Easy Air Fryer Apple Pies

Are you craving a sweet, satisfying dessert but aren’t in the mood for a full-sized pie? These air fryer apple pies are your decadent solution!

These miniature delights bring the classic apple pie flavors straight into your kitchen. But they’re prepped and cooked with a modern, time-saving twist. 

Baked to perfection in your trusty air fryer, these hand pies are a guilt-free indulgence everyone will adore. 

They’re made with just five simple ingredients, but they don’t compromise on taste!

Try this recipe today to satisfy your cravings for a sweet, warm, comforting delight.

Air Fryer Apple Pies

Air fryer apple pies are a delightful twist on the classic dessert we all know and love. Picture this: flaky, golden pastry encasing a warm, spiced apple filling.

The magic starts with ready-made pie crusts encasing a sweet, juicy apple filling. But wait, there’s a twist! 

Instead of a traditional oven, these heavenly morsels are cooked in the air fryer.

These mini pies emerge golden and glossy after a brief sizzle and pop in the air fryer. The result is a crispy, caramelized crust that cracks delightfully, revealing a hearty apple filling.

Ingredients

• Pie crust – This recipe calls for ready-made pie crust to save time and effort. They provide a flaky, butter vessel for your filling.
  
• Apple pie filling – Canned filling contains sliced apples in a sweet, spiced syrup. It’s a quick and easy way to get the traditional flavor of apple pie.
  
• Egg – It’s beaten and brushed on top of the pies before they’re baked. It gives the pies a shiny, golden-brown finish as they cook.
  
• Cinnamon sugar – It’s sprinkled on top of the pies before they’re baked. It provides an extra burst of flavor and a slight crunch to the crust.
  
• Cooking spray – It’s used to grease the air fryer basket lightly.

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Pies

These pies are so easy, even a kid could put them together!

1. Prepare the pie crusts. Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts onto a clean and lightly floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out 20 mini circles from the pie crusts.

2. Add the filling. Spoon a generous amount of apple pie filling onto the center of each pie crust circle.

3. Seal the pies. Place another mini circle on top and crimp the edges to seal the pie. Repeat this process until all the pie crust circles are filled and sealed.

4. Brush on the egg wash and apple cinnamon sugar. Beat the egg in a small bowl, then brush the top of each mini pie with the beaten egg. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly on top.

5. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This helps to ensure that the pies cook evenly.

6. Prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the air fryer basket with a thin layer of cooking spray to prevent the pies from sticking.

7. Cook the pies. Air fry the pies at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Carefully remove the pies and allow them to cool before serving.

Best Types of Apples to Use

When selecting apples for pie, using varieties that hold their shape is best. Additionally, blending tart and sweet apples creates a balanced flavor. 

Although this recipe calls for apple pie filling, you can use fresh apples. It results in a more flavorful and delightful taste.

Here are some apple varieties that would be excellent choices for your air fryer apple pies:

1. Honeycrisp: This variety is sweet with a slight tartness and maintains its texture during baking.
   
2. Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): These apples are sweet and tart. They have a firm texture and hold up well during baking.
   
3. Gala: Galas are mildly sweet with a crisp texture. However, they can get slightly softer than some other varieties when baked.
   
4. Jonathan or Jonagold: These are tangy-sweet apples that hold their shape and are great for pies.
   
5. Granny Smith: These are tart and crisp and hold up well during baking. They’re a classic choice for baked goods.

Remember, personal preference plays a significant role when choosing apples. You may want to experiment with different varieties until you find your favorite combination. 

Mixing varieties can also lead to a more complex and layered flavor in your pies.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Making apple pie in an air fryer is a fun and easy way to enjoy this classic dessert. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your pies turn out perfect every time:

• Don’t skip the egg wash. It gives the pies a beautiful golden color and a nice sheen.
  
• Throw in some citrus. Add a bit of lemon juice to the apple filling to prevent browning, and add a bit of tanginess.
  
• Seal them up. Be sure to seal the edges of your mini pies thoroughly to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Use a fork to crimp the edges after folding them.
  
• Get creative with mix-ins. Add raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts to your apple filling for a different texture and flavor. A pinch of nutmeg can also change the flavor profile.
  
• Keep a watchful eye. Air fryer temperatures vary, so check your pies a little earlier than the recipe suggests. They’re done when they’re golden brown and crispy.
  
• Give them their space. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The pies should be in a single layer with space between each one for the air to circulate correctly.
  
• Don’t be too eager! Allow the pies to cool for a few minutes after removing them from the air fryer. They will be extremely hot, especially the filling.
  
• Dress them up in style. Serve your air fryer apple pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

These pies are the perfect little make-ahead creations! And they’re so easy to store, too.

To Make Ahead: You can prepare the pies just before you cook them in the air fryer. Just skip brushing them with egg wash and sprinkling cinnamon sugar if you’re storing them,

To Store and Freeze: After you’ve filled and sealed the pies, wrap them in plastic. If they’re refrigerated, you can store them a day ahead of cooking. But for more extended storage, store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To Reheat: When you’re ready to cook the pies, you don’t need to thaw them. Just brush them with the egg wash and pop them straight into the air fryer. If you’re cooking them frozen, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.