deep-fried-apple-or-peach-pies

Deep-Fried Apple or Peach Pies are a crispy, golden, and delicious treat with a warm, fruity filling. These mini hand pies are perfect for a snack or dessert. Here’s a simple recipe for deep-fried apple or peach pies that you can make at home:

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 2 medium apples or peaches (peeled, cored, and diced) or 1 can (15 oz) peach or apple pie filling
• 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for richness)
• Pinch of salt

For the Dough:

• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough, if preferred)
  • OR you can use biscuit dough for a different texture

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Optional for Coating:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon, for coating)

Instructions:

Prepare the Filling:

1. Make the filling:
   • If you’re using fresh fruit, cook the diced apples or peaches in a medium pan over medium heat with sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, butter, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the fruit softens and the sugar begins to melt into a syrup. If you’re using canned pie filling, you can skip this step and just heat it lightly on the stove to warm it up.
   • Once the fruit is softened and the filling is thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Prepare the Pies:

2. Roll out the dough:
   • If you’re using pre-made pie crusts, unroll them on a flat surface. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut out 3-4 inch rounds from the dough.
3. Add the filling:
   • Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough round (about 1-2 tablespoons, depending on the size of the dough).
4. Seal the pies:
   • Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, or fold it into a triangular shape. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the pie shut.
   • If you want, you can brush the edges with a bit of water or egg wash (1 beaten egg with a tablespoon of water) before sealing them to ensure they stay closed.

Fry the Pies:

5. Heat the oil:
   • In a deep frying pan or large pot, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can drop a small piece of dough in the oil to test; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.
6. Fry the pies:
   • Carefully drop a few pies at a time into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry each pie for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy.
   • Use a slotted spoon to remove the pies from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Coat the Pies (Optional):

7. Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar:
   • While the pies are still warm, dust them lightly with powdered sugar or dip them in cinnamon sugar for extra flavor.

Serve:

8. Enjoy:
   • Let the pies cool for a couple of minutes, then enjoy them warm! They’re best when freshly made but can be stored for a day or two in an airtight container.

These deep-fried pies are irresistibly crispy on the outside, with a warm and sweet fruit filling on the inside—perfect for a fun dessert or snack!