Hand Apple Pies a Pocketful of Autumn Joy

My GoTo Hand Apple Pies Recipe Autumn in Every Bite

By Sally ThompsonAugust 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of comfort food in a bite? This hand apple pies recipe delivers all the cosy flavours of autumn. Imagine spiced apples nestled in a buttery, flaky crust.

Brief Overview

Hand pies are thought to have originated as a convenient way for workers to take their meals with them. This version is easy enough for a weekend bake.

It takes about 1 hour 50 minutes including chilling. This recipe makes 8 little pies.

Main Benefits

Apples are packed with fiber. This hand apple pies recipe provides a delicious way to enjoy them. Serve these little beauties at your next picnic or bake sale.

The flaky crust and warm filling make it truly special.

Easy Peasy Hand Apple Pies?

Honestly, who doesn't love apple pie? But sometimes, you just can't be bothered with the faff of making a whole one, you know? That's where these apple hand pies come in.

They're like little portable hugs.

These homemade mini apple hand pies are seriously good. Think of them as mini apple pies .

Easy apple hand pies with pie crust will bring joy for the whole family.

What You'll Need

Right, gather your kit. You will need flour, butter, apples and spices. Don't forget the egg for that golden glaze. It's all pretty standard baking stuff, nothing too fancy.

Time to Get Started: Ingredients & Equipment

Ready to bake some seriously delicious pocket apple pies ? Before we dive in, let's make sure you have everything you need.

No fancy stuff here, just the essentials for a cracking batch of easy apple hand pies with pie crust .

What You'll Need: The Key Players

Let's gather our ingredients! We're making homemade mini apple hand pies , so quality matters.

All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g) . Go for a good quality, unbleached flour.
Salt: 1 teaspoon (5g) . Just your standard table salt will do.
Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (226g) . This needs to be REALLY cold . Cut into 1/2 inch cubes . The colder, the flakier your crust. Trust me on this.
Ice Water: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Keep it icy! The colder, the better.
Apples: 6 medium (about 700g) . I like using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. They give a great balance of tartness and sweetness. Look for firm apples with no bruises.
Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g) .
All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons (15g) .
Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
Ground Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon (1ml) .
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Freshly squeezed is always best!
Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons (30g) , cut into small pieces.
Large Egg: 1 .
Milk or Water: 1 tablespoon (15ml) .
Turbinado Sugar: (for sprinkling, optional).

Seasoning: That Je ne sais quoi

Okay, so the spices are where the magic happens. We're aiming for that warm, comforting spiced apple hand pies vibe.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg: This is your classic combo. They bring that warm, autumnal flavor.
Lemon Juice: A little bit of acid brightens everything up and keeps the apples from browning.
Quick Swap: Don't have nutmeg? A pinch of allspice will do in a pinch. Honestly, sometimes I just eyeball it and it always turns out great. It's all about that cozy flavour.

Essential Tools: Your Baking Buddies

You don't need a ton of fancy equipment to make these flaky crust apple hand pies . Just the basics.

Food Processor: (Optional) Makes the dough super easy.
Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the filling.
Rolling Pin: To roll out your dough.
4 inch Round Cookie Cutter: or bowl for making pie shapes.
Baking Sheet:
Parchment Paper: No one wants stuck pies.
Fork: For crimping the edges.

That's it! Time to make our Apple Hand Pies

Hand Apple Pies Recipe: Pocket Sized Perfection

Fancy a slice of autumn joy you can hold in your hand? These apple hand pies are the business. They're basically the portable apple pie bites we all need in our lives.

This is an easy individual apple pies recipe and oh so satisfying, trust me. I remember the first time I tried making these, I thought, "This is way easier than a full pie!" And guess what? I was right.

Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

First things first, mise en place is your friend. Peel, core, and dice about 700g of apples. Granny Smiths work great.

Mix them with 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Easy peasy.

To save time, make the dough ahead of time and chill it. Seriously, this is a game changer. And a quick heads-up, always wash your hands before you start.

step-by-step: Pie-Making Made Easy

Here's how we turn those ingredients into deliciousness:

Roll out your chilled dough on a lightly floured surface.
Use a 4 inch cookie cutter to make circles.
Spoon a generous amount of apple filling into each circle.
Fold the dough over to make a half moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork.
Whisk an egg with a splash of milk and brush the tops of the pies. Sprinkle with sugar if you're feeling fancy.
Cut a couple of slits in the top of each pie to let the steam escape.
Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 20- 25 minutes , or until golden brown.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Pie Game

Here is a tip: Always keep the butter cold when making the dough. This ensures that flaky crust, which is essential for perfect flaky crust apple hand pies .

Don't overfill the pies. Trust me, it will make a mess. And a little tip from my gran's cookbook: If your dough is getting too warm, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.

You can prep these in advance and chill before baking too. Great for the homemade mini apple hand pies , right?

With the wonderful and spiced apple hand pies , the beauty of these hand pie recipes is that you can adapt them! You could try different fruits, or even add a bit of spice.

A dash of cardamom with the apples is lovely. The pocket apple pies won't let you down.

So, there you have it. My foolproof method for easy apple hand pies with pie crust . These mini apple pies are the perfect treat, and I hope you love making them as much as I do!

Recipe Notes: Your Guide to Hand Pie Perfection

Alright, so you're ready to tackle this hand apple pies recipe ? Fantastic! Before you preheat that oven, let’s chat about a few bits and bobs that'll help you nail it.

Honestly, even the best recipes sometimes need a little tweaking. I’ve made my fair share of baking blunders, so trust me, these notes are worth a read!

Serving Suggestions: Making Them Look the Business

Think about presentation! A sprinkle of icing sugar dust over these individual apple pies recipe before serving makes them look like they came straight from a fancy bakery.

Oh, and a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream? Absolute game changer. Alternatively, serve warm with a blob of whipped cream.

A nice cup of tea or coffee on the side is practically mandatory, isn't it? This is what makes these portable apple pie bites so appealing.

Storage Tips: Keeping the Goodness Going

Right, so you’ve baked these mini apple pies , but you've got some left over. First, let them cool completely.

Then, pop them in an airtight container. In the fridge, they'll be good for about 3 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap each pocket apple pies individually in cling film, then put them in a freezer bag.

They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake them in a moderate oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through.

Variations: Let's Get Creative!

Fancy a change? Use different apples! Think Braeburn or Pink Lady for a slightly sweeter filling. For a dietary tweak, try using a gluten-free flour blend for the pastry to make these easy apple hand pies with pie crust suitable for gluten-free friends.

Alternatively, swap apples for pears with a dash of ginger.

Nutrition Basics: A Little Treat

Okay, let's be real, these spiced apple hand pies are a treat. But they do contain fiber from the apples and a bit of goodness from the spices.

It’s all about balance, innit? One flaky crust apple hand pies will keep you going till dinner time.

So, there you have it! A few extra tips to make your hand apple pies recipe experience a smashing success. Don't be afraid to experiment and add your own twist. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my pie crust tough? I want lovely, tender hand apple pies recipe results!

Tough pie crust is usually caused by overworking the dough, which develops the gluten too much. Be gentle when mixing the dough, and avoid over kneading it. Also, make sure your butter and water are very cold, as warm butter will lead to a tougher crust.

Chilling the dough is a must, like queuing for Wimbledon tickets, patience is key!

Can I make the dough for these hand apple pies recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, it's highly recommended. You can prepare the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out.

Consider it like batch cooking your Sundays, a great time saver.

My apple filling is too runny. What did I do wrong and how can I fix it?

A runny filling typically means there's too much moisture released from the apples during baking. Make sure you're using the right amount of flour to help absorb the juices. You can also try pre-cooking the apple filling slightly in a saucepan to reduce some of the moisture before filling the pies.

Think of it like giving your apples a head start in the baking Olympics!

How should I store leftover hand apple pies and how long will they last?

Leftover hand pies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

They're still delicious cold, though - perfect for a quick sneaky snack, like a cheeky biscuit with your tea.

Can I use different fruits in this hand apple pies recipe?

Definitely! While this recipe focuses on apples, you can easily adapt it to use other fruits like pears, peaches, or berries. You might need to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the fruit you choose. A crumble with blackberries and apple would be lovely!

Are there any variations I can try for these hand apple pies?

Absolutely! For a twist, consider adding a touch of caramel sauce to the apple filling before baking. You can also experiment with different spices, like a pinch of ground ginger or cloves, for a warmer flavor. If you want to add a nutty flavour, add some chopped pecans or walnuts into the fillings.