Southern fried apple pies are a traditional Southern dessert that consist of a sweet apple filling that is wrapped in a pastry dough and fried until crispy and golden brown. They are typically served warm and dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a sweet glaze.
To make southern fried apple pies, a mixture of diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes other spices is cooked down until the apples are soft and the mixture has thickened. The apple mixture is then spooned onto a circle of pastry dough, which is folded over and sealed with a fork or crimped by hand. The pies are then fried in hot oil until crispy and golden brown.
When served, the southern fried apple pies are often dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a sweet glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. They can be served as a dessert after a meal or as a sweet snack any time of day. Southern fried apple pies are a delicious and nostalgic treat that are popular in the Southern United States and are often served at fairs, festivals, and family gatherings.
SERVINGS: 4 (2 fried pies per serving)
PREPARATION TIME: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 3 cups thinly sliced apples (about 4 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the water until the mixture forms a dough. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and the mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oil in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough disks to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 4-inch round cookie cutter or a large glass, cut out 8 circles of dough. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture into the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough disk.
- Carefully place the pies into the hot oil, 2-3 at a time, and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pies from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining pies.
- Serve warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, if desired.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- For extra crunch, sprinkle the pies with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before frying.
- These fried apple pies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- If you don’t have a deep-fry thermometer, you can test the temperature of the oil by sticking a wooden spoon or chopstick into the oil. If the oil starts to bubble around the spoon, it’s ready to use.