Golden Crispy Delight: Mastering the Art of Fried Apple Pies
Fried apple pies are a comforting classic, perfect for cool evenings, holiday gatherings, or simply a sweet treat any time of year. This recipe elevates the humble apple pie into a hand-held, crispy, and utterly irresistible delight. Get ready to learn how to make the best fried apple pies you’ve ever tasted! We’ll cover everything from the perfect crust to the most flavorful filling, ensuring your success from start to finish.
## Why Fried Apple Pies?
While baked apple pie holds a special place in our hearts, fried apple pies offer a unique textural experience. The crispy, golden-brown crust gives way to a warm, spiced apple filling, creating a delightful contrast that’s hard to resist. They’re also portable and individually portioned, making them ideal for parties and on-the-go snacking. Plus, the frying process adds a richness and depth of flavor that baking simply can’t replicate.
## The Key to Perfect Fried Apple Pies: Crust and Filling
The success of your fried apple pies hinges on two crucial elements: a flaky, tender crust and a flavorful, well-balanced filling. Let’s dive into each of these in detail.
### Mastering the Pie Crust
A homemade pie crust makes all the difference. While store-bought crust can work in a pinch, the flavor and texture of a freshly made crust are far superior. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect pie crust for frying:
**Ingredients:**
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 6-8 tablespoons ice water
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Cut in the fats:** Add the cold butter and shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter and shortening remaining. It’s crucial that the fats stay cold; otherwise, they will melt and result in a tough crust. Work quickly to prevent the fats from warming up.
3. **Add ice water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Continue adding water until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix; a few dry spots are okay.
4. **Form the dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into two equal disks. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days). This chilling period allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
5. **Roll out the dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter or a bowl to cut out circles of dough. Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as needed. You should get approximately 12-16 circles from this recipe.
**Tips for a Perfect Pie Crust:**
* **Keep everything cold:** Use cold ingredients, including the butter, shortening, and water. This prevents the fats from melting and ensures a flaky crust.
* **Don’t overmix:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
* **Rest the dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out and preventing it from shrinking during frying.
* **Handle the dough gently:** Avoid stretching or pulling the dough as you roll it out, as this can also make it tough.
### Crafting the Irresistible Apple Filling
The apple filling is where you can really let your creativity shine. Use a combination of apple varieties for the best flavor and texture. Here’s a classic apple pie filling recipe that’s sure to please:
**Ingredients:**
* 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
2. **Cook the filling:** In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened slightly, about 8-10 minutes. The apples should still have some bite to them; you don’t want them to be mushy.
3. **Add lemon juice:** Stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat. Let the filling cool completely before using it to fill the pie crusts.
**Tips for a Flavorful Apple Filling:**
* **Use a variety of apples:** Different apple varieties offer different flavors and textures. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite.
* **Don’t overcook the filling:** Overcooked apples will become mushy and lose their flavor. Cook the filling until the apples are softened but still have some bite.
* **Adjust the sweetness to your taste:** If you prefer a sweeter filling, add more sugar. If you prefer a tarter filling, reduce the sugar or add more lemon juice.
* **Add other spices:** Feel free to experiment with other spices, such as ginger, cloves, or cardamom.
## Assembling and Frying the Apple Pies
Now that you have your pie crust and apple filling ready, it’s time to assemble and fry the pies. Here’s how:
**Ingredients:**
* Prepared pie crust circles
* Prepared apple filling
* 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
* Vegetable oil or shortening, for frying
* Granulated sugar or powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Fill the pies:** Place a tablespoon or two of apple filling in the center of each pie crust circle. Be careful not to overfill, or the pies will be difficult to seal.
2. **Seal the edges:** Brush the edges of the pie crust circles with the beaten egg. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges together firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure a tight seal. This prevents the filling from leaking out during frying.
3. **Fry the pies:** Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil or shortening in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the pies into the hot oil, a few at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain.
4. **Dust with sugar (optional):** While the pies are still warm, dust them with granulated sugar or powdered sugar, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
**Tips for Frying the Perfect Apple Pies:**
* **Use a thermometer:** A thermometer is essential for maintaining the correct oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the pies will burn on the outside before the filling is heated through. If the oil is too cold, the pies will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
* **Don’t overcrowd the pot:** Overcrowding the pot will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy pies. Fry the pies in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
* **Drain the pies well:** Drain the pies on a wire rack lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
* **Serve immediately:** Fried apple pies are best served warm and fresh. The crust will lose its crispness as it sits.
## Variations and Additions
Once you’ve mastered the basic fried apple pie recipe, feel free to experiment with different variations and additions. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
* **Add nuts:** Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the apple filling for extra flavor and texture.
* **Add dried fruit:** Add dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots to the apple filling for a chewy texture and a burst of flavor.
* **Add caramel:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the finished pies for an extra decadent treat.
* **Add cheese:** Top the warm pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
* **Use different fruit:** Try using other fruits, such as peaches, berries, or cherries, in place of the apples.
* **Make mini pies:** Use a smaller cookie cutter to make mini fried apple pies, perfect for parties and snacks.
* **Spice it up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the apple filling for a subtle kick of heat.
* **Glaze them:** Prepare a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice, and drizzle it over the cooled fried pies.
## Troubleshooting Common Fried Apple Pie Problems
Even with the best recipes, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common fried apple pie problems and how to fix them:
* **Pies are soggy:** This is usually caused by frying the pies at too low of a temperature or overcrowding the pot. Make sure the oil is at 350°F (175°C) and fry the pies in batches.
* **Pies are burnt on the outside but not cooked through:** This is usually caused by frying the pies at too high of a temperature. Reduce the heat and fry the pies for a longer time.
* **Filling is leaking out of the pies:** This is usually caused by not sealing the edges of the pies tightly enough. Brush the edges with egg wash and press them together firmly. You can also use a fork to crimp the edges.
* **Crust is tough:** This is usually caused by overmixing the dough or not chilling it for long enough. Don’t overmix the dough, and chill it for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
* **Filling is too runny:** This is usually caused by not cooking the filling long enough. Cook the filling until it has thickened slightly.
## Serving Suggestions
Fried apple pies are delicious on their own, but they’re even better with a few accompaniments. Here are some serving suggestions:
* **Vanilla ice cream:** A classic pairing that never fails to please.
* **Whipped cream:** A light and airy topping that complements the richness of the pies.
* **Caramel sauce:** A decadent drizzle that adds extra sweetness and flavor.
* **Cinnamon sugar:** A simple and classic topping that enhances the spice of the filling.
* **Hot coffee or tea:** A comforting beverage that pairs perfectly with the warm pies.
## Storage Instructions
Fried apple pies are best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the crust will lose some of its crispness.
## Recipe Card: Fried Apple Pies
**Yields:** 12-16 pies
**Prep Time:** 45 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Pie Crust:**
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 6-8 tablespoons ice water
**For the Apple Filling:**
* 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
**For Frying:**
* Prepared pie crust circles
* Prepared apple filling
* 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
* Vegetable oil or shortening, for frying
* Granulated sugar or powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
**Equipment:**
* Large bowl
* Pastry blender or fingertips
* Plastic wrap
* Rolling pin
* 4-inch round cookie cutter or bowl
* Large saucepan
* Slotted spoon
* Wire rack
* Paper towels
* Thermometer
**Instructions:**
**Make the Pie Crust:**
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Add the cold butter and shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter and shortening remaining.
3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Continue adding water until the dough just comes together.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into two equal disks. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter or a bowl to cut out circles of dough. Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as needed.
**Make the Apple Filling:**
1. In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened slightly, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat. Let the filling cool completely before using it to fill the pie crusts.
**Assemble and Fry the Apple Pies:**
1. Place a tablespoon or two of apple filling in the center of each pie crust circle.
2. Brush the edges of the pie crust circles with the beaten egg. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges together firmly to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch.
3. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil or shortening in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
4. Carefully place the pies into the hot oil, a few at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pies from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain.
6. While the pies are still warm, dust them with granulated sugar or powdered sugar, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
## Conclusion
Fried apple pies are a delightful treat that’s sure to impress your family and friends. With this detailed guide, you’ll be able to master the art of making these golden, crispy delights in your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy the best fried apple pies you’ve ever tasted!
Enjoy!