Crafting perfect, portable pockets of flaky crust filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples. These Apple Pie Hand Pies are the perfect grab-and-go snack or party gathering.

apple pie hand pies recipe - sugar & cloth

Apple pie hand pies are a delicious and portable twist on the classic American dessert. These individual-sized treats feature a flaky pastry crust filled with sweet and spiced apple filling, making them the perfect on-the-go snack, sweet breakfast or dessert.

If I, Alex can eat anything without needing a plate and a fork, then I’m sold! Our easy apple hand pies recipe is infinitely tastier than the iconic fast-food version. Plus, the small size and individual portions make for great party food ideas.

The beauty of apple hand pies is that even novice bakers can feel like kitchen superstars. It’s almost impossible to mess these up. So don’t be intimidated by the amount of steps, the entire process is really intuitive. Cook the apple, swirl in a few spices, and taste!

Whether enjoyed warm out of the oven or at room temperature, apple pie hand pies are sure to satisfy your craving for apple pies or apple cobbler.

Table of Contents

Ingredients Needed

For the pastry dough:

All-purpose flour
Salt
Ice cold water
Unsalted butter — Chilled and cubed
Egg — For egg wash when assembling

For the apple filling:

Apples — Peeled, cored and diced. Experiment with different apple varieties for a diverse flavor profile. Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for a well-balanced flavor profile. Popular choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a combination of different varieties.
White sugar
Unsalted butter
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger
Ground nutmeg

How to Make the Pastry Pie Dough

1 — In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.

2 — Add chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, like wet sand.

3 — Gradually add ice-cold water (a tablespoon at a time) and mix just until the dough comes together. Do not over-mix.

4 — Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate while you are prepping the filling.

5 — Preheat oven to 400°F.

Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

1 — In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook until butter begins to turn a golden brown color, about 1 minute.

2 — Add apples, sugars, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often until apples are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

3 — Add in spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Assemble the Apple Pie Hand Pies

1 — Roll out the chilled dough on a floured work surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.

2 — With a knife, cut circles into the dough for a more rustic “imperfect” look like ours. Or with a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, large glass or a small bowl, cut the dough into circles to resemble miniature pies.

3 — Place spoonfuls of the apple filling onto the center of each pastry circle. Fold the other half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Crimp to close. Or seal the edges by pressing with a fork.

To make the edge as pictured here fold the overhanging bottom part of the dough up over the top edge, working your way around the crust. Crimp the edge tightly closed, pinching a little bit of dough with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and using your index finger on the other hand to push a small notch into the pinched dough.

4 — Use a sharp knife to make 2 small ventilation holes on top of each hand pie.

5 — In a small bowl, whisk an egg and brush each hand pie for a golden finish. Place them on lined baking sheet with parchment paper.

6 — Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Store bought dough: If you’re short of time, opt for a pre-made pie crust, dough sheet or puff pastry.
Chill the dough: Ensure your pastry dough is well-chilled before rolling it out. This helps in achieving a flaky and tender crust. Chill your dough while making your filling. Or ideally, allow it to chill for 1-2 hours.
Adjust sugar: Customize the level of sweetness in the filling according to your taste.
Add lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a bright and tangy flavor that enhances and contrasts the sweetness of the apples. If you opt for lemon juice, add 1/2 tablespoon to the filling mixture.
Prevent sogginess: To prevent a soggy bottom crust, pat the diced apples with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture before mixing them with sugar and spices.
Experiment with fillings: Feel free to get creative with the filling by adding ingredients like caramel, chopped nuts, or raisins for a personalized touch.
Try different fruits: Once you’ve tried the apple version, give this recipe another go with blackberries, cherries and/or blueberries.
Egg wash: Brushing the hand pies with an egg wash before baking adds a beautiful golden finish to the crust. Don’t forget this step for an attractive presentation.
Optional: Sprinkle sugar: If desired, sprinkle turbinado sugar over the pies for a sweet crunch.
Make ahead: These hand pie recipe made ahead of time and frozen before baking for future use.
Feeling frisky?: Add a splash of whiskey or bourbon to the batter for an alcoholic dessert.
Storage: Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, freeze them and reheat as needed.

More Apple Flavored Recipes to Try

Wouldn’t this also make for some delicious Thanksgiving desserts? For more recipes that highlight apples, check out a few of our favorite recipes below —