple cake or apple pie protein balls.
How to Store and Reheat Apple Hand Pies
Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for 3 to 4 days and warm them in the oven or air fryer to crisp the crust again.
Tips and Variations for Apple Hand Pies
Cool the filling. A hot filling softens the crust and makes sealing difficult.
Do not overfill. A spoonful or two is plenty. Extra filling squeezes out at the seams.
Seal firmly. Press the edges with a fork so the pies stay closed in the oven.
Let the crust rest. If the dough gets soft while you work, rest the cut circles briefly in the refrigerator so they hold their shape.
Use a parchment lined sheet. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy if any filling leaks.
Try the air fryer. To cook them in an air fryer, set it to 350 degrees F and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, until crispy and golden.
Pack them safely. General advice from UW Extension on leftovers is helpful when you take hand pies to a gathering or picnic.
Top them off. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Hand Pies
Can I make apple hand pies in an air fryer?
Yes. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, until crispy and golden.
How do I keep apple hand pies from leaking?
Cook the cornstarch into the filling, leave a border around the edge and press the seams firmly with a fork.
Can I use homemade crust for apple hand pies?
Yes. Any pie dough works, homemade or store bought.
Can I make the filling ahead?
Yes. Cook it earlier, cool it and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you assemble the pies.
What apples are ideal?
Firm baking apples hold their shape ideal, but your favorite variety will work.
Apple Hand Pies
Equipment
- medium pan
- Rolling Pin
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ tbsp butter for the filling
- 2 medium apples peeled, cored and chopped
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 pie crusts homemade or store bought
- 1 large egg beaten, for brushing
- 2 tbsp coarse sugar for sprinkling, optional
Instructions
Cooking
- Filling. Melt the butter, add the apples, sugar, salt, cornstarch and cinnamon, and cook about 5 minutes until the apples are slightly tender. Cool a few minutes.
- Cut. Roll out the crusts and cut them into circles.
- Fill and seal. Spoon filling on half of each circle, fold over and press the edges to seal.
- Glaze. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set the pies on a baking sheet, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve. Serve warm with powdered sugar or ice cream.
