Description
These easy apple hand pies feature perfectly flaky crusts and a warm, spiced apple filling, making them a portable and family-friendly treat ideal for snacks, dessert, or lunchboxes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 medium Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples (700-850g), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 sheets store-bought refrigerated pie crust (about 400-450g total)
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar (50g), plus extra for sprinkling
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon (1g)
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg (0.5g)
- 1 pinch salt (1g)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28g)
- 1 large egg, for egg wash (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (15ml)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (8g)
- 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prep Apples: Peel, core, and dice apples into 0.5-inch cubes (about 2 cups). Toss with 1 tbsp lemon juice to prevent browning and add brightness.
- Make Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add apples, 0.25 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 tsp cinnamon, 0.25 tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples soften slightly but still have a bite. Stir in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; cook for 1 minute more until the filling thickens. Let cool completely.
- Prepare Crusts: Unroll refrigerated pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface. Use a 4-inch (10 cm) round cookie cutter or small bowl to cut out 8-10 circles per crust (total 16-20 circles).
- Fill Pies: Place a generous tablespoon of the cooled apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a 0.5-inch border. Avoid overfilling.
- Form Hand Pies: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a semi-circle. Press the edges firmly to seal, then use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative and secure seal.
- Add Lattice Tops (Optional): Use a small lattice cutter or cut thin 0.25-inch strips from extra dough. Lay strips over half of the pies before sealing, or on top of the sealed pies, then crimp edges again.
- Egg Wash and Sugar: Whisk 1 large egg with 1 tbsp water for an egg wash. Brush lightly over each hand pie. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar for a sweet, sparkling finish.
- Bake Pies: Carefully place the prepared hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbly around the edges.
Notes
If the filling looks too wet after cooling, simmer gently for an extra minute or two until jammy. For a time-saver, use a pizza cutter to divide dough into squares instead of circles. Consider adding a pinch of ginger or cardamom, or mixing in dried cranberries or raisins for flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 280 calories
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: easy dessert, apple pie, hand pies, portable snack, flaky crust, spiced apples, lunchbox treat, family-friendly, sugared lattice, quick baking