apple hand pies

Air Fried Hand Pies

Apple filling made from chopped apples, sugar, and warm spices is enclosed in small pastry rounds to form compact hand pies. The pastry edges are sealed before the pies are placed in an air fryer, where circulating heat cooks the dough and warms the filling. As the pastry bakes, the exterior turns golden while the apples soften and release juices that thicken with the sugar and spices.

During cooking, the pastry layers crisp and develop a light, flaky texture from the heat and fat within the dough. The filling becomes tender and aromatic as the apples break down slightly inside the sealed crust. Air frying uses rapid convection heat to produce evenly browned pastry and a warm fruit center in a small, handheld pie.

Print Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Dessert
Servings: 2

Equipment

  • skillet or sauce pan

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets pie crust, Pillsbury
  • 2 cups Granny Smith apples (2 apples), diced
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. flour, plus some for dusting
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. water
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, unsalted
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp. milk
  • raw sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions 

Apple Filling

  • In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, white sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a skillet or sauce pan over medium-high heat.
  • Brown butter for about a minute until it is foamy and lightly golden in color.
  • Stir the apples into the hot butter and sauté for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften
  • Add the sugar mixture and 1 tsp. of water, stir to coat the apples, and bring to a boil.
  • Cook while stirring occasionally for about 7 minutes until the liquid thickens and the apples are coated.
  • Remove the apple filling from the heat and set aside to cool for 30 minutes.

Hand Pies

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  • Dust the work surface with flour an roll out the pie crust and cut into 4" circles.
  • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling to the center of each circle of dough.
  • Fold the circle of dough over and seal the edges with the egg wash and press closed with a fork.
  • Place all pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Cut small slits across the top of each pie to allow steam to vent when they bake.
  • Combine the beaten egg and 2 tsp. of milk to create a wash.
  • Brush each pie with the egg wash.
  • Sprinkle raw sugar across the tops of the pies.
  • Bake the sheet of pies in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes until the crust is golden brown.