Apple pies are tasty, but even better are when you can pick them up and eat them with your hands! And it's so much easier and faster to enjoy the tasty fall flavors of apple pie thanks to the air fryer. These Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are made with flaky buttery puff pastry, filled with cinnamon apples, and topped with sweet salted caramel.
Is there any food more American than apple pie?
While the apple pie originated in England, it was brought over to the US in the 17th century and soon became the symbol of American wealth and national pride. The phrase, "as American as apple pie" is still popular to this day!
And while We enjoy keeping the freezer stocked with apple pie filling and making mini apple pies, there's one form that We love apple pie above all others: Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies.
Apple Hand Pies
We absolutely ADORE apple hand pies!! They're perfectly portable pockets of yummy goodness.
If you're not familiar with hand pies, they are basically double crusted pastry that is sealed and filled with regular pie filling. They are small enough to fit in your hand, hence the name.
And, they are absolutely the personal favorite way to enjoy pie flavors!!
Why you will love air fryer apple hand pies
There are so many reasons to love these air fryer apple hand pies! Here are simply a few that make this hand pie recipe special:
- Uses basic, common ingredients. You most likely have everything you need to make these apple hand pies in your fridge, pantry, or freezer. If not, they are common ingredients simple to find at any grocery store.
- A better crust-to-filling ratio. With hand pies, you get tasty amounts of pastry and filling with every bite!
- Easier to eat at parties. It's SO much easier to eat hand pies while mixing and mingling with guests. No fork required!
- Simple make-ahead dessert. These are tasty when served hot or at room temperature, so you can make them in advance and reheat simply before the first guests arrive!
- Freeze and reheat. If you leave off the salted caramel topping, these hand pies freeze and reheat beautifully.
Kitchen tools and equipment
For this recipe, you simply need a few basic kitchen tools:
Cutting board + knife – Use a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife to dice the apples. You can also use the cutting board to cut out the pastry circles and as an assembly surface when assembling the hand pies.
Pastry brush – You'll need a pastry brush to brush egg wash over the assembled and formed hand pies before baking.
Pot– You will be cooking the apple pie filling in a large pot. We use the Dutch oven for this. It heats evenly and the apples get nice and tender. Plus, it's easier to clean.
Saucepan – In another pot or saucepan, you'll be making the caramel. Use a heavy bottom pot for this, so that the caramel cooks evenly.
Air fryer – Finally, you'll need an air fryer. We make these in the Pressure-cooker Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker using the Air Crisp function. Whether you use a tray-style air fryer or basket-style air fryer, the temperature and time stay the same.
If using a basket-style air fryer, you may simply need to work in batches. If using a tray-style air fryer, you may want to rotate the trays halfway through so that the apple hand pies air fry evenly.
Ingredients to make the apple hand pies
Apples – Choose apples that bake up nicely. We prefer to use Granny Smith apples for this recipe. But, you could also use Braeburn, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, or Honey Crisp apples. Avoid Red Tasty apples, as they do not hold their shape well in baked/air fried desserts.
Butter – Use unsalted butter.
Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds such a lovely aroma and flavor to the apple hand pie filling!
Light brown sugar – Using light brown sugar gives the filling more depth of flavor. You can use granulated sugar instead if you don't have light brown sugar, but it will not have the same depth of flavor.
Lemon juice – A little acidity always helps balance the apple hand pie filling.
Cornstarch + water – Use a mixture of cornstarch and water to create a slurry, which helps thicken up the apple hand pie filling mixture.
Egg + water – You'll lightly beat an egg with a small amount of water to create an egg wash. This gives the apple hand pies a glorious sheen when air fried!
Puff pastry dough – You could make your own dough, but using store-bought refrigerated puff pastry dough saves a lot of time. You'll need two sheets for this recipe (most boxes come with 2 puff pastry sheets).
Ingredients to make the salted caramel sauce
Sugar – Use granulated sugar for the salted caramel.
Water – You'll need water for this part of the recipe too, to help dissolve the sugar and begin to caramelize.
Butter – Use unsalted butter or salted butter – whichever you have on hand. If using salted butter, omit the extra salt listed separately.
Salt – If using unsalted butter, add salt to give the caramel that signature salted caramel flavor.
Step-by-step instructions on how to make these apple hand pies
In this post, We include step-by-step instructions and photos to help you make the most tasty air fryer apple hand pies with salted caramel sauce.
Be sure to read through these helpful instructions before you start. Then print out the printable recipe card with full ingredient measurements and instructions below.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then add the apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, lemon juice. Stir to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan with the apple mixture and continue to stir and cook until the mixture has thickened up a bit.
When the apples have cooked a bit and become slightly tender and the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and remove the pan.
Unroll the puff pastry sheets and use a 3-inch cookie cutter or pastry cutter to cut out circles.
Place one pastry round on a paper towel, cutting board, or parchment paper. Use a fork to poke two sets of holes lightly near the center. This helps prevent the pastry from "puffing up" too much on the bottom as it air fries.
Place one tablespoonful of filling into the center of a pastry round, leaving some space (a little less than about ½-inch) around the edges. Using your fingers, wet the edges with water. Then place another pastry round on top and press down to seal the edges all the way around.
Using the tines of a fork, gently press down along the edges of the pastry to help further seal the two pastry rounds together. This also creates a cute pattern around the edges! Then, using a small sharp knife, cut two slits in the middle of the top pastry. Repeat until you use all of the pastry rounds. You may have some filling leftover – save this for topping your Apple Cinnamon Pancakes for breakfast!
In a small bowl, beat together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush enough egg wash simply to cover the tops of each filled pastry. Place the filled pastries onto the prepared air fryer basket or trays.
Air fry at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes, simply until the puff pastry has fully cooked and the tops are golden brown.
If using a basket-style air fryer, you may simply need to work in batches. If using a tray-style air fryer, you may want to rotate the trays halfway through so that the apple hand pies air fry evenly.
Make the caramel sauce
While the pastries are air frying, make the caramel sauce.
In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, or any saucepan with a heavy bottom, melt the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
Once the sugar mixture reaches a low boil, stop whisking and allow the mixture to continue boiling until it reaches a medium-dark amber color. This step can take a while, but be sure to watch the mixture carefully: if you step away, this is where it could burn. Every once in a while, swirl the pan to ensure even boiling.
As soon as the sugar mixture reaches that dark amber color, take it off the heat and immediately add the butter. Whisk briskly until the butter melts completely. Slowly and carefully pour in the heavy cream and whisk to combine.
The mixture may bubble as you whisk, which is normal.Keep whisking the mixture until it is a gorgeous, luscious caramel sauce.
Drizzle or spoon caramel sauce over each cooked apple hand pie. Pour the remaining caramel sauce into a glass jar and cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Keep this jar in the fridge to use for other desserts!
Recipe FAQs
First, make sure you've allowed the apple pie filling to thicken up. If it's too runny, it will seep right out of the pastry while air frying.
Second, if you have time and you're concerned about possible leakage or sogginess, you could refrigerate the hand pies for 30 minutes, then air fry.
If you have leftovers, or if you are not eating hand pies fresh from the air fryer, you can store them in the refrigerator. Allow to cool to room temperature first, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can you freeze apple hand pies?Yes! Allow the air fried hand pies to cool to room temperature, then store in freezer-safe bags or containers in the freezer for up to one month.
What's the best way to reheat apple hand pies?When you're ready to eat refrigerated or frozen hand pies, allow the pies to thaw to room temperature. Then air fry at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until the filling has heated through.
How to serve apple hand pies
These air fryer apple hand pies look beautiful plated simply on their own or as part of a larger dessert table.
You can serve these hand pies warm or at room temperature.
They are tasty when served with scoops of vanilla ice cream!
Best wine pairings for apple pie
You'll want to pair warm apple pie with crisp, sweet white wines that can play off the tasty baked apples. Go for a Gewürztraminer or a sparkling Muscat.
This brand new release from Brooks Winery also enhances the yummy cinnamon flavors in these hand pies!
More sweet and savory apple recipes
More dessert recipes
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Gingersnap Crust
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Espresso
- Microwave Blueberry Crisp
- Disneyland Churros Copycat Recipe
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 12 Yummy apple pie filling air fried in puff pastry and topped with salted caramel sauce!Ingredients
For the Apple Hand Pies
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 green apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
For Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons water
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Make the apple hand pies
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then add the apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan with the apple mixture and continue to stir and cook until the mixture has thickened up a bit.
- Meanwhile, unroll the puff pastry sheets and use a 3-inch cookie cutter or pastry cutter to cut out circles.
- When the apples have cooked a bit and become slightly tender and the mixture has thickened, turn off the heat and remove the pan.
- Place one pastry round on a paper towel, cutting board, or parchment paper. Use a fork to poke two sets of holes lightly near the center. This helps prevent the pastry from "puffing up" too much on the bottom as it air fries.
- Place one tablespoonful of filling into the center of a pastry round, leaving some space (a little less than about ½-inch) around the edges. Using your fingers, wet the edges with water. Then place another pastry round on top and press down to seal the edges all the way around.
- Using the tines of a fork, gently press down along the edges of the pastry to help further seal the two pastry rounds together. This also creates a cute pattern around the edges! Then, using a small sharp knife, cut two slits in the middle of the top pastry. Repeat until you use all of the pastry rounds. You may have some filling leftover – save this for topping your Apple Cinnamon Pancakes for breakfast!
- In a small bowl, beat together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush enough egg wash simply to cover the tops of each filled pastry. Place the filled pastries onto the prepared air fryer basket or trays.
- Air fry at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes, simply until the puff pastry has fully cooked and the tops are golden brown.
Make the caramel sauce
- While the pastries are air frying, make the caramel sauce. In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, melt the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Once the sugar mixture reaches a low boil, stop whisking and allow the mixture to continue boiling until it reaches a medium-dark amber color. This step can take a while, but be sure to watch the mixture carefully: if you step away, this is where it could burn. Every once in a while, swirl the pan to ensure even boiling.
- As soon as the sugar mixture reaches that dark amber color, take it off the heat and immediately add the butter. Whisk briskly until the butter melts completely. Slowly and carefully pour in the heavy cream and whisk to combine.
- The mixture may bubble as you whisk, which is normal.Keep whisking the mixture until it is a gorgeous, luscious caramel sauce.
- Drizzle or spoon caramel sauce over each cooked apple hand pie. Pour the remaining caramel sauce into a glass jar and cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Keep this jar in the fridge to use for other desserts!
Notes
We use the Pressure-cooker Deluxe XL to air fry these apple hand pies, using the Air Crisp function. Place the deluxe reversible rack into the Pressure-cooker pot in the lower position, place half of the apple hand pies on the rack, then place the additional top rack in and place the remaining hand pies on the top rack. If using a tray-style air fryer or basket air fryer, you may want to place parchment paper over the bottom of the trays or basket. Storage: these keep in an airtight container at room temperature overnight, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat: you can reheat refrigerated apple hand pies by air frying them at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes.Nutrition
Calories: 430 kcal, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 27 g, Saturated Fat: 11 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 45 mg, Sodium: 307 mg, Potassium: 81 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 25 g, Vitamin A: 418 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 23 mg, Iron: 1 mgNutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.