If you love the warm, crispy goodness of a classic dessert, you’re going to absolutely adore this Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe. Imagine biting into a flaky, golden puff pastry wrapped around a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling—pure comfort on a plate!

A white plate holds seven golden-brown, rectangular fried pastries stacked unevenly, each coated with a sugar and cinnamon mix that gives a slightly rough texture. The pastries have crimped edges with visible ridges, and their surface looks crispy and lightly bubbled. On the right side of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with smooth caramel sauce, showing a shiny, glossy surface. A few fresh green mint leaves rest near the pastries for a touch of color, and the plate sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I get so excited making these fried apple pies because they bring back childhood memories and make any day feel special. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen!

Authentic Flavor: The homemade apple filling uses tart Granny Smith apples blended with warm spices for that perfect balance of sweet and spice.
Flaky & Crispy Crust: Puff pastry yields that irresistible golden and flaky shell, just like your favorite fast-food treat.
Quick & Simple: From prep to frying, you have a delightful dessert in under an hour, including chilling time.
Customizable Toppings: Dust with cinnamon sugar or drizzle caramel sauce to take these pies from good to unforgettable.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this recipe, a few key ingredients make all the difference—using the right apples and puff pastry means the best texture and flavor. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why each one plays a starring role.

Flat lay of a single rectangular sheet of golden puff pastry, a small white bowl filled with diced fresh Granny Smith apples, a small white bowl with light brown granular brown sugar, a small white bowl with bright reddish-brown ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl holding a pale beige ground nutmeg, a small white bowl containing fine ground cloves, a small white bowl with a few small cubes of creamy butter, a small white bowl with white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with white granulated sugar, a small white bowl with rich caramel sauce, and a small white bowl filled with clear cooking oil, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Puff pastry sheets: The flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry are essential for that crisp, golden crust.
Granny Smith apples: Their tartness adds brightness and balances the sweetness of the filling beautifully.
Brown sugar: Provides that rich, caramel-like sweetness that complements the apples perfectly.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to the filling and the sugar coating outside.
Nutmeg: A pinch offers subtle earthiness to round out the spice profile.
Ground cloves: Just a hint enhances the complexity without overpowering.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the filling meld together smoothly.
Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it’s firm and not runny inside the pastry.
Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for that irresistible sugar coating on the outside.
Oil for frying: Vegetable or canola oil works best to achieve that crisp finish without burning.
Optional caramel sauce: Because who can resist a drizzle of caramel on warm apple pie?

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe is how flexible it is to your tastes and occasions. Feel free to tweak the filling, try different toppings, or make it your own seasonal favorite!

Spiced Up Variation: I love adding a pinch of ginger or allspice to the apple filling for a deeper warm flavor that’s perfect during the holidays.
Vegan Twist: Swap butter for coconut oil in the filling and use a suitable vegan puff pastry to easily make this dessert vegan-friendly without losing any crunch or flavor.
Fruit Mix-Up: Try mixing diced pears or peaches with the apples for a juicier, multi-fruit pie that changes things up without much extra effort.
Extra Crispy: For an even flakier crust, brush the pies lightly with an egg wash or melted butter before chilling and frying—just be sure to keep an eye on the frying time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe

The image shows a white plate filled with several golden brown fried pastries, each coated with a sparkling layer of cinnamon sugar. One pastry is cut open to reveal soft, chunky pieces of cooked apples inside, showing a warm yellow color with a glossy texture. The pastries are stacked close together, and fresh green mint leaves lie near the front on the plate. In the background, a green apple and a striped cloth can be seen slightly blurred, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pastry Pieces

Start by cutting each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal pieces—this recipe yields 16 small pies from one 17.3 ounce box. Place them spaced out on a parchment-lined sheet pan to keep them from sticking while you prepare the filling. No rushing here; the dough needs to be thawed but still cool to handle easily without tearing.

Step 2: Simmer the Apple Filling to Perfection

In a medium pan over medium heat, combine your diced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Let this mixture come to a gentle simmer and cook for about 6-8 minutes until the apples turn tender but still keep some bite. Stir in the butter to add richness and remove from heat once it’s fully melted.

Step 3: Thicken the Filling for a Perfect Consistency

Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a smooth slurry, then stir it into the warm apple mixture. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes while stirring constantly until you see the filling thicken nicely. This step is key to avoid soggy pies. Set the filling aside to cool slightly before assembling.

Step 4: Assemble and Seal Your Pies

Place about 2 tablespoons of your luscious apple filling onto one half of each puff pastry piece. Lightly brush the edges of the pastry with water—this acts like glue. Fold the pastry over to form a rectangle, then press the edges tightly with a fork to create a neat seal. This step helps keep all that delicious goo inside while frying.

Step 5: Chill Before Frying

Pop the assembled pies into the freezer for 20 minutes. This chilling step firms up the edges so they won’t leak oil or filling when frying. It also helps the pastry stay flaky and crisp as it cooks.

Step 6: Fry Until Golden and Dreamy

Heat about 3 inches of oil to 350°F in a deep pot or fryer—using a thermometer here ensures your oil stays at the perfect frying temperature. Fry 2-3 pies at a time for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally for an even golden brown. The pies should puff slightly and have a crisp, flaky crust. Drain them briefly on paper towels to soak up extra oil.

Step 7: Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the pies are still warm, sprinkle generously with a mix of granulated sugar and the remaining 3 ½ teaspoons cinnamon. This coating adds the perfect sweet-spiced crunch that brings everything together in a classic, nostalgic way.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Let your fried apple pies cool just enough to avoid burning your tongue, then enjoy them plain or with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent touch. Each bite is a marvel of crispy, flaky pastry and warm cinnamon apple filling.

Top Tip

Mastering the art of frying pastries to golden perfection takes a bit of practice, but these tips will help you nail it every time with this Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe.

Temperature Matters: I always keep a reliable thermometer on hand to maintain that perfect 350°F oil temperature, which ensures the pies get crispy without absorbing too much oil.
Don’t Rush the Chill: Freezing the pies for 20 minutes before frying was a game changer—I used to skip this and ended up with leaking filling. It really firms up the edges so the filling stays inside.
Drain Well: Rest the fried pies on paper towels immediately after frying to let excess oil drain off. This simple step keeps them crispy and not greasy.
Edge Sealing: Crimping the pastry edges firmly with a fork helps prevent any spills during frying, something I learned after a few messy batches!

How to Serve Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of small pastry squares on a white marbled textured surface. One of the squares is open and filled with golden brown, shiny, cooked apple chunks that are placed in the center, looking soft and coated in a syrupy glaze. The other squares are sealed with crimped edges made by pressing down with a fork, creating ridged patterns along the edges. The pastry dough is pale yellow with a smooth, soft texture. The overall look is of prepared, unbaked apple-filled pastries arranged on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These pies are lovely dusted with the cinnamon sugar right out of the fryer, but you can elevate the experience by pairing them with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce for extra indulgence. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream also makes a wonderful companion, adding a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, crispy pies.

Side Dishes

Serve these fried apple pies as a delightful dessert after a cozy meal. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai, or spiced cider—perfect for chilly evenings or festive gatherings. For a lighter snack, a small bowl of fresh fruit or a simple green salad can balance the richness nicely.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover fried apple pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them crisp, avoid stacking them directly; if stacking is necessary, separate with parchment paper.

Freezing

If you want to save time on another day, you can freeze the assembled pies before frying. Place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan, freeze for 20 minutes to firm up, and then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 1 month. Fry them directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the frying time.

Reheating

To reheat fried apple pies and restore their crispness, pop them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy. This method warms the filling without compromising the flaky texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other apples instead of Granny Smith?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are great for their tartness and firmness, but you can substitute with other crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Just be mindful that sweeter apples may change the overall flavor balance.

Is there an alternative to deep frying these pies?

If you prefer not to deep fry, you can bake the pies in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and puffed. The texture will differ slightly, but they’re still delicious!

How do I prevent the pies from leaking during frying?

Make sure to brush the pastry edges with a little water and crimp them very firmly with a fork. Also, chilling the pies in the freezer for 20 minutes before frying helps set the seal and prevents leaks.

Can I prepare the apple filling ahead of time?

Yes! The apple filling can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Just be sure to cool it completely before assembling the pies to avoid soggy pastry.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about these Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe — a little nostalgic bite of sweet, warm apple filling wrapped in flaky, golden pastry. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or a cozy weekend treat, I hope they bring you as much joy as they do me. Don’t forget to savor that first crispy, cinnamon-sugary bite, and maybe share one or two with someone you love. Happy frying!