Craving a cozy fall treat that’s easy to make? These apple hand pies are packed with warm cinnamon-spiced apples, wrapped in a golden, flaky crust, and drizzled with sweet glaze.

We’ll guide you through making these irresistible little pies—perfect for a quick dessert, a surprise in your lunchbox, or a delightful addition to any holiday gathering. The convenience of these hand pies will surely make your life a little easier!

These apple hand pies hold a special place in my heart. I’ve always loved fall—the crisp air, the vibrant leaves, and the joy of bringing in the harvest.

Every fall, my kids and I went apple picking, bundling up in cozy sweaters and wandering through the orchard with baskets.

There was something so satisfying about filling them with crisp, juicy apples, knowing they’d soon be turned into something delicious.

After a day in the orchard, we’d head home and start baking—pies, crisps, and these easy apple hand pies, which wrapped up all the best fall flavors in a perfectly portable treat!

The joy of baking with my kids, the aroma of cinnamon filling the kitchen, and the anticipation of the first bite always made these moments special.

Why You’ll Love Our Apple Hand Pies

Perfectly portable – Enjoy all the flavors of apple pie in a convenient, handheld size.
Great for any occasion – Ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, or holiday gatherings.
Flaky, buttery crust – Each bite contains warm, cinnamon-spiced apple goodness.
Quick and easy – Bake them in the oven or use an air fryer for a faster treat.
Customizable – Add caramel, nuts, or different spices to make them your own.

Looking for more meal planning help? The Kid-Friendly Recipes resource hub at Rediscovered Families has everything in one place — from recipe collections to holiday treats and fun recipes to make together.

Jump to recipe

Ingredients Needed

For the Filling:

Granny Smith apples – Tart and firm, these apples add a bright contrast to the sweetness of the filling.
Honeycrisp apple – Naturally sweet and juicy, it balances the tartness of the Granny Smith apples.
Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps draw out the juices from the apples.
Brown sugar – Provides a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
Ground cinnamon – Enhances the warm, cozy flavor of the filling.
Lemon juice – Prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness.
Butter – Adds richness and helps soften the apples while cooking.
Pie crust – Acts as a base for the apple hand pies. Make your own or buy them ready-made.
Egg – An egg wash to give the pies a golden, shiny finish.

For the Glaze:

Powdered sugar – The base of the glaze adds sweetness and a smooth texture.
Milk – Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Vanilla extract – Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the glaze.

Learn More About Apples: The Food Network has a helpful article about what apples to use for baking, and the USDA explains the grades and standards of apples.

Instructions

1. Make the Filling

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
Cook for 5-7 minutes until apples soften slightly.
Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Prepare the Dough

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the pie crust and cut it into 4-5 inch circles. Half of these circles will be the base, and the other half will be the tops.

3. Assemble the Hand Pies

Place a spoonful of apple filling in the center of the bottom circles.
Top with remaining dough circles and press edges to seal.
Crimp edges with a fork and cut small slits on top for steam release.
Brush with beaten egg.

4. Bake the Pies

Arrange pies on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Let cool slightly before glazing.

5. Make the Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle over cooled hand pies and let set.

How to Cook Apple Hand Pies in the Air Fryer

Want a quicker way to bake your apple hand pies? The air fryer gives them a perfectly golden, flaky crust in just minutes!

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for about 5 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Place two pies in the basket, making sure they aren’t touching.
Air fry for about 10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Repeat with the remaining pies. If your air fryer basket is large, you can cook more at once if they have space to crisp up evenly.

This method delivers a crisp, bakery-style crust without turning on the oven!

This recipe is part of my Quick and Easy Family Recipes collection — your go-to hub for simple, comforting meals for busy school nights.

Apple Hand Pies Recipe

Our apple hand pies feature a flaky crust filled with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a sweet glaze, making them the perfect handheld treat.

Prep Time15

Active Time25

cool time10

Total Time50

Yield: 12 hand pies

Calories: 215kcal

Ingredients

For the Filling

2 smaller Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced
1 Honeycrisp apple peeled, cored, and diced
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

For the Pies

2 sheets of store-bought pie crust
1 egg beaten (for egg wash)

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Apple Filling

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the apples have softened slightly.
Remove from heat and let the filling cool.

Assemble And Bake The Hand Pies

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the store-bought pie crust and cut out circles (about 4-5 inches in diameter) using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass.
Place a spoonful of apple filling in the center of one dough circle.
Top with a second dough circle, gently pressing down around the edges to seal.
Crimp the edges with a fork to fully seal the pie.
Brush the tops with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
Use a small knife to cut two small slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape while baking.
Place the assembled hand pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Prepare the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled hand pies and allow it to set for a few minutes.

Notes

Cooking Apple Hand Pies In The Air Fryer
1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for about 5 minutes.
2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place two pies in the basket, making sure they aren’t touching.
4. Air fry for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
5. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool.
6. Repeat with the remaining pies. If your air fryer basket is large, you can cook more at once as long as they have space to crisp up evenly.
This method delivers a crisp, bakery-style crust without turning on the oven!

Tips for Making Apple Hand Pies

Keep the dough cold – Chilled dough is easier to work with and bakes up flakier.
Don’t overfill – Too much filling can cause the pies to leak while baking.
Seal the edges well – Use a fork to crimp the edges tightly to keep the filling inside.
Cut slits on top – This allows steam to escape and prevents soggy crusts.
Let them cool before glazing – The glaze sets better on cooled pies.

Apple hand pies are the perfect way to enjoy all the cozy flavors of apple pie in a handheld treat. Whether you bake them for a snack, dessert, or special occasion, they will surely be a hit. Print the recipe and try it. Don’t forget to save the pin so you can return to this post! I’d love to hear about your baking adventures with this recipe, so feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below.