These Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies are everything you love about warm apple pie — flaky, buttery crust and a gooey cinnamon-apple filling — shrunk down into a handheld treat that’s ready in under 30 minutes. No oven, no fuss, and no waiting around. They’re made with store-bought pie crust and a five-minute apple filling, which means you get all the cozy flavor of homemade apple pie with a fraction of the effort.
I first made a batch of these for my kids after a weekend of apple picking, and they vanished off the cooling rack before they’d even fully cooled. Now they’re a fall staple in our house — perfect for an after-school snack, a lunchbox surprise, or a quick dessert when the apple-pie craving hits.
If you love air fryer apple desserts, you’ll also want to try my Air Fryer Caramel Apple Danish, Air Fryer Apple Fritters, Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs, and Air Fryer Apple Cheddar Bacon Scones.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Hand Pies
- Fast. From bowl to basket in about 25 minutes, with no oven preheat.
- Easy. Store-bought pie crust does the heavy lifting — no rolling from scratch required.
- Crisp, never soggy. The air fryer gives the crust a bakery-style golden crackle.
- Flexible. Swap in any fruit filling, use puff pastry instead of pie crust, or make them in the oven.
What Are Apple Hand Pies?
Hand pies are individual, handheld mini pies — all the flavor of a full apple pie, sized so everyone gets their own. Because you’re starting with premade pie crust, they come together in minutes. Serve them warm with caramel sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a simple powdered-sugar drizzle, and you’ve got the comforting flavors of apple pie without the work of a whole pie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe card with measurements and step-by-step instructions.)
- Pie crust — I use refrigerated Pillsbury pie crust for speed, but any store-bought or homemade pie dough works. Prefer extra-flaky? Use thawed puff pastry instead (see the swap below).
- Apples — Diced and peeled. Tart, firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Gala hold their shape best.
- Granulated sugar — Sweetens the filling. Swap in apple pie spice for extra warmth.
- All-purpose flour — Thickens the filling so it doesn’t run.
- Ground cinnamon — Non-negotiable for that classic apple pie flavor.
- Vanilla extract — Rounds out the filling.
- Egg + heavy cream — Whisked together for an egg wash that turns the crust deep golden.
- Sparkling sugar — Sprinkled on top for crunch and shine. Coarse or brown sugar also works.
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Step 1: Make the filling. Peel and dice the apples into bite-size pieces and add them to a bowl with the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Toss until every piece is coated, then set aside.
Step 2: Cut the dough. Roll your pie crust out a touch if needed, then use a biscuit cutter, round cookie cutter, or glass to cut circles. You’ll need two circles per pie — one for the bottom, one for the top. Repeat until the dough is used up (about 8 pies).
Step 3: Fill and seal. Spoon a couple of tablespoons of apple filling into the center of half the circles, leaving a border. Top each with a second circle. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal, then cut two small slits in the top of each pie so steam can escape.
Step 4: Brush. Whisk the egg and heavy cream together and brush it over the tops. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
Step 5: Air fry. Place the pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket — don’t crowd them. Air fry at 330°F for 4–6 minutes, checking near the end, until golden and crisp.
Step 6: Cool and serve. Let the pies rest on a wire rack until cool enough to handle. Serve warm.
Pro Tips for the Best Hand Pies
- Don’t crowd the basket. Air needs to circulate, or the pies won’t crisp. Cook in batches if needed.
- Works in any air fryer. Basket or oven-style models, Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, Crisp Lid, or Mealthy Lid all work. Keep the temperature low (330°F); times vary by a minute or two.
- Line the basket. A piece of parchment under the pies makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking.
- Add an icing drizzle. Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 3–4 tablespoons milk and drizzle over the cooled pies.
- Use any fruit filling. Premade apple pie filling or any fruit filling works with no other changes.
Air Fryer Hand Pies with Puff Pastry
Want extra flaky, shattering layers? Use thawed puff pastry in place of pie crust. Lay out the defrosted sheets, cut your circles, and assemble exactly as directed. The air fryer time stays the same.
How to Store Apple Hand Pies
Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. To keep them crisp, avoid stacking them while still warm.
Can You Freeze Apple Hand Pies?
Yes. Let the pies cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for 1 to 2 months. They’re a lifesaver for a midwinter apple-pie craving.
How to Reheat Frozen Hand Pies
Let the pies thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm them in the air fryer at 330°F for a couple of minutes (or the microwave in a pinch) until heated through. The air fryer re-crisps the crust best.
Can I Make These Hand Pies in the Oven?
Absolutely. Assemble as directed, place the pies on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Best Apples for Apple Hand Pies
Tart, firm apples make the best filling because they hold their shape and balance the sugar. Granny Smith is my top pick, but Honeycrisp, Gala, or a mix all work well. Look for crisp baking apples rather than soft snacking varieties.
What to Serve with Apple Hand Pies
These hand pies are wonderful warm and on their own, but a few simple add-ons turn them into a real dessert:
- A scoop of ice cream. Warm pie and cold vanilla is a classic — try my Ninja Creami Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or, for a sweet-and-salty twist, Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
- A powdered-sugar icing drizzle. Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 3–4 tablespoons milk and drizzle over the cooled pies.
- A dusting of sparkling or coarse sugar for crunch (already built into this recipe).
- A cozy drink on the side. Pair them with my Easy McDonald’s Caramel Iced Coffee for a fall café moment at home.
Want to keep the apple-dessert streak going? Don’t miss my Air Fryer Caramel Apple Danish, Air Fryer Apple Fritters, and Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs.
Faqs
What are apple hand pies? Apple hand pies are individual, handheld mini pies with all the flavor of a full apple pie. Made with premade pie crust and a quick cinnamon-apple filling, they come together in minutes. If you love the format, try them other ways too — like my Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies, Air Fryer Lemon Hand Pies, or Air Fryer Blackberry Hand Pies.
Can you freeze apple hand pies? Yes. Cool the pies completely, then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for 1 to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer at 330°F until warmed through and crisp.
Can I make apple hand pies in the oven? Yes. Assemble as directed, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes until golden brown. Anything you make in the air fryer can be made in the oven, and vice versa.
What are the best apples for apple hand pies? Tart, firm baking apples like Granny Smith hold their shape best and balance the sugar. Honeycrisp, Gala, or a mix also work well — the same apples I reach for in my Air Fryer Apple Fritters and Air Fryer Caramel Apple Danish.
Can I use puff pastry instead of pie crust? Yes. Use thawed puff pastry in place of pie crust for extra-flaky, shattering layers, and keep the air fryer time the same.
What should I serve with air fryer apple hand pies? Serve them warm with a scoop of Ninja Creami Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream, a powdered-sugar drizzle, or alongside an Easy McDonald’s Caramel Iced Coffee.
What other air fryer apple desserts can I make? If you love this recipe, try my Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs, Air Fryer Frozen Apple Pie, or Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pie.
More Recipes You’ll Love
More hand pies:
- Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Peach Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Lemon Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Blackberry Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Raspberry Hand Pies
More air fryer apple desserts:
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Air Fryer Caramel Apple Danish
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
- Air Fryer Frozen Apple Pie
- Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pie
- Air Fryer Apple Cheddar Bacon Scones
Turnovers & other fruit pastries:
- Air Fryer Peach Turnovers
- Homemade Arby’s Cherry Turnovers
- Air Fryer Frozen Fruit Puff Pastry Turnovers
- Air Fryer Peach Pie
Serve them with:
Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Description
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pie crust, or puff pastry
- 2 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sparkling sugar, or brown sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Peel and dice the apples into bite-size pieces and add them to a mixing bowl.
- Add the flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract to the apples. Toss until evenly coated and set aside.
- Roll out the pie crust slightly if needed. Using a biscuit or round cookie cutter, cut out circles — two per pie. Repeat until the dough is used up (about 16 circles for 8 pies).
- Spoon a couple of tablespoons of apple filling into the center of half the circles, leaving a border. Top each with a second circle.
- Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal. Cut two small slits in the top of each pie to vent steam.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg and heavy cream together. Brush over the tops of the pies, then sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
- Arrange the pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding. Air fry at 330°F for 4–6 minutes, until golden and crisp. Check near the end and cook in batches if needed.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, then plate, serve, and enjoy.
Equipment
- Biscuit or round cookie cutter
- Pastry Brush
- Mixing Bowls
Notes
- Don’t crowd the basket — air must circulate for the crust to crisp.
- Oven method: Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
- Puff pastry: Substitute thawed puff pastry for extra-flaky pies; keep the same cook time.
- Icing option: Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 3–4 tablespoons milk and drizzle over cooled pies.
- Storage: Airtight at room temperature for a few days, or freeze 1–2 months.
Nutrition
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