Golden Air Fryer Apples (Printer-Friendly)
Flaky crust with tender spiced apples air fried for a golden, crisp finish that's quick and easy.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fruit Filling
01 -
2 cups diced tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
02 -
3 tablespoons brown sugar
03 -
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
04 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 -
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 -
1 teaspoon cornstarch
→ Pastry
07 -
2 sheets refrigerated pie crust, fully thawed
→ Finishing
08 -
1 large egg
09 -
1 tablespoon whole milk
10 -
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
11 -
Powdered sugar or glaze for optional drizzle
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
Combine diced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 6 minutes until the apples soften and the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
02 -
On a lightly floured surface, use a 4 to 5-inch round cutter to cut eight circles from the thawed pie crust sheets. Gather and reroll scraps as needed to reach eight circles total.
03 -
Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of cooled apple filling onto the center of four pastry rounds. Cover each with a second round and press edges firmly with a fork to seal completely, preventing filling leakage during cooking.
04 -
Whisk the egg and milk together until smooth. Lightly brush the mixture over the tops and edges of each sealed hand pie. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly on top for a golden, crunchy finish.
05 -
Set the air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes to ensure even baking.
06 -
Arrange hand pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for airflow. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is crisp and deeply golden. Cook in batches if necessary.
07 -
Transfer hand pies to a cooling rack and let cool until just warm. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze before serving.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Ensure the apple filling is completely cooled before assembling to prevent soggy crusts.
02 -
Seal edges firmly with a fork to avoid filling leakage during air frying.
03 -
Brush off excess flour from pastry prior to cooking for a glossy finish.