Mini Fried Apple Hand Pies: A Tiny Slice of Heaven 🍎✨
(Narrated by four friends: Tony, the Leader; Ben, the Comedian; Eric, the Perfectionist; and Sam, the Shortcut Master.)
Tony: “Alright, team! Today we’re frying up Mini Apple Hand Pies. Think crispy, flaky, and filled with cinnamon-spiced apple goodness. Let’s get cooking!”
Ben: “Mini pies? Sounds like an excuse to eat more without guilt. I’m in.”
Eric: “We’re doing this right, no cutting corners. Perfect pies or nothing.”
Sam: “Or… we cut some corners and still eat them. Let’s go!”
Scaled-Down Ingredients (Makes 4 Mini Hand Pies):
For the Dough:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1–2 tsp cold water
For the Filling:
- 1/4 cup finely diced apple (peeled)
- 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp butter
For Frying:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
For Optional Glaze:
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp milk
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Dough
Tony: “Mix the flour and salt in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.”
Eric: “Add cold water, one teaspoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Wrap it and chill for 15 minutes.”
Ben: “Chill? Like, in the fridge or on the couch? Asking for a friend.”
Sam: “Or just use pre-made pie dough. Easy peasy.”
Step 2: Make the Filling
Tony: “In a small skillet, melt the butter and add the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 3–4 minutes until soft but not mushy.”
Ben: “Cinnamon? Nutmeg? This smells like fall in a pan!”
Eric: “Let the filling cool completely. Warm filling equals soggy dough. We’re not here for soggy pies.”
Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough
Tony: “Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out four small circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass.”
Sam: “Or just wing it and make funky shapes. Who’s judging?”
Eric: “Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each circle. Don’t overfill—it’ll leak during frying.”
Ben: “Fold them in half and seal the edges with a fork. Fancy crimping for the win!”
Step 4: Fry the Hand Pies
Tony: “Heat the oil in a small skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pies one or two at a time for 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown.”
Ben: “Golden brown? I’ll take slightly burnt for ‘extra crispy.’”
Eric: “Drain them on paper towels to keep them crisp.”
Step 5: Optional Glaze
Sam: “Mix powdered sugar and milk for a quick glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled pies for extra sweetness.”
Ben: “Or skip the glaze and just sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Less work, same result.”
Tips for Mini Apple Hand Pie Success:
- Tony: “Work quickly with the dough to keep it cold—it’s the key to flaky pies.”
- Eric: “Let the filling cool completely before assembling to avoid soggy dough.”
- Sam: “If frying feels like too much, bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes.”
Tony: “And there you have it—Mini Fried Apple Hand Pies! Perfectly crispy, sweet, and totally worth the effort.”
Ben: “Or worth skipping some steps. Either way, they’re delicious.”
Sam: “Pin this recipe, make it, and enjoy these tiny treats any time!”
#MiniAppleHandPies #TinyDessertsBigFlavor #FallBakingGoals
