Apple Hand Pies Recipe

Apples: Fresh apples, peeled and diced, provide the sweet and tart filling for the pies.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the apple filling.

Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the apples perfectly.

Lemon juice: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and prevent the apples from browning.

Pie crusts: The dough that forms the flaky outer layer of the hand pies.

Egg: Beaten to create an egg wash that gives the pies a golden, glossy finish.

When preparing the apple mixture, make sure to dice the apples into uniform pieces. This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture in each bite. Additionally, when sealing the hand pies, use a bit of water along the edges before crimping with a fork. This helps to create a better seal, preventing the filling from leaking out during baking.

• apples - Substitute with pears: Pears have a similar texture and sweetness, making them a great alternative in hand pies.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and adds a slight floral note to the filling.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm, slightly sweet flavor that complements fruit fillings well.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and tanginess to balance the sweetness of the fruit.

• store-bought or homemade pie crusts - Substitute with puff pastry: Puff pastry offers a flaky, buttery texture that works well for hand pies.

• egg wash egg - Substitute with milk: Milk can be used to achieve a similar golden-brown finish on the crust.

• Allow the apple hand pies to cool completely at room temperature before storing or freezing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
• For short-term storage, place the hand pies in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• If you prefer to refrigerate, store the pies in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To freeze, wrap each hand pie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the pies in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
• For a freshly baked taste, reheat the hand pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in a microwave for a quicker option, but note that the crust may not be as crisp.
• If you have leftover apple mixture, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can be used for another batch or as a topping for desserts like ice cream or pancakes.
• For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on the hand pies before reheating to enhance the flavor and give a delightful crunch.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover apple hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the pies loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the apple filling is warmed through and the crust is crispy.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want a crisper crust.
  6. Let them cool slightly before serving.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the apple hand pies on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don't over-brown.
  4. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the apple hand pies on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the crust from drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 30-60 seconds, checking after the first 30 seconds.
  4. Be cautious as the apple filling can get very hot.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the apple hand pies in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Let them cool slightly before serving.

• Stovetop Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the apple hand pies in the skillet.
  3. Cover with a lid and heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and the crust is crispy.
  4. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

• Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) to bake the hand pies until golden brown.

• Mixing bowl: Combine the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.

• Rolling pin: Roll out the pie crusts on a floured surface.

• Floured surface: Prevents the pie crusts from sticking while rolling them out.

• Cookie cutter: Cut out circles from the rolled-out pie crusts.

• Spoon: Place a spoonful of the apple mixture onto each circle of dough.

• Fork: Crimp the edges of the dough to seal the hand pies.

• Pastry brush: Brush the tops of the hand pies with the beaten egg.

• Baking sheet: Place the hand pies on this for baking.

• Cooling rack: Let the hand pies cool slightly before serving.

Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice the night before and store in the fridge.

Use store-bought crust: Opt for store-bought pie crusts to save time on dough preparation.

Efficient cutting: Use a large cookie cutter to cut multiple dough circles at once.

Batch assembly: Lay out all the dough circles and fill them in one go to streamline the process.

Quick egg wash: Use a pastry brush to quickly apply the egg wash on all the pies at once.