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Fall baking without turning on the oven? Yes please! These air fryer apple hand pies are a cozy little treat that bring all the nostalgia of apple pie—without the mess (or the wait). I whipped up a batch on a chilly afternoon and let me tell you: the smell of cinnamon and warm apples filling the kitchen in under 10 minutes? Pure magic.
What makes them so great? They’re flaky, golden, and perfectly sweet with that warm cinnamon-apple center we all love. And thanks to the air fryer, you get that bakery-style finish without heating up the house. They’re also incredibly portable—great for lunchboxes, fall picnics, or just nibbling with a cup of tea.
You’ll love how easy they are. Store-bought crust, canned (or homemade!) apple pie filling, and a quick egg wash to get that golden top. From prep to first bite? Just about 15 minutes.
If you’re looking for a quick fall dessert or a fun treat to make with the kids, these hand pies are calling your name. Let’s get baking… err, air frying!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you need to make these delicious little apple hand pies:
- Pie crust (1 sheet) – Store-bought works perfectly here (think Pillsbury or your favorite brand). Let it come to room temp for easier handling.
- Apple pie filling (1 cup) – Use canned for speed or homemade if you have extra apples. Chop it a bit so it’s easier to fill the pies without overflow.
- Sugar (1 tbsp) – For sprinkling on top. Adds sparkle and a little crunch.
- Cinnamon (1 tsp) – Mix with the sugar or sprinkle directly over the egg wash for that cozy finish.
- Egg (1) – Whisked for an egg wash to help everything turn beautifully golden.
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting after cooking. Adds a bakery-style touch!
Swaps & Notes:
- You can use puff pastry instead of pie crust for a flakier finish.
- Want to make them dairy-free? Just skip the egg wash and use a little dairy-free milk.
- Gluten-free? Use a gluten-free pie crust or pastry shell.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Pro Tip: Preheating helps get that nice even browning right from the start.
- Roll out the pie crust and use a round cutter (or the rim of a glass) to cut circles—about 4 inches wide works well. Pro Tip: Reroll the scraps to get a few extra pies out of your crust.
- Add 1 tablespoon of apple pie filling to the center of each circle. Fold in half to make a semi-circle and crimp the edges with a fork. Pro Tip: Don’t overfill—a little goes a long way, and you want the edges to seal tightly.
- Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mix. Pro Tip: You can also poke a small slit in the top for steam to escape.
- Place the hand pies in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the pies – Too much filling causes leaks and makes sealing tough.
- Skipping the egg wash – You’ll miss out on that golden, glossy top.
- Crowding the air fryer – They won’t crisp up evenly. Give them space.
- Not sealing the edges well – Filling can ooze out during cooking.
- Undercooking – If they’re pale, give them another minute or two.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Caramel Apple Pies – Add a drizzle of caramel sauce inside each pie for extra decadence.
- Spiced Pear Version – Swap apple filling for spiced pear compote.
- Savory Twist – Try filling them with brie and apple slices for a fancy appetizer.
- Mini Hand Pies – Use smaller cutters for bite-sized treats.
- Maple Glaze – Drizzle with maple syrup + powdered sugar glaze post-air fry.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
These hand pies are excellent make-ahead treats:
- Make ahead (uncooked): Assemble the pies and store in the fridge for up to 1 day before air frying.
- Cooked pies: Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4.
- To reheat: Pop them in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp.
- Freezing: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked pies. When ready, cook straight from frozen—just add 2–3 minutes to the air fryer time.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Approximately 180 calories per hand pie (varies based on crust/filling).
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut crust into circles (~4 inches).
- Add 1 tbsp apple filling to each, fold, and crimp edges.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
- Air fry for 8–10 mins or until golden.
- Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Estimated Calories: ~180 per pie
These apple hand pies are the kind of fall treat you’ll want to keep making on repeat. They’re fast, cozy, and taste like something straight from a bakery—but easier and way more fun to make. If you give them a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out! Leave a comment, share your twist, or tag me on social so I can see your gorgeous golden pies. And if you’re into fruit-filled air fryer desserts, check out my Air Fryer Baked Apples—they’re gooey, spiced, and just as simple!
