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There’s something undeniably fun about mini desserts — and these Mini Cranberry Hand Pies are as cute as they are craveable. They’re sweet, a little tart, and perfect when you want something that walks the line between appetizer and dessert.
I started making these as a way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, but they were such a hit with my kids that now we make them on purpose. They’re the perfect holiday sweet bite: handheld, flaky, and finished with a sugary crunch on top.
The air fryer makes the crust golden and crisp in just minutes, and you don’t even need to turn on the oven. These are ideal for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or a festive snack with coffee or cider.
They’re ready in under 15 minutes, and you only need a handful of ingredients. Let’s make these adorable little pies!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
You only need five ingredients to make these sweet and tart mini hand pies:
- Pie Crust: Store-bought or homemade both work. Let it come to room temp for easy rolling and cutting.
- Cranberry Sauce: Use leftover homemade sauce or canned. Whole berry gives more texture, but either works.
- Sugar: Just a little sprinkle on top adds sparkle and sweetness.
- Egg: Beaten and brushed over the crust for shine and color.
Optional: Add a drizzle of vanilla glaze or a pinch of cinnamon to the filling for extra flair.
Pro Tip: Use a round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass to cut even circles from the crust.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Crust: Roll out the pie crust and cut into small circles (about 3 inches wide).
- Add the Filling: Spoon a small amount of cranberry sauce onto half of the circles.
- Seal the Pies: Fold over each into a half-moon and crimp the edges with a fork.
- Egg Wash & Sugar: Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set to 350°F and preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- Air Fry: Arrange in a single layer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
Pro Tip: Don’t overfill the pies — a little goes a long way and helps prevent leaks.
Optional: Drizzle with vanilla glaze once cool for extra sweetness.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the pies (they’ll burst)
- Skipping the egg wash (they won’t get golden)
- Not sealing the edges properly
- Overcrowding the air fryer basket
- Using too thick a crust (it won’t cook evenly)
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pie dough or pastry.
- Festive: Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the filling.
- Healthyish: Use low-sugar cranberry sauce and brush with milk instead of egg.
- Comfort Food: Drizzle with vanilla glaze or dip in whipped cream.
- Kid-Friendly: Let kids help seal the edges and sprinkle the sugar!
You can also swap in other fillings like apple butter, pumpkin butter, or cherry jam for different seasons.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
Mini hand pies are great to prep ahead and store:
- Make Ahead: Assemble the pies and refrigerate (uncooked) on a tray for up to 1 day.
- Fridge: Store cooked pies in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze raw pies, then air fry directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 3-4 minutes to refresh the crust.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
These pies are a fun way to use up holiday leftovers and easy to adapt for gluten-free or lower sugar versions.
Mini Cranberry Hand Pies (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut pie crust into 3-inch circles.
- Add cranberry sauce to half of the circles.
- Fold over, crimp edges.
- Brush with egg, sprinkle sugar.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden.
Notes
- Don’t overfill the pies.
- Chill assembled pies if not cooking immediately.
- Optional glaze adds sweetness!
Mini desserts like these cranberry hand pies are what holiday snacking dreams are made of. Sweet, tart, and flaky — they’re a guaranteed hit. Let me know if you tried the vanilla glaze or a different filling! And if you’re loving air fryer sweets, check out my air fryer apple fritters — cozy, cinnamony, and just as quick!
