Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies

Old-fashioned, Amish-style Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies are made with a flaky, buttery, homemade pie crust, cinnamon sugar apple pie filling, and a powdered sugar glaze.

Fried Apple Pies from Pioneer Woman are so easy to make, and the crust is buttery, flaky, and stuffed with a delicious cinnamon-sugar filling, finished with a sweet cherry glaze that hardens beautifully.

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Why I love These Fried Apple Pies:

Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies has a crunchy, crispy, golden-brown exterior
After frying, the Evelina apples still retain their shape and taste
Juicy, not too sweet, and with a good amount of spiced apples in the interior
This is a great recipe for Mardi Gras desserts, birthday parties, and for those who love fried foods
Both kids and adults enjoy it
Easy to make ahead and freeze
Even frozen pies can be fried
Baking them in the oven will make them healthier (see instructions below)

Can I bake Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies instead of frying them?

Yes, you absolutely can. I’ve tested both frying the Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies and baking them in the oven, however, I still prefer the fried version much more.

Oven-baked Pioneer Woman Apple Pies have a more brittle, multilayered exterior. As the apples are cooked, their interior is similar to apple strudel: soft, cooked spices.

The fried Pioneer Woman Apple Pies are golden brown and crunchy, while the interior is fruity and fresh, with a rich golden sauce. Delicious!

If you are baking your Pioneer Woman Apple Pies instead of frying them, then:

Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 390 °F.
Cut three slits on top with a sharp knife. This will allow steam to escape while baking.
Transfer the pies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Put in the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes at 200 degrees C / 390 degrees F, or until golden brown and flaky.

What Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies are made of?

Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies are made up of three main components – a buttery pie crust made from scratch, a sweet/tart apple pie filling, and a powdered sugar glaze.

Pie Crust – The homemade pie crust has a super tender and buttery inside and a flaky/crunchy outside.
Apple Filling – It is made with granny smith and red delicious apples for the perfect balance of sweet and sour and seasoned to perfection with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Glaze – Last but not least, these fried apple pies are covered in a sweet powdered sugar glaze that hardens and looks so beautiful!

Are Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies better/healthier than store-bought?

These Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies are better than any store-bought fried apple pie, and they totally put McDonald’s fried apple pies to shame!

In addition to tasting better, Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies are healthier and don’t include a lot of preservatives. Since you make them from scratch, you control the ingredients and can easily adjust them based on your dietary needs.

Tools You’ll Need to Make Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies:

Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies recipe does not require any crazy fancy tools, but I have included a list of recommended tools below.

At the very least, make sure you have a deep cast-iron pot for frying your apple pies and a rolling pin for making your fried pie dough.

Grab this affordable pastry wheel for easy cutting/crimped edges and pastry brush for easy glazing if you want your fried apple pies to look and taste delicious!

How To Make Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies?

Making The Apple Pie Filling:

Prepare 2 large apples by peeling, coring, and dicing them into small cubes. For the perfect sweet/sour combo, you want to use 1 Granny Smith and 1 Red Delicious.
Next, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan and cook on medium heat until juices begin to form about 3 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the apple cider (or apple juice) and cornstarch.
Pour the mixture into the saucepan and turn the heat up to high and cook for another 3 minutes or until the mixture has thickened up, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Making The Pie Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour. Cut the cold butter into cubes, then use a pastry cutter to work the flour until all the butter is tiny lumps. Combine the egg yolks and salt in a separate bowl.
Microwave the milk in 30-second intervals until it is steaming hot. Pour in the hot milk little by little into the egg mixture and stir constantly.
Last but not least, add the milk and egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until you have a dough. Then, place the dough onto parchment paper and knead it for about 1 minute or until it appears smooth.
Then divide the pie dough into six equal pieces and roll each one into a ball. Roll each ball into a circle using a rolling pin or a glass. (Don’t worry if your circle isn’t perfectly round, we’ll cut it off once it is folded.)
Place 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling in each circle and fold the dough in half.
Next, pinch the edges together to seal them, and if desired, cut away any excess with a pastry wheel or pizza cutter. Using a fork, crimp down the edges of the pie so that the filling remains intact when fried. (You can always make another pie with the excess filling).
Then, heat up oil in a deep saucepan or deep fryer to 350 degrees.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can always use the wooden spoon trick by sticking it in the middle of the pot. When you see bubbles forming around the handle, it’s ready.
Once the oil is hot enough, add your pies one at a time and fry them until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain the fried apple pies on a paper towel.

Making The Pie Glaze:

As your pies are frying, make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
It’s best to glaze the pies right away after they’ve been fried and while they’re still warm. You can use a pastry brush to make a beautiful glaze on both sides, or you can drizzle the icing over the top or dip the cake into the glaze.
Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes, then enjoy!

How To Make Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies Ahead Of Time And How To Freeze Them?

You can make the Pioneer Woman Apple Pies filling ahead of time. Simply cook the filling, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Also, feel free to prepare the Pioneer Woman Apple Pies ahead of time. Simply follow the steps of the recipe until they are ready to bake. Place the apple pies on a baking sheet and freeze them. When the apple pies are completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or freezer-friendly container. They can be kept frozen for up to 2 months. The puff pastry is delicate, so handle it with care.

When you are ready to fry your Pioneer Woman Apple Pies, remove them from the freezer. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. When the pies are still cold, fry them according to the recipe, but increase the frying time by 2 – 3 minutes.

FAQ Section

What are the best apples for Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies?

The best apple combination for Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies is a granny smith and red delicious. It gives the pie a sweet-tart flavor. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Gala are also great choices as they will all retain their shape after cooking.

What Is The Easiest Way To Fry Pioneer Woman Apple Pies?

You can either fry these Pioneer Woman Apple Pies on the stovetop or in an electric fryer. If you don’t have a fryer, a deep frying pan is fine. I don’t mind cooking in a frying pan, but it’s not easy to get an even golden brown. For that reason, a fryer seems to be quicker and more convenient if you have one.

How do I store Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies?

Pioneer Woman Fried Apple Pies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container wrapped in a paper towel or tea cloth. You can also refrigerate and re-heat them in the microwave if desired, but they will be softer than when freshly made.

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