Description
These Fried Apple Pies are a delightful homemade copycat of the popular McDonald's treat. They feature a tender, spiced apple filling encased in flaky puff pastry and are deep fried to golden perfection. Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and optionally served with caramel sauce, these pies make a perfect indulgent snack or dessert.
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
Coating & Serving
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Oil for frying (about 3 inches deep)
- Caramel sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry Pieces: Cut each sheet of thawed puff pastry into 4 equal pieces and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cook Apple Filling: In a pan over medium heat, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes until apples are tender. Stir in the butter until melted.
- Thicken Filling: Whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Add this to the apple mixture and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Fill Pastry: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one side of each puff pastry piece. Brush the edges of the pastry with water, then fold over to form a rectangle enclosing the filling.
- Seal Edges: Crimp the edges of each folded pastry with a fork to seal well and prevent leakage during frying.
- Chill Pies: Place the assembled pies on a tray and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up before frying.
- Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or heavy pot, heat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, filling about 3 inches deep for frying.
- Fry Pies: Carefully lower 2-3 pies at a time into the hot oil and fry for 6 minutes or until golden brown and puff pastry is cooked through, turning as needed for even color. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and remaining 3 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Immediately sprinkle this cinnamon sugar generously over each hot pie.
- Repeat Frying: Continue frying the remaining pies in batches, sprinkling each with cinnamon sugar as they come out of the oil.
- Serve: Allow pies to cool slightly. Serve warm with caramel sauce on the side if desired for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For best results, make sure puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold before cutting and assembling.
- You can adjust the spice level by varying the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to your taste.
- Use a thermometer to maintain accurate oil temperature at 350°F for perfectly crispy, non-greasy pies.
- If desired, try baking instead of frying at 400°F for about 20 minutes until golden for a lighter version.
- Leftover pies can be reheated in a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 476 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 181 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
