Crispy apple pie bites turn buttery pie dough and gooey homemade apple pie filling into the perfect sweet snack for fall gatherings. Golden-fried and covered with cinnamon sugar, this easy apple dessert tastes just like bite-sized apple pie!
You might also like these easy apple pie cupcakes and mini apple pies.
Who else is excited for apple season? Today’s mini apple pie bites are crispy, deep-fried pockets of refrigerated pie crust stuffed with juicy apple pie filling. They’re fun to make and a delicious fall dessert recipe that’s great for entertaining.
I originally made these pie bites with a can of Lucky Leaf pie filling. I’ve since updated the recipe to use a batch of my homemade apple pie filling along with some additional FAQs and tips. Canned pie filling can still be used as a shortcut if you need it.
Serve these warm, topped with ice cream and drizzled with salted caramel sauce. Or, pile your crispy apple pie bites onto a Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert board with your favorite holiday cookies, reindeer chow, and peanut clusters. Add a bowl of whipped cream or frosting for dipping!
Ingredient Notes
Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to make these easy apple pie bites with homemade filling. Scroll to the recipe card after the post for the full amounts and recipe details.
- Pie Crust – I use premade pie crust, but you can use a double recipe of my homemade pie crust if you prefer a from-scratch version. I also have a gluten-free pie crust if needed.
- Cinnamon Sugar – Easy to make by combining granulated sugar with ground cinnamon (I combine ⅓ cup of cinnamon with ½ cup of sugar for this recipe). Or you can use store-bought.
- Apples – My favorite is Granny Smith. Other baking apples, like Gala, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady, also work well. Peel and then dice the apples into dime-sized chunks.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed. For a brighter flavor, zest the lemon before juicing it and add the zest into your pie filling, too.
- Maple Syrup – Honey will work here, too, but I always love adding maple syrup to my apple pie filling along with extra cinnamon.
- Flour – You could also thicken the filling with cornstarch. Use about half as much cornstarch as flour in this case.
How to Make Apple Pie Bites
Take your dough circle, fold it in half, then pinch the edges! Similar to wrapping dumplings, once you get the hang of filling and folding them, these apple pie bites are really very simple to make.
Make them Larger
These are meant to be bite-sized and make a large batch, but if you prefer large ones, similar to Apple Hand Pie , skip the step of cutting the circles in half. You should be able to fill then with 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons of filling. You may need an additional minute or two of frying.
- First, make the apple pie filling. Squeeze a lemon over the diced apples, then combine the dry ingredients, add them to the apples, and toss to coat. Stir in the maple syrup. Next, cook the apple filling over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and caramelized. Sprinkle in a little water if you notice the apples are sticking. Afterward, set the filling aside to cool.
- Cut out the pie dough. Next, roll out the pie crust and cut it into circles, then cut the circles into half moons. The circle cutter I used was 3 ¼ inches. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter or cookie cutter to cut out the pie crust, use a glass that’s close in size. You can re-roll and cut the scraps until you run out of dough.
- Fill the dough. Starting with one half-moon, spoon about ½ teaspoon of pie filling into the center of the dough. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch it closed with your fingers. A spoon or butter knife can help hold the dumplings closed while you seal the edges. When all the dumplings are sealed, you’re ready to fry.
- Preheat the oil. Heat cooking oil to 350-375°F in a pot or the deep fryer. I usually do this while I assemble my pie bites. A candy thermometer makes it easy to track the temperature. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the bites won’t crisp up, and if it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the crust cooks through.
- Carefully fry the dough. Gently lower your first batch of pie bites into the hot oil. I like to wear oven mitts to protect my hands from splatters. Fry the bites for 30 seconds per side, using tongs or a wooden spoon to turn them over once the first side is browned. Since the filling inside is already cooked, the crust will fry quickly! Afterward, move the fried apple pie bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
Coating the Bites in Cinnamon Sugar
The cinnamon sugar makes these almost like a cross between elephant ears (the deep-fried dough you find at fairgrounds) and apple hand pies. Your pie bites will be that much better for it!
- The easiest way to coat the fried apple pie bites is to combine the cinnamon and sugar in a large Ziploc bag.
- Once you have a dozen or so deep-fried pie bites ready, brush them with melted butter, and seal them in the bag with the cinnamon sugar.
- Shake until they’re fully coated. Then, remove the bites from the bag and serve.
Optional Oven Method
If you’d prefer to bake your apple pie bites instead of frying, arrange the filled bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the bites with an egg wash, and bake at 375ºF. Check the bites after 15 minutes, adding time as necessary until the crusts are golden brown. Afterward, toss the baked apple pie bites with cinnamon sugar as directed. Also try these crispy baked apple pie egg rolls.
Tips For the Best Apple Pie Bites
- You may have leftover pie filling. I had about ¼ cup of pie filling leftover after filling my apple pie bites (perfect for apple pie filling dip!) or add on top of your pancakes.
- Halve the recipe. If you don’t need as many bites, you can use only one pie crust instead of two for this recipe. In that case, halve the filling recipe.
- What’s the best oil for frying? Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil, to fry these apple pie bites. Other oils, like olive oil, will burn and turn rancid at high temperatures.
- Serve them right away. I recommend eating the apple pie bites soon after frying. They taste best when they’re fresh
FAQ
I used two refrigerated pie crusts to make about 57 apple pie bites. After cutting out the dough, I re-rolled and cut it out again until nearly all of it was used.
Yes! You can fill these pie bites with any store-bought or homemade pie filling, such as cherry, strawberry, blueberry, or peach pie. Try pumpkin pie bites for another fall variation.
Yes. You can bake these apple pie bites in a 375ºF oven for about 15 minutes, though they won’t be quite as crispy as when they’re deep-fried. Afterward, sprinkle or toss the bites with cinnamon sugar. See the Oven Method section for details.
Yes, if you’d like to assemble the apple bites in advance, I recommend storing them before frying. Fill and wrap the apple pie bites as directed. Store the raw bites airtight or covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Fry them when it’s time to serve.
Storage and Freezing
Like most things deep-fried, these apple pie bites are best served right away. The crispy crust becomes stale when stored.
- Storing and reheating leftovers. If you do happen to have leftover fried apple pie bites, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. I recommend reheating these apple pie bites in the oven (or use the air fryer if you have one) to crisp up the outside.
- Freeze them before frying. You could also freeze the uncooked apple pie bites. I suggest pre-freezing them on a baking sheet and then transferring them to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost the bites at room temperature before deep frying.
More Apple Desserts
Apple Pie Bites
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 57 Bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American
Description
These apple pie bites are sweet, golden-fried pockets of refrigerated pie crust filled with gooey apple pie filling and coated with crunchy cinnamon sugar. They taste just like bite-sized apple pies!
Ingredients
Misc Ingredients
- 1 quart vegetable oil
- 2 prepared pie crusts
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cinnamon
Filling Ingredients:
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (28g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon (9g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons (15ml) water
Instructions
Prepare the filling:
- Peel and dice the apples into small pieces (about the size of a dime), squeeze a lemon over top, and stir to combine.
- Combine the dry ingredients and then toss together with the apples until fully coated. Pour the maple syrup over top and gently stir.
- Heat apples on the stove over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until soft. Stir occasionally. You want the apples to be soft. If the apples are sticking to the pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the saucepan as needed. Set aside and allow to cool.
Prepare the pie bites:
- Preheat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Oil should reach temperatures between 350°-375° F. It is best to use a candy thermometer.
- While oil is heating, prepare the pie bites. Remove the pie crust from packaging. Roll out slightly to help thin it out. First, cut circles at least 3.25” in diameter and then cut circles in half. Once I ran out of crust, I combined the leftovers and re-rolled the crust to cut more circles.
- Take one half of the circle and spoon some pie filling into the middle, about ½ teaspoon of filling per bite. Use your fingers to pinch the edges to seal. It will be helpful if you have a spoon or butter knife to help keep these stuffed as you are pinching the edges.
- Use extreme caution for the next step. Oil will be very hot. When the oil is heated, carefully place several pie bites in the oil to fry. Use a set of long tongs to turn the pie bites over and the first side begins to turn light brown (about 30 seconds per side).
- After each side is browned, use tongs to remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to cool to the touch.
- In a large Ziploc bag, combine cinnamon and sugar. Once you have about a dozen pie bites, brush each side of the pie bites with melted butter using a pastry brush. Place into the Ziploc bag and seal the bag. Gently shake the bag until pie bites are coated with cinnamon and sugar. Remove from bag and serve. Allow oil to cool completely before cleaning up.
Notes
- You may have leftover pie filling. I had about ¼ cup of pie filling leftover after filling my apple pie bites (perfect for apple pie filling dip!) or add on top of your pancakes.
- Halve the recipe for. smaller batch. If you don’t need as many bites, you can use only one pie crust instead of two for this recipe. In that case, halve the filling recipe.
- These are meant to be bite-sized and make a large batch, but if you prefer large ones, skip the step of cutting the circles in half. You should be able to fill them with 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons of filling. You may need an additional minute or two of frying.
- Pie filling: You can use any store-bought or homemade pie filling, such as cherry, strawberry, blueberry, or peach pie. Try pumpkin pie bites for another fall variation.
- Baked, not fried. You can bake these apple pie bites in a 375ºF oven for about 15 minutes, though they won’t be quite as crispy as when they’re deep-fried. Afterward, sprinkle or toss the bites with cinnamon sugar. See the Oven Method section for details.
Could an air fryer be used for this?
Hi Mae- I’ve never used an air fryer, so I can’t say for certain but I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to? As long as the crust doesn’t stick to the rack?
I loved these so much I want to make a batch for Thanksgiving. Could you prep them a day ahead of time and then do the frying the next day?
Sorry Mindy, I missed this comment. I think so as long as your dough stays attached.
This was delicious. Apples were on sale so I made my own filling and used store bought crust.
I skipped the butter brushing step before the cinnamon sugar and they were still amazing. I will definitely make again.
Yaaaaas Mindy! That is awesome!
Not much of a filling . Very messy to make . I will not make again
Hi there, I am sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe. You could certainly make larger pie crust circles. These are meant to be bite-sized so you would need to chop the apple pieces pretty small.
Could you use puff pastry for the crust?
That looks really delicious! I love me some deep fried dessert.
Same here! Thanks!
You had me at deep-fried and apple pie! I’m going to give this recipe a try for sure. Thank you.
These look yummy, but I am confused, Do you place another half circle on top of the one you fill, or just pinch the one half circle? Thank you!
Hi Kathy! You take your circle and fold it in half, pinch the edges!
Can they be baked instead of fried? And how long should they be baked if they are baked instead?
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Okay, these look awesome. The things I would do for a plate of these right now…
Haha! Love it!
Hi, there! I’m doing an apple roundup on my blog, and I’m including these… I stumbled across them on Pinterest, and I’m so glad that I did! I am linking back (with just one photo used) to your site. I’m also a new follower, so I’ll be sure not to miss any posts. These look fabulous!
These look AMAZING! That cinnamon sugar coating is calling my name! I’m getting into the fall flavors too – lovin’ me some apple! 🙂
Totally calling your name!
Oh, now these look good and how clever! I think I may lose to you in this Lucky Leaf contest. 😉
Thank you so much for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!
HHAHA Thanks Carrie! It was a fun contest!
These look so good! I love that they are rolled in cinnamon sugar! That probably gives them a taste like an elephant ear? Just guessing, but plan on finding out on my own very soon! Yum!
HAHA The cinnamon sugar rolling I guess could be considered option, but who doesn’t want more cinnamon and sugar in their apple pie?
OH how yummy!!!
Thanks! 🙂
Triple A! Apple-lisious Amazing Creation! Oh wait. Double A & a C!! Nice!
Thanks Debbie!
Congratulations Julianne! I have nominated your amazing blog for the Versatile Blogger Award. If interested, please pick up your award here: http://sweetbakedlife.com/2013/08/25/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Thank you Sheila 🙂
looks so yumm! saw you on the blog hop
Wow, a few of these would make my morning coffee routine quite memorable!!
Oh my gosh- that’s a great idea!
These sound like a great change of pace from regular apple pie, but i am leery about the 1/4 CUP cinnamon called for in the coating. That much?????
It’s the standard amount to mix with 1/2 cup of sugar.