Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Caramel Apple Hand Pies are little pockets of apple pie goodness with a soft caramel tucked inside! Fry, bake, or air-fry them until golden, then finish with a sweet caramel glaze and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
Servings: 18 hand pies
Calories: 302kcal
Ingredients
- 1 homemade pie crust recipe, or 2 boxes store-bought pie crusts
- 2 cups apple pie filling, or 1 can (21 ounces) store-bought apple pie filling, chopped if needed
- 18 soft (individually wrapped) caramels, unwrapped
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Glaze
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners' sugar
- 5 to 7 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature, or more as needed
- 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
- Flaky salt, optional
Instructions
Caramel Apple Hand Pies
- Roll out the pie crusts to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 4 to 5-inch rounds. You should have about 18 rounds.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling in the center of each round, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Place the unwrapped caramels on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 5 to 10 seconds at a time, just until softened. Be careful not to melt them completely.
- Working with one caramel at a time, flatten it into a thin disc. Place it on top of the apple pie filling, making sure it does not touch the edge of the dough.
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon. Lightly rub water around the edge to help seal. Crimp the edge firmly with a floured fork. A tight seal is especially important with caramel inside.
Glaze*
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, 5 tablespoons milk, and caramel sauce until smooth. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is thick but pourable. Set aside.
Frying
- Fill a large, deep skillet or frying pan with 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat over medium heat to 375°F.
- Carefully fry 2 to 3 hand pies at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil around 375°F.
- Transfer the hand pies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or a paper towel-lined plate. Let them rest for at least 5 minutes. The caramel inside will be very hot.
- While the hand pies are still warm, dip the tops into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over them.
- While the glaze is still tacky, sprinkle with a small pinch of flaky salt, if using. Serve warm.
Notes
*Oven & Air Fryer Instructions
Baking In Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place assembled hand pies onto the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Coat warm hand pies with glaze.
- Assemble hand pies as instructed.
- Place hand pies in a single layer into the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to work in batches.)
- Spray the tops of the hand pies with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 360°F for 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Coat warm hand pies with glaze.
Nutrition
Serving: 1hand pie with glaze | Calories: 302kcal