Description
These Fried Apple Pies are a delicious homemade take on the classic McDonald's treat, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a spiced apple mixture and deep fried to golden perfection. They offer a perfect balance of tender, cinnamon-scented apples and crispy, buttery crust, ideal for a comforting dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff 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
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Additional 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for mixing with sugar)
Other
- Water (for brushing)
- Oil for frying (about 3 inches depth)
- Caramel sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Puff 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 the diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 6-8 minutes until the apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Then stir in the butter until melted.
- Thicken Filling: Whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then add to the apple mixture. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble Pies: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one side of each puff pastry piece. Brush the edges of the pastry with water, fold over to create a rectangle, and press edges with a fork to seal.
- Chill Pies: Place the assembled pies in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up before frying.
- Heat Oil: Fill a deep pot or fryer with about 3 inches of oil and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fry Pies: Fry 2-3 pies at a time for 5-6 minutes until they turn golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and remaining cinnamon.
- Coat Pies: While still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously over each fried pie.
- Serve: Let the pies cool slightly before serving. Optionally, drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For best results, use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firm texture.
- Thickening the filling with cornstarch prevents it from leaking during frying.
- Chilling the pies before frying helps maintain their shape and improves flakiness.
- You can bake these pies at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes as a lighter alternative.
- Leftover pies can be reheated in the oven to retain crispness.
- If caramel sauce is not available, vanilla ice cream makes a great accompaniment.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 476 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 181 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
