These Apple Hand Pies are even better than McDonald’s and so easy to make using a fresh apple pie filling covered in puff pastry.
Apple Hand Pies with Puff Pastry
I remember going to McDonald’s when I was a kid and always having to get a warm apple hand pie. They were my favorite! I knew that I must attempt to make a homemade copycat version and loved the way it turned out! Honestly, these are even better and incredibly simple to make. Similar to our Apple Turnovers, but slightly different. Even if McDonald’s isn’t your thing, these baked apple hand pies definitely will be! These are also fun to make for Holidays like these Mummy Apple Hand Pies.
I love making pie recipes! Some people are partial to cakes and cookies, but for me, it’s all about the pie. I especially enjoy one that can be held without a plate or fork. Just another reason why these apple hand pies are a favorite.
If you love traditional apple pie like I do, you’ll also want to check out these other unique apple pie desserts: Apple Pie Cookies, Apple Pie Wontons, Caramel Apple Empanadas, Apple Pie Dip and Apple Pie Tacos.
Ingredients Needed
Here is everything you will need to make a batch of fresh, homemade, mini apple pies.
- Apples. Peeled and diced granny smith apples into small pieces.
- Puff Pastry Sheets. Thawed out. You can use our No-Roll Pie Dough recipe with this, but we went shortcut way on this and use Puff Pastry.
- Sugars. Granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Lemon. A small lemon used for the apple pie filling.
- Cornstarch.
- Egg. For an egg wash on the pastry before baking.
How To Make Apple Hand Pies
Just 10-15 minutes of prep is all you need to make this apple hand pie recipe.
- Apple Pie Filling. The hand pie baking time isn’t long enough to soften the apples, so cooking them on the stove is the best option. In a saucepan, heat the apples with the sugars, spices and lemon juice. When it’s hot, add the cornstarch and water. Cook and stir for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens up.
- Make the pie. Roll out the puff pastry and cut them into 8 even rectangle pieces, for a total of 16 pieces. Spoon the apple pie into the center leaving room around the edges. Brush egg wash over the edges, then cover the apples with another rectangle piece of pastry. Press the pieces together with the a fork. If you are using our No-Roll Pie Dough recipe, follow the same directions.
- Make the topping. Stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the pastries.
- Cook. Bake the pies for about 16-18 minutes in a 400 degree oven until they are golden brown.
Tips and Varitaions
Cutting Apples. Cut the apples into small pieces. That way you can fit more of the apple filling into each hand pie.
Alternative Fillings. Instead of Apple Pie Filling, you can use Blueberry pie filling, Strawberry, Cherry, Nutella, Jam, etc…
The Crust. Puff pastry sheets are definitely the easiest to use, but feel free to make our easy homemade pie crust.
Make Fun Shapes. We love creating fun shapes with hand pies or even make them into pops like our cute Heart Pie Pops. Create shapes using cookies cutters like hearts, leaves, or other fun cookie cutter shapes.
Toppings. Serve these with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for an extra special treat or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
More Apple Pie Recipes
Apple Hand Pies
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 puff pastry sheets thawed
- 4 large apples peeled and diced into small bites
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon Juice from half of a small lemon
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch combined with 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 egg whisked with a spoonful of water (for wash before baking)
Topping Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Stir in the ¼ cup of water, stirring as it heats. Allow the mixture to become hot, then add in the cornstarch and water.
- Continue stirring the apple mixture for about 5-7 minutes. The apple mixture will begin to thicken, and once it does, remove the pan from heat and set it aside to let it cool.
- Prepare the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping of the pies. Set the bowl aside until the pies are prepared for the oven.
- Roll out each pastry puff sheet into a square, about 12×12. Cut each square into 8 even rectangle pieces, for a total of 16 pieces from both sheets.
- Place four of the rectangle pieces on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.
- Spoon some of the apple pie filling onto the center of each piece, leaving about ¼ inch space on the edges. Gently brush the edges with some of the egg wash, then cover the apples with another rectangle piece.
- Pull the dough so that it reaches each corner and the rectangles line up. Press the pieces together with the end of a fork. Repeat with all four pieces.
- Lightly brush the top of each pie with the egg wash.
- Slice four small slits across the top of each piece, and then sprinkle a spoonful of the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture on top of each pie.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 16-18 minutes, until the pastry begins to turn golden brown.
- Repeat and assemble the other four pies, or place on a second baking sheet, lined with parchment paper, and bake at the same time.
- This recipe makes 8 copycat apple pies.
Last Step:
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