Description
These fried apple pies are a delicious McDonald's copycat featuring a homemade apple filling with a blend of warm spices encased in flaky pastry and deep fried to golden perfection. Served with cinnamon sugar and optional caramel sauce, they make a perfect indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 17.3 ounce box puff pastry sheets, thawed
Apple Filling
- 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided use
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for mixing with sugar)
Other
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
- Oil for frying
- Caramel sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry: Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 4 equal pieces and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for easy handling and chilling.
- Cook Apple Filling: Combine apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes until the apples become tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the butter to enrich the filling.
- Thicken Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Add this to the apple mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes until the filling thickens nicely. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Assemble Pies: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cooled apple filling onto one side of each puff pastry piece. Brush the edges with water, fold the pastry over to form a rectangle, and press the edges with a fork to seal securely.
- Chill Pies: Place the assembled pies on the sheet pan and freeze for 20 minutes to firm up before frying. This helps maintain shape during cooking.
- Heat Oil: Heat at least 3 inches of oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring proper frying temperature.
- Fry Pies: Fry 2-3 pies at a time for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and the pastry is fully cooked, turning if necessary for even browning.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: While frying, mix granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Finish Pies: Remove fried pies using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Immediately sprinkle cinnamon sugar over each pie so it sticks while warm.
- Serve: Let pies cool slightly and serve warm with optional caramel sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- For convenience, canned apple pie filling can be used instead of making the filling from scratch without compromising much on flavor.
- Use a frying or candy thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for safe and even frying.
- Drain fried pies on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Ensure the oil volume is sufficient to submerge the pies fully but not so much that it risks spilling or bubbling over.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
