These easy apple hand pies are filled with warm baked apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. They’re small, handheld, and ready in about 30 minutes. This recipe is flexible — it can be made gluten-free, vegan, or refined sugar-free with a few substitutions.
Perfect for fall gatherings, Friendsgiving, or Thanksgiving, these hand pies are a crowd-pleasing dessert or a special breakfast treat.
This recipe is a great way to use apples after a trip to the orchard or a grocery run. Keep things simple with store-bought pie crusts or make a flaky crust from scratch if you prefer. The filling is not overly sweet, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes these extra indulgent. A sprinkle of coarse sugar on top provides a lovely crunch and golden finish.
If you love apple recipes, try a moist sour cream apple cake with streusel and maple glaze or a hearty baked apple oatmeal for breakfast. For more holiday-friendly sweets, an eggless dessert roundup is handy for planning fall menus.
Easy Apple Hand Pies, a Simple and Festive Fall Treat!
These handheld apple pies combine warm cinnamon apples with a golden, flaky crust and optional decorative crust cutouts for a seasonal touch. They’re versatile enough for breakfast and sweet enough to serve as dessert—ideal when you want something portable and delicious.
Why Hand Pies Are Better Than Regular Old Pies
Hand pies offer convenience and portability. Unlike a sliced pie that can get messy, these individual pies hold their filling and travel well. They’re already portioned, easy to share, and simple to dress up with little crust leaves or shapes for a festive look.
They’re great for picnics, packed lunches, or a cozy snack while out on a bike ride. Expect buttery crumbs and warm apple filling—just the right amount of comfort without the hassle of cutting and serving a full pie.
How to Make Easy Apple Hand Pies
Follow these simple steps to make warm caramel-like apple filling and assemble the hand pies:
Step 1: Dice about 3–4 small apples into small cubes. In a small bowl combine the apples with 1/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir in 2 tablespoons salted butter for a rich, slightly caramel texture.
Step 2: Cook the apple mixture in a small pot over low to medium heat, stirring frequently so the sugar doesn’t scorch. Cook until the apples soften, about 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Roll out three circular pie crusts and cut each in half to create six halves. Reserve one half of crust for cutting out decorative leaves or shapes. Spoon about 3 heaping tablespoons of the apple filling onto one side of each crust half.
Step 4: Lightly brush the edges with an egg wash (1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon water) to help seal. Fold the crust over the filling and press the edges with a fork to seal. Cut two or three small slits in the tops to allow steam to escape while baking.
Step 5: Brush the tops with more egg wash and add crust decorations if desired. Sprinkle coarse turbinado sugar or granulated sugar over each pie for color and crunch. This recipe yields about five personal-sized hand pies.
Step 6: Bake in a 375°F oven on parchment-lined baking sheets for 25–30 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown. Let cool briefly before serving; they’re best warm.
Everything You’ll Need
- Apples: Any variety works, though Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith are recommended.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a caramel-like flavor.
- Cinnamon: Classic spice for apple desserts.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the filling with a touch of tartness.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it holds inside the hand pies.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps the filling develop a silky texture.
- Pie crusts: Use store-bought or homemade flaky pie crusts.
- Egg wash: Gives the crust a glossy, golden finish.
- Turbinado sugar: Optional topping for extra crunch and color; granulated sugar works too.
Need to Make a Substitution?
Apple varieties: Use whatever apples you have. Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith are great options depending on whether you prefer sweeter or tarter filling.
No turbinado sugar? Regular granulated sugar is an easy substitute for sprinkling on top.
Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pie crust from a reliable recipe or a store-bought gluten-free crust.
Vegan/dairy-free: Swap the butter for vegan butter and use a non-dairy milk to brush the tops in place of egg wash. Apply sparingly so the crust doesn’t become soggy.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Healthy Blueberry Crisp for Two
- Perfectly Chewy Iced Lemon Cookies
- Healthy 4-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Better Than Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
If you make these apple hand pies, consider sharing your photos on Instagram and leaving a comment or rating for the recipe—home bakers’ feedback is always appreciated.
Recipe
Easy Apple Hand Pies
Mini hand pies filled with warm cinnamon apples and brown sugar—ready in about 30 minutes and perfect for fall.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 hand pies
- Category: Pies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Apple Filling:
- 3 heaping cups diced apples (about 3–4 small apples)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 store-bought or homemade pie crusts (cut into halves)
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash
- 3 tablespoons coarse turbinado sugar for topping (or granulated sugar)
- Dice 3–4 peeled apples into small cubes and combine with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and butter in a small pot.
- Heat over low to medium heat, stirring frequently until the apples soften, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut three circular pie crusts in half to make six pieces: five for hand pies and one for decorations. Add about 3 tablespoons of filling to each crust half.
- Fold each crust over the filling and seal the edges with a fork. Cut small slits in the tops to let steam escape.
- Brush each hand pie with egg wash, sprinkle with turbinado or granulated sugar, and bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Turbinado sugar substitute: Use regular granulated sugar if needed.
- Vegan/dairy-free: Replace butter with vegan butter and use non-dairy milk in place of egg wash. Brush sparingly.
- Refined sugar-free: Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or honey and omit the extra sugar on top; results will vary.