Description
These fried apple pies are a delightful McDonald’s copycat recipe featuring a homemade apple pie filling made with Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, and warm spices, all encased in flaky puff pastry and deep fried to golden perfection. Served with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and optional caramel sauce, they are a perfect dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Frying & Topping
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Optional: caramel sauce for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry: Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal pieces and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cook Apple Filling: In a pan over medium heat, combine diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 6-8 minutes until the apples are tender. Stir in the butter until melted and incorporated.
- Thicken Filling: Whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry, then add it to the apple mixture. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, 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 crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- Chill Pies: Place the assembled pies in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up the pastry edges, which helps prevent leaking during frying.
- Heat Oil: Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, using a thermometer to maintain accurate temperature.
- Fry Pies: Fry 2-3 pies at a time for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning as needed for even color. Remove the pies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar with the remaining 3 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. While the pies are still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over each pie until fully coated.
- Serve: Let the pies cool slightly and enjoy them as is or with a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
- If short on time, canned apple pie filling can be used as a substitute for the homemade filling.
- Using a frying or candy thermometer ensures the oil stays at the correct temperature for perfect frying.
- Drain fried pies on paper towels to eliminate excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Use enough oil to fully submerge the pies but avoid overfilling to prevent spills and unsafe bubbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
