Irresistible Homemade Fried Apple Or Peach Pies Recipe

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen spark when making these delightful fried apple or peach pies that melt in your mouth.

Crisp pastry envelops warm, gooey fruit filling, creating a nostalgic dessert everyone adores.

Homemade treats like these connect us to cherished moments around the table.

Regional Southern traditions shine through each golden, flaky pocket of deliciousness.

Compact handheld desserts work perfectly for picnics, potlucks, or lazy weekend afternoons.

Minimal ingredients and simple techniques mean you can whip up these irresistible pies in no time.

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a classic comfort food that promises pure joy in every bite.

Why Fried Apple Or Peach Pies Are A Southern Classic

• Quick Skill Builder: Perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their pastry-making techniques with straightforward steps and minimal specialized equipment.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delivers nostalgic flavors and crispy textures that appeal to all ages, making it an instant family favorite for gatherings and casual meals.
• Adaptable Culinary Adventure: Offers flexible fruit filling options using seasonal produce like apples or peaches, allowing creative twists and personal recipe modifications.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Breaks down complex pastry-making into manageable stages, ensuring even novice bakers can successfully create delicious handheld pies with confidence and minimal kitchen stress.

What You Need For Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the pastry.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pastry dough.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers and adds rich, buttery flavor to the crust.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough ingredients together and ensures a tender texture.

• Apples or Peaches: Fresh fruits that provide a sweet and juicy base for the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a caramelized flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice to the fruit mixture.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, complementary warm flavor to the filling.

• Egg: Creates a golden, glossy exterior when used as an egg wash.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for deep-frying the hand pies.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a sweet, delicate coating to the finished pies.

Steps To Make Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

Step 1: Prepare Dough Base

Mix flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Chop cold butter into small pieces and work it into the flour using a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like rough, crumbly sand.

Step 2: Shape Dough Ball

Pour in cold water and gently knead until the dough comes together in a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 3: Create Fruity Filling

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Ensure the fruit gets completely coated with the sweet-spiced mixture.

Step 4: Roll Out Dough

Take the chilled dough and roll it out on a flour-dusted surface until it’s thin and even, about the thickness of a coin.

Step 5: Cut Dough Circles

Use a round cookie cutter or drinking glass to cut out circular dough shapes. Collect and re-roll any leftover dough scraps.

Step 6: Fill Pie Pockets

Place a small spoonful of fruit mixture in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill.

Step 7: Seal Handheld Pies

Fold the dough over to create half-moon shapes. Press the edges together with a fork to seal completely and prevent leaks.

Step 8: Prepare Egg Wash

Whisk an egg and brush the edges of the pies to help them turn a beautiful golden color when cooked.

Step 9: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a heavy skillet and heat to 375°F. Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature.

Step 10: Fry Pies

Carefully lower the pies into the hot oil, cooking 2-3 at a time. Fry until they turn a deep golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 11: Drain Excess Oil

Remove the fried pies using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain extra oil.

Step 12: Add Final Touch

Sprinkle warm pies generously with powdered sugar, creating a sweet, delicate coating that perfectly complements the spiced fruit inside.

Tips For Frying Perfect Apple Or Peach Pies

• Master Dough Consistency: Work with cold butter and water to achieve a flaky, tender pastry that crumbles perfectly when bitten.
• Control Fruit Moisture: Drain excess liquid from diced fruit to prevent soggy pies and maintain a crisp, golden exterior during frying.
• Seal Pies Securely: Use a fork's tines to crimp edges tightly, preventing filling from leaking and ensuring a clean, professional look.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Keep oil steady at 375°F for even cooking, using a thermometer to prevent burning or undercooking.
• Serve Fresh and Warm: Dust pies with powdered sugar immediately after frying for the most delightful, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Delicious Takes On Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

• Gluten-Free Fruit Hand Pies: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version, using xanthan gum to help bind the dough.
• Vegan Baked Fruit Pastries: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based egg wash substitute, and bake instead of frying for a healthier alternative.
• Low-Sugar Berry Empanadas: Substitute granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and use mixed berries for a lower-calorie fruit filling option.
• Air Fryer Fruit Turnovers: Cook the hand pies in an air fryer at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, achieving a crispy exterior with minimal oil usage.

What Goes Well With Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

• Perfectly Paired Wine Complement: Select a sweet Riesling with light acidity to balance the crispy, sugary fried pies. Its fruity notes will harmonize beautifully with the spiced apple or peach filling.
• Refreshing Beverage Partner: Brew a chilled chai tea with subtle cinnamon and nutmeg undertones that mirror the pie's warm spices, creating a complementary flavor experience.
• Unexpected Ice Cream Match: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream for a classic contrast. The cold, creamy texture will provide delightful temperature and flavor balance against the warm, crispy fried pastry.
• Complementary Dessert Sidekick: Add a small scoop of caramel or butterscotch gelato to enhance the pie's richness and introduce an extra layer of indulgent sweetness.

How To Store Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

• Place cooled fried pies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. These delectable treats will stay fresh for 3-4 days when chilled.
• Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen fried pies maintain quality for up to 2 months, ready for future snacking.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed pies in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Arrange on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning while restoring crispiness.

Common Questions About Fried Apple Or Peach Pies

• How do I prevent the dough from becoming tough?

Keep handling to a minimum. Use cold butter and cold water, and mix just until the dough comes together. Overworking causes gluten development, which makes the pastry tough and chewy.

• What's the best way to seal the pies without leaks?

Crimp the edges firmly with a fork and ensure no filling touches the edges. Press down completely around the semicircle to create a tight seal that prevents oil from seeping in during frying.

• Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Brush with egg wash and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a slightly healthier alternative to deep frying.

Fried Apple Or Peach Pies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40-42 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern charm meets homemade comfort in classic Fried Apple or Peach Pies, delivering golden-crisp pastry with sweet, spiced fruit filling. Dessert lovers will savor these nostalgic hand pies that bring memories of grandmother’s kitchen and pure southern hospitality.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup cold water

Fruit Filling:

• 3 apples or peaches
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Frying and Finishing:

• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the pastry dough by combining flour and salt in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually add cold water, gently kneading until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest and firm up.
3. While the dough chills, prepare the fruit filling by peeling and dicing apples or peaches into small, uniform pieces.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the diced fruit with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring the fruit is evenly coated with the sweet-spiced mixture.
5. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness, creating a smooth, even sheet.
6. Using a round cookie cutter or glass, cut the dough into 4-inch circles, collecting and re-rolling scraps as needed.
7. Place a small portion of the fruit filling in the center of each dough circle, being careful not to overfill.
8. Fold the dough over to create half-moon shapes, crimping edges with a fork to seal the pies completely and prevent filling from leaking.
9. Whisk the egg and brush the sealed edges with egg wash to ensure a golden, crisp exterior.
10. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet to 375°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for even frying.
11. Carefully lower the pies into the hot oil, frying 2-3 at a time until they turn a rich, golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
12. Remove the fried pies with a slotted spoon, draining excess oil on paper towels to preserve their crispy texture.
13. Dust the warm pies generously with powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet coating that complements the warm, spiced fruit filling.

Notes

• Choose firm, slightly underripe fruits for better structural integrity during frying, preventing mushy textures and potential oil splattering.
• Ensure dough remains cold throughout preparation to maintain flaky, crisp pastry layers that won’t become greasy when fried.
• Control oil temperature precisely with a thermometer, keeping it steady at 375°F to achieve perfectly golden, crisp exteriors without absorbing excess oil.
• Customize fillings by adding chopped nuts, alternative spices like cardamom, or replacing sugar with honey for diverse flavor profiles and dietary adaptations.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg