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To make these tasty air fryer apple hand pies, you need a few key ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed - 4-6 tablespoons ice-cold water - 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 egg (for egg wash) - Sugar for sprinkling on top Having these ingredients ready makes the process smooth and fun. The flour, salt, and sugar form the base for the crust. Chilled butter keeps the crust flaky. The ice-cold water helps bind the dough without warming it up too much. For the filling, the apples bring sweetness and texture, while spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and depth. Lemon juice balances the sweetness and keeps the apples fresh. You can find the Full Recipe at the end of this article. Enjoy crafting these delightful treats! To start, we need to make the pie crust. First, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Mix these dry ingredients well. Next, take 1/2 cup of unsalted butter. Make sure it is chilled and cubed. Add the butter to the dry mix. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until it looks like coarse crumbs. Now, we need to form the dough. Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix it until the dough comes together. Form it into a ball, then wrap it in plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step helps keep the crust flaky. Now, let’s prepare the apple filling. Grab a bowl and add 2 large apples. Make sure they are peeled, cored, and diced. I like using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for their tartness. Next, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix everything well. Let this sit for a moment. This allows the spices to blend into the apples. Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface. Aim for about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut circles about 4-5 inches wide. Take a circle and place about a tablespoon of the apple mixture in the center. Fold the dough over to make a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a nice look. Before air frying, brush the top of each pie with a beaten egg. This gives it a golden color. Sprinkle a little sugar on top for sweetness and crunch. Now it's time to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the hand pies in a single layer in the basket. You may need to do this in batches. Cook for 10-12 minutes. They should turn golden brown and crispy. Enjoy your delicious apple hand pies! For the full recipe, refer to the instructions provided above. Chilled ingredients are key for great dough. Cold butter creates a flaky texture. When you blend the butter, do it quickly. You want small pieces, not mush. Avoid overmixing your dough. Mix until it just holds together. If you mix too long, the dough gets tough. That’s not what you want for your hand pies. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This step helps the hand pies cook evenly. If you skip preheating, the pies might cook unevenly. Cook in batches for the best crispiness. Lay the hand pies in a single layer. If you stack them, they won’t get crispy. You want that perfect golden brown crust. For the full recipe, check the complete guide on how to make these tasty treats. {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your air fryer apple hand pies. Adding different spices can bring new life to this recipe. Try mixing in some ground ginger for warmth or a pinch of allspice for depth. You can also fold in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. This adds texture and a nice crunch. Using other fruits can make your hand pies unique. Pears, for example, blend well with apples. You could also use berries like blueberries or raspberries. These fruits add sweetness and a bit of tartness. Just remember to adjust the sugar if the fruit is very sweet. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free flour. Blending almond flour with coconut flour works well. This gives a nice flavor and texture too. Store-bought dough is another quick option. It saves time if you want to skip making dough from scratch. However, homemade dough can taste better. You control the ingredients and flavors. Plus, making dough can be fun! Whether you choose store-bought or homemade, the taste will still be delicious. Try both to see which you like best. To keep your hand pies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from getting soggy or stale. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to enjoy them later, freezing is a great option. Wrap each pie in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. To restore crispiness, reheat your hand pies in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Heat them for about 5 minutes or until they are warm and crispy again. You can also use an oven. Place them on a baking sheet and heat at the same temperature for 10 minutes. Avoid using the microwave as it may make them soggy. Yes, you can use different apples! Some great choices are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji. Granny Smith gives a tart flavor. Honeycrisp adds sweetness and crunch. Fuji apples are sweet and juicy, making them perfect for hand pies. Mixing different apples can create a unique flavor profile. Just remember to peel and core the apples before using them in your filling. You will know the hand pies are done when they turn golden brown. Look for a crispy crust on the outside. The filling should be bubbling slightly at the edges. If you press gently, the hand pies should feel firm but not hard. This shows that the inside is cooked well. Let them cool a bit before biting in, as the filling will be hot. Absolutely, you can prepare the filling ahead of time! Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to two days. This saves you time on busy days. When you're ready, just fill the dough with the cold mixture. If you freeze the filling, let it thaw before using. This way, you can enjoy fresh hand pies whenever you want! For the full recipe, check out the detailed steps above. To make these air fryer apple hand pies, gather the following items: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed - 4-6 tablespoons ice-cold water - 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 egg (for egg wash) - Sugar for sprinkling on top These ingredients create a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. The apples give a soft, juicy filling. The spices add warmth and depth. The crust is flaky and crisp, thanks to the chilled butter and cold water. You can use Granny Smith apples for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness. Mix and match to suit your taste. To make the filling even better, add some lemon juice. It brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness. You can also adjust the spices to your liking. Adding chopped nuts can give extra texture. Every bite will be a treat. For the crust, use chilled butter. This keeps the dough from becoming too warm and sticky. Cold water helps form a flaky crust. Remember, don’t overmix! You want the dough to be light and airy. Now, with the ingredients ready, you can follow the full recipe to create these delicious treats. Enjoy the process and the tasty results! In this blog post, we covered how to make delicious hand pies. You learned about the key ingredients: flour, butter, apples, and spices. I shared step-by-step instructions, tips for perfect dough, and air fryer secrets. We also explored variations with different flavors and storage tips. Making hand pies can be fun and rewarding. Enjoy your tasty treats with friends and family!

Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies

Indulge in the delightful taste of crispy air fryer apple hand pies! With a flaky crust and a warm, spiced apple filling, these easy-to-make treats are perfect for any occasion. Discover step-by-step instructions that will guide you from mixing the dough to air frying the perfect pies. Perfect for a snack or dessert, your family will love these delicious hand pies. Click to explore the full recipe and treat yourself!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

4-6 tablespoons ice-cold water

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 egg (for egg wash)

Sugar for sprinkling on top

Instructions
 

Make the Pie Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled, cubed butter and mix with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

    Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

      Prepare the Apple Filling: In a bowl, combine the diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Mix well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.

        Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut circles (about 4-5 inches in diameter).

          Assemble the Hand Pies: Place about a tablespoon of the apple mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges together. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a sealed look.

            Prepare for Air Frying: Brush the top of each hand pie with the beaten egg for a nice golden color. Sprinkle a little sugar on top for added sweetness and crunch.

              Air Fry the Pies: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the hand pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches). Cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

                Serve: Allow the hand pies to cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

                  Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 6