Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies are so good! If you have been looking for the perfect fall dessert, this is one of my favorites!

With an easy apple pie filling and a tender and flaky crust, this will be one of your favorite Air Fryer Desserts!

Served with a dollop of homemade vanilla ice cream,t his recipe will not disappoint. And as the school year approaches, this is one of my kid’s favorite lunch box snacks! They are so good, and I love sending them off with a couple of them hidden in their lunch boxes.

So, the next time you are looking for a GREAT Air Fryer Apple Dessert, remember this recipe, and I promise if you love homemade apple pie, you will absolutely love these.

If you are looking for other Air Fryer Dessert Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER CARAMEL APPLE DANISH, AIR FRYER CINNAMON STICKY BUNS, AIR FRYER CINNAMON CHURRO BITES, and AIR FRYER APPLE PIE BOMBS.

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies

With only a few pantry and refrigerated items, you can make these in minutes. There is nothing better!

• Apple Pie Filing
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Caramel Sauce
• Apple Pie Spice
• Pie Crust, Homemade or Prepared
• Egg
• Water
• Ground Cinnamon Sugar

How To Make Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies

In a medium bowl, combine apple pie filling, the vanilla extract, 1 tbsp of the caramel sauce, and the apple pie spice.

Set aside. Roll out thawed pie crust on a flat surface – parchment paper works great. Using a biscuit cutter, cookie-cutter, or even a small drinking glass, cut as many circles as you can that will fit into the dough. (I was able to get 12 circles out of one pie crust.)

In a bowl, combine 1 egg and 1 Tbsp of water to make an egg wash. Paint each circle (front & back) with the egg wash using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon. Lay each process back down on the parchment paper.

Place a Tbsp of the apple mixture into the center of each circle, one at a time – until you’ve placed it on six of the twelve circles.  Leave the other six empty (those will be the “tops”).

Please place one of the top circles right on top of an apple-filled circle. Seal the two circles together by running your fingers around the edges.  Use a fork and gently press down on the edges you just sealed with your fingers. This will helpfully seal them and leave a pretty pattern. 

Repeat until you’ve used all 12 circles to make 6 dumplings total. 

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, air fryer setting. Place 4-6 dumplings in the basket (depending on the size). Air fry for about five minutes or until the dumplings are a nice golden brown color. 

Remove from heat and allow to cool. Optional Garnish: Sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar, then drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce!

Pro Tips:

• These are so yummy when they’re still a little warm right on top of some vanilla ice cream. They are also great cold with a cup of coffee in the morning!
• This recipe will work in any Air Fryer, Basket, or Oven Model. Including the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex Plus, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and Mealhty Lid. The cooking time will vary with each air fryer.
• For best results, leave plenty of space around the Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies so they can cook up perfectly.
• Keep any leftovers in the fridge for 4-5 days or freeze them in a plastic bag for 3-4 weeks.

Recipe Notes:

• You can use any dough that you want, either homemade or prepared. Use the leftover dough scraps from cutting out the circles to form new pies.
• Do not overfill the hand pies, otherwise, the filling will overflow, and leak during the cooking process.
• Add a small amount of water, to help seal the edges together. I use a fork, which performs this perfectly.

Recipe Variations:

• While today I used a simple apple pie filling that I purchased, you can also use homemade apple pie filling. The recipe will work the same.
• You can change out the apple pie filling for any pie filling you want, and some great options are peach, blueberry, blackberry, almond, and even cherry pie filling. The recipe and cooking directions will remain the same.
• While I used around biscuit cutter, you can cut these into any shape that you want. For best results, try to make them about the same size, so they cook up simultaneously.

Can I bake hand pies in the oven?

Yes, remember that anything that you make in an oven, you can make in an air fryer, and vice versa.

To cook in the oven, follow the directions below and then place them on a greased baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the oven, preheated at 400 degrees F, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Make Ahead / Storing Instructions

These can easily be made ahead of time and stored. I love to reheat mine in the microwave right before serving. There is nothing better than warm apple hand pies!

If you make these ahead of time, let them cool to room temperature and then place them into an airtight container, and place them on the counter or the refrigerator, where they will stay good for about 1 to 2 days.

To Freeze: Let them cool to room temperature and then place them on a greased baking tray. Place the baking tray into the freezer until the Air Fryer Caramel Apple Hand Pies are frozen solid.

Remove the frozen apple hand pies and place them into a freezer bag or container. They will stay well for about 1 to 2 months.

To use from frozen, either defrost in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

More Air Fryer Apple Recipes:

• AIR FRYER APPLE PIE BAKED APPLES
• AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES
• INSTANT POT APPLESAUCE
• AIR FRYER SAUSAGES WITH ROASTED APPLES AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
• AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES WITH GRANOLA
• EASY AIR FRYER APPLE FRITTERS
• AIR FRYER APPLE CHEDDAR BACON SCONES

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