These easy apple hand pies are filled with warm baked apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. They’re quick to make and can be baked in about 30 minutes. This recipe is flexible — it can be adapted to be gluten-free, vegan, or refined sugar-free.
Perfect for fall, these mini hand pies are ideal for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or any gathering where you want a seasonal, portable dessert.
This recipe is also a great way to use up extra apples after a trip to the orchard or a grocery run. For convenience, use a store-bought pie crust or make your own if you prefer a homemade touch.
These hand pies are not overly sweet and are delicious on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A sprinkle of coarse sugar on top adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle.
Easy Apple Hand Pies, a Simple and Festive Fall Treat!
Welcome these flaky apple hand pies into your baking rotation. Each pie is filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in a golden, flaky crust and finished with small decorative cutouts for a seasonal look.
They’re satisfying enough for breakfast and sweet enough for dessert — a versatile recipe that works any time of day.
Why Hand Pies Are Better Than Regular Pies
Hand pies are a compact, less-messy alternative to a traditional pie slice. They’re portable, individually portioned, and hold up well for packing in lunches or taking on picnics. The crust decorations add a charming fall detail without extra effort.
How To Make Easy Apple Hand Pies
Make these caramel-style apple hand pies in a few straightforward steps.
Step 1: Peel and dice 3–4 small apples into small cubes (about 3 heaping cups). In a small bowl, combine the diced 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, caramel-like finish.
Step 2: Cook the apple mixture in a small pot over low to medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Simmer until the apples begin to soften, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
Step 3: Roll out three circular pie crusts and cut each in half to create six semicircles. Reserve one piece for cut-out decorations. Spoon about 3 heaping tablespoons of the apple filling onto one side of each semicircle.
Step 4: Lightly brush the crust 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 on top of each hand pie so steam can escape while baking.
Step 5: Brush the tops with egg wash and add decorative cutouts if desired. Sprinkle each hand pie with coarse turbinado sugar or granulated sugar for color and crunch. This recipe yields five personal-sized hand pies.
Step 6: Bake at 375°F until the crusts are golden brown, about 25–30 minutes. Allow the pies to cool briefly before serving warm.
Everything You’ll Need
- Apples: Any variety will work; Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith are great choices.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a caramel-like depth to the filling.
- Cinnamon: Provides classic warmth and aroma.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the filling with subtle acidity.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it sets well inside the crust.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and improves texture.
- Pie Crusts: Store-bought or homemade — a flaky buttery crust is best.
- Egg Wash: One egg yolk mixed with water gives a golden finish.
- Turbinado Sugar: For topping and added crunch; granulated sugar works as a substitute.
Need to Make a Substitution?
Apple varieties: Use whatever apples you have on hand. For a balance of sweetness and tartness, try Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith.
No turbinado sugar? Granulated sugar makes a fine alternative for sprinkling the tops.
Gluten-free? Use a gluten-free pie crust or a gluten-free all-purpose flour crust if you need a gluten-free version.
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, tag @bakedabundance on Instagram and leave a comment or rating for the recipe. Enjoy!
Recipe
Easy Apple Hand Pies
Mini apple hand pies filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples and baked until golden. A quick, portable fall dessert that’s easy to customize.
- Author: Marley Braunlich
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 personal pies
- Category: Pies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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 in half to make 6 pieces)
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon water (egg wash)
- 3 tablespoons coarse turbinado sugar, for topping (or granulated sugar)
Instructions
- Dice 3–4 peeled apples and add to a small pot with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, cornstarch, and butter.
- Cook over low to medium heat, stirring often, until apples begin to soften, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut three circular pie crusts in half to make 6 pieces. Reserve one piece for decorations. Place about 3 tablespoons of filling on one side of each piece.
- Fold over the crust and seal the edges with a fork. Cut a few small slits on top of each pie for steam to escape.
- Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with turbinado or granulated sugar, and bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Turbinado sugar substitute: granulated sugar works well for topping.
- Vegan/dairy-free: use vegan butter in the filling and brush the tops with a little non-dairy milk instead of egg wash; avoid soaking the crust.
- Refined sugar-free: swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or honey and skip the extra sugar on top. Results may vary, as brown sugar was used in the tested version.