If you’ve ever craved that perfect sweet treat with a little crunch on the outside and warm, spiced apple filling inside, you’re in for a real delight. This Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is my homemade ode to that classic fried apple pie—flaky puff pastry, tender apples, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar that just can’t be beat.

A white plate holds seven golden-brown, rectangular fried pastries stacked unevenly, each coated with a sugar and cinnamon mix that gives a slightly rough texture. The pastries have crimped edges with visible ridges, and their surface looks crispy and lightly bubbled. On the right side of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with smooth caramel sauce, showing a shiny, glossy surface. A few fresh green mint leaves rest near the pastries for a touch of color, and the plate sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love how these pies blend nostalgia with homemade goodness. They’re simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough to impress guests or sweeten up a Sunday afternoon.

Homemade Goodness: No mystery ingredients—just real apples and love.
Perfectly Crispy: Puff pastry fries up golden and flaky every time.
Flavorful Spice Blend: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring warmth and depth.
Easy to Customize: Serve with caramel sauce or just on their own for pure apple pie bliss.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients before you dive in. Nothing complicated here, but a few tips: choosing crisp Granny Smith apples gives the filling a tangy bite that balances the sweetness, and using puff pastry makes the crust buttery and flaky with minimal effort.

Flat lay of a single rectangular sheet of golden puff pastry, a small white bowl filled with diced fresh Granny Smith apples, a small white bowl with light brown granular brown sugar, a small white bowl with bright reddish-brown ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl holding a pale beige ground nutmeg, a small white bowl containing fine ground cloves, a small white bowl with a few small cubes of creamy butter, a small white bowl with white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with white granulated sugar, a small white bowl with rich caramel sauce, and a small white bowl filled with clear cooking oil, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Puff pastry sheets: The shortcut to flaky, buttery crust without rolling dough yourself.
Granny Smith apples: Their tartness holds up well when cooked and pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Brown sugar: Adds a rich caramel note that complements the apples perfectly.
Cinnamon: Warming spice that’s essential for that classic apple pie flavor.
Nutmeg and ground cloves: Just a pinch to deepen the spice profile and add cozy complexity.
Butter: Adds richness and helps meld the filling flavors together.
Cornstarch: Thickens the apple filling so it’s luscious but not runny.
Granulated sugar: Combined with cinnamon for that signature cinnamon sugar sprinkle on top.
Oil for frying: Enough to get a perfect, golden crust every time.
Caramel sauce (optional): Because sometimes a little drizzle takes these pies over the top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you want to switch up the filling or experiment with toppings, there’s plenty of room to make these pies truly your own.

Spiced Up Filling: I sometimes like to add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cardamom to the apple mixture for a little extra warmth and complexity.
Seasonal Twist: During fall, swapping Granny Smith apples for a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Fuji or Honeycrisp, adds a lovely balance of flavors.
Diet-Friendly Option: For a vegan take, substitute the butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based puff pastry sheet—just as delicious and still golden and flaky.
Caramel Lovers: While the cinnamon sugar is a star topping, serving these with a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce elevates the indulgence factor. It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

The image shows a white plate filled with several golden brown fried pastries, each coated with a sparkling layer of cinnamon sugar. One pastry is cut open to reveal soft, chunky pieces of cooked apples inside, showing a warm yellow color with a glossy texture. The pastries are stacked close together, and fresh green mint leaves lie near the front on the plate. In the background, a green apple and a striped cloth can be seen slightly blurred, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cut and Prep the Pastry

Start by cutting each thawed puff pastry sheet into 4 equal pieces—this will give you nicely sized pies. Lay them out on a parchment-lined sheet pan to keep them from sticking and make cleanup easier. This simple prep sets the stage for flaky, crisp crusts that puff up beautifully when fried.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling

In a medium pan over medium heat, combine 3 cups diced Granny Smith apples with 6 tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves. Bring this to a gentle simmer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the apples are tender but not mushy. Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter until melted—it adds richness and helps meld the flavors wonderfully.

Step 3: Thicken the Filling

Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a smooth slurry. Pour it into the warm apple mixture and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the filling thickens. This step keeps the filling from being runny, so it stays perfectly inside each pie. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before assembly.

Step 4: Assemble the Pies

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the thickened apple filling onto one side of each pastry piece. Brush the edges with a little water to help seal them, then fold the pastry over into a neat rectangle. Use a fork to crimp the edges securely—this prevents the filling from leaking during frying and gives the pies that charming, classic look.

Step 5: Chill Before Frying

Place your assembled pies in the freezer for 20 minutes. This chilling step firms up the pastry, making it easier to handle and helping it hold its shape when it hits the hot oil. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in the final texture and appearance.

Step 6: Heat the Oil Just Right

Pour enough oil into a deep pan to reach about 3 inches and heat it to 350°F using a frying or candy thermometer. Keeping the oil at this temperature ensures the pies cook evenly without absorbing too much oil, resulting in a beautifully crispy crust.

Step 7: Fry the Pies Until Golden

Carefully fry 2-3 pies at a time for 5 to 6 minutes, turning them as needed, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Remove the pies and set them on paper towels to drain excess oil—this keeps them light and crisp, not greasy.

Step 8: Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar

While the pies are still warm, combine ½ cup granulated sugar with the remaining 3½ teaspoons cinnamon. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture generously over each pie—this sweet, spiced dusting is the finishing touch that makes these apple pies irresistible.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Let the pies cool just a bit before serving. For extra indulgence, offer caramel sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling. These pies are perfect warm and fresh, making every bite a comforting, crispy delight.

Top Tip

These tips come from my personal kitchen adventures making Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe, aiming to perfect that golden, flaky crust with just the right amount of spiced sweetness inside.

Maintain Oil Temperature: I always use a candy or frying thermometer to keep the oil steady at 350°F. It’s the key to a perfectly crispy crust without greasy or undercooked pastry.
Chill Before Frying: Freezing the assembled pies for 20 minutes really helps them hold their shape and prevents any filling leakage during frying, which I learned the hard way!
Drain Excess Oil: Placing the fried pies on paper towels right after frying keeps them from getting soggy and keeps that crisp texture we all love.
Don’t Overfill the Pies: Using about 2 tablespoons of filling per pie prevents bursting, so the fuggy, delicious apple filling stays neatly inside the pastry.

How to Serve Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

The image shows a close-up of small pastry squares on a white marbled textured surface. One of the squares is open and filled with golden brown, shiny, cooked apple chunks that are placed in the center, looking soft and coated in a syrupy glaze. The other squares are sealed with crimped edges made by pressing down with a fork, creating ridged patterns along the edges. The pastry dough is pale yellow with a smooth, soft texture. The overall look is of prepared, unbaked apple-filled pastries arranged on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a delightful presentation, sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar over the pies just before serving for that extra sparkle. A drizzle of warm caramel sauce adds a luscious touch. You can also garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn these into an indulgent dessert.

Side Dishes

Serve these golden delights alongside a cup of hot coffee, tea, or even a chilled glass of milk for a classic pairing. For a festive touch, offer a side of spiced nuts or cinnamon-scented apple cider to complement the warm spice flavors of the filling perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover fried apple pies covered tightly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. For best texture, it’s ideal to enjoy them fresh, but this short storage keeps them safe and tasty.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freeze the assembled but uncooked pies after chilling. Arrange them on a baking sheet so they don’t stick, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, fry them straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the frying time.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-from-the-fryer crispness, reheat leftover pies in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or until warm and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples work great because of their tartness and firmness, but you can use other varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji if you prefer a sweeter flavor. Just make sure the apples hold their shape during cooking.

Is it necessary to freeze the pies before frying?

Yes, chilling the pies in the freezer for 20 minutes helps the pastry stay intact during frying and prevents the filling from leaking out, resulting in perfectly shaped and crisp pies.

Can I bake the pies instead of frying?

Baking is an option if you want a lighter version, but the texture and flavor will differ from the traditional fried pies. You can bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, but frying delivers that classic crispiness everyone loves.

How do I keep the pies from getting soggy after frying?

Drain the pies on paper towels immediately after frying to absorb excess oil. Serving them shortly after frying while still warm will ensure they stay crisp. Storing them covered at room temperature for longer will make the crust soften.

Final Thoughts

Making these Fried Apple Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is such a rewarding experience — there’s something magical about biting into a warm, flaky crust filled with tender spiced apples and finished with that perfect dusting of cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re making them for a cozy family dessert or a special treat to impress friends, I hope these pies bring a little bit of homemade comfort and joy to your table. Happy frying, and even happier eating!