If you love warm, sweet, and crispy desserts, then this Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine flaky puff pastry hugging a cozy, warmly spiced apple filling, fried until golden and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar—yep, just like those classic nostalgic fried pies we all adore.

A white plate holds a stack of six golden-brown rectangular pastries, each covered with a light dusting of sugar and cinnamon. The pastries have a crimped edge texture and appear crispy on the outside. On the right side of the plate is a small white bowl filled with smooth, light brown caramel sauce. A small sprig of fresh green mint lies near the bottom left of the plate. The plate is set against a white marbled textured surface, with a blurred green apple and striped cloth in the background. 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 have to admit, these fried apple pies bring back so many childhood memories, but better—because you get to make them fresh right in your own kitchen. They’re sweet, crunchy, and perfectly balanced with the tartness of apples and a little punch of warm spices.

Quick & Fun to Make: The prep comes together in just about 15 minutes, and the total cooking time is just 30 minutes including chilling.
Homemade & Better: You control the flavors with fresh apples and real spices, no mystery fillers here.
Perfectly Crispy: Deep frying the puff pastry gives that irresistible crunch every bite needs.
Versatile Serving: Enjoy them plain, dusted with cinnamon sugar, or drizzled with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When gathering your ingredients, a few thoughtful choices really change the game. Using Granny Smith apples gives that perfect tart contrast to the sweet filling and cinnamon, and trusty puff pastry makes a flaky shell with minimal fuss.

Flat lay of a small stack of pale golden puff pastry sheets, a handful of bright green Granny Smith apples peeled and diced, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white bowl with reddish-brown ground cinnamon powder, a tiny white bowl containing fine beige nutmeg powder, a very small white bowl with dark brown ground cloves, a small pat of rich yellow butter, a small white bowl holding fine white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, 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: These provide the buttery, flaky crust that crisps up beautifully when fried.
Granny Smith apples: Their tartness holds up well during cooking and balances the sweetness of the sugar and spices.
Brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness and complements the warm spices perfectly.
Cinnamon: Divided between the filling and coating, cinnamon brings warmth and depth to every bite.
Nutmeg: Just a hint to enhance that classic spiced flavor profile.
Ground cloves: Adds subtle aromatic notes that elevate the filling.
Butter: Melts into the filling to enrich the texture and flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the filling so it stays perfectly nestled inside the pastry.
Granulated sugar: Combined with cinnamon for a sweet, crunchy coating after frying.
Oil for frying: Enough to fill 3 inches deep in your pan, ensuring even cooking and crispy results.
Water: For brushing the edges and sealing the pies securely.
Caramel sauce (optional): For drizzling over warm pies to add that lush, gooey finishing touch.

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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

One of the best parts about this Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to play with the spice blend, swap apples, or add an unexpected twist, the possibilities are endless—and delicious!

Seasonal Spin: I love trying this with a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp apples in the fall for a balanced flavor that’s bursting with freshness and seasonal appeal.
Gluten-Free Option: For those avoiding gluten, using a gluten-free puff pastry works well—just be mindful of frying times, as some brands brown faster.
Extra Crunch Variation: Sprinkling a little chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling adds a delightful crunch and nutty note that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
Sweetener Swap: Feel free to substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a richer, more complex sweetness.
Make It Vegan: Use a vegan puff pastry and swap butter with coconut oil to create a delicious vegan version that doesn’t skip on flavor or flakiness.

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

A close-up view of small, golden brown apple pieces coated with a shiny caramel-like sauce sitting evenly in a large light bronze pan. The apple pieces are cut into varied small cube shapes, with a soft, slightly translucent texture, and the mixture has a smooth, glossy finish covering each piece. The pan rests on a surface with a white marbled texture visible around the edges. The overall look is warm, with rich golden and caramel colors blending seamlessly photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Start by cutting each thawed puff pastry sheet into 4 equal pieces. I arrange them spaced out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to keep them from sticking together while I work on the filling. This makes assembly smoother and ensures you have perfect-sized pies.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling

In a medium pan over medium heat, combine your diced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become tender but still hold a little bite. Then, stir in the butter to add that luscious richness to your filling.

Step 3: Thicken the Filling

Whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then add it to your simmering apple mixture. Cook and stir constantly for another 3 minutes until the filling thickens up nicely and clings to your apples without being runny. Remove from heat and let it cool briefly so it’s easier to handle.

Step 4: Assemble the Pies

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the warm apple filling onto one half of each puff pastry piece. Then, lightly brush the edges of the pastry with water—this acts like glue to seal your pies. Fold the pastry over to create a neat rectangle and press the edges firmly together. For a lovely finish and extra security, crimp the edges with a fork.

Step 5: Chill Before Frying

Place your neatly assembled pies on a tray and pop them into the freezer for 20 minutes. This chilling step is key—it helps the pastry hold its shape while frying and prevents the filling from leaking out. Patience here really pays off in that perfect, flaky crust.

Step 6: Heat the Oil

Pour enough oil into a deep pan or fryer to reach a depth of about 3 inches. Heat the oil carefully to 350°F, using a cooking thermometer to maintain the temperature steady. This ensures even, golden frying without greasy or undercooked pies.

Step 7: Fry the Pies to Golden Perfection

Gently add 2 to 3 pies at a time to the hot oil—don’t overcrowd! Fry them for 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re a beautiful golden brown and cooked all the way through. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to catch any excess oil.

Step 8: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Mix together the granulated sugar with the remaining 3½ teaspoons of cinnamon in a small bowl. While the pies are still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously over each one, letting the warmth help it stick beautifully and add that final touch of sweet spice.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Allow your pies to cool just slightly—hot enough to enjoy warm but not burn your tongue! For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle with caramel sauce before serving. These pies are cozy, crispy, and utterly comforting, perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself).

Top Tip

Mastering the art of perfect fried apple pies can truly elevate your homemade dessert game. These tips come straight from hands-on experience, so you can skip the mistakes and go straight to delicious success!

Chill Before Frying: I learned that chilling the pies for the full 20 minutes before frying not only helps the pastry hold its shape but also reduces the chance of the filling leaking out. It’s a small wait that makes a big difference!
Maintain Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil steady at 350°F is key. I use a reliable cooking thermometer and adjust the heat as needed to ensure even, golden-brown pies without greasy spots.
Don’t Overfill: Using just about 2 tablespoons of filling per pie prevents bursting. From experience, overfilling creates a mess and can cause the pies to break during frying.
Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar Immediately: Sprinkling the cinnamon sugar while the pies are still warm helps it stick beautifully and adds that irresistible sweet crunch.

How to Serve Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe

Two golden brown pastry rolls are stacked on a white plate, each filled with soft, glossy chunks of cooked apple coated in a warm cinnamon sauce. The top pastry layer has a crispy texture with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. A small green mint leaf is placed on the right side of the plate. The background shows a white marbled texture with a blurred green object and a gray striped cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Crispy Fried Apple Pies shine beautifully with a few simple garnishes. Try drizzling warm caramel sauce over the pies for an indulgent touch that complements the cinnamon sugar perfectly. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside adds a cool contrast to their warm, flaky texture. For a hint of freshness, a light sprinkling of finely chopped toasted pecans or a mint leaf can add visual appeal and subtle flavor boosts.

Side Dishes

These pies make a great dessert centerpiece but also pair well with cozy, simple sides like a hot cup of spiced apple cider or a warm chai latte. For an afternoon treat, serving alongside a creamy pumpkin soup or a sharp cheddar cheese board creates a lovely balance of sweet and savory bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover pies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps the pastry crisp and the filling fresh – just avoid refrigeration as it can make the crust soggy.

Freezing

To freeze for longer storage, wrap each fried pie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for about an hour before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat pies in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to refresh their crispy exterior and warm the filling. Avoid microwaving as it tends to soften the puff pastry and take away that glorious crunch. If you want to bring back some of the freshly fried magic, a quick 1–2 minute blast in a toaster oven works wonders.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness, but you can substitute with other firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn. Just make sure they hold up well during cooking.

Why is it important to chill the pies before frying?

Chilling the pies for 20 minutes firms up the pastry and filling, which helps prevent the pies from falling apart or leaking while frying. It also helps the crust puff up nicely without deforming.

What oil is best for frying these apple pies?

Neutral-flavored oils with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are best. They ensure even frying without imparting unwanted flavors.

Can I bake these pies instead of frying them?

You can bake them as a lower-fat alternative, though they won’t have the same crispy, deep-fried texture. Bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden, brushing with butter for added richness.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for joining me on this delicious journey with the Crispy Fried Apple Pies Recipe! These little pockets of warm, spiced apple goodness wrapped in flaky, golden pastry truly bring a comforting nostalgia and a homemade touch to any dessert table. Whether it’s for a cozy family night or impressing guests, these pies are sure to become a favorite. So roll up your sleeves, follow the steps, and enjoy each crunchy, sweet bite—you deserve it!