Hand pies are not as hard to make as they look. If you’re in need of an easy Apple Hand Pies recipe for your Thanksgiving dessert or just to enjoy the flavors of fall, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
I remember being a big fan of Apple Hand Pies growing up. As an adult, the store-bought ones just don’t taste right. They can be overly sweet and synthetic tasting.
Making hand pies at home is simple and probably cuts way down on the sugar and adds the flavor.
Do you peel apples for baking pie?
Leaving the peel can add color to the pie and some flavor but it will keep the apples from properly blending in with one another for that warming texture when taking that first bite. It is best to peel the apples before baking.
What is the best way to slice an apple for pie baking?
I personally prefer to spiral cut my apples using my KitchenAid attachment. It makes life easier and the thin slices make it easy to mix the filling and the apples to bake evenly.
What you need to make Apple Hand Pies
(For the ingredients measurements and full recipe, please scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card.)
For the Pie Crust
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- salt
- cold and cubed butter
- lightly beaten eggs
- milk
For the Filling
- peeled, cored, and sliced Ginger Gold Apples (or apples that bake well)
- granulated sugar
- all-purpose flour
- softened butter
- lemon juice
- ground cinnamon
How do you make hand pies from scratch?
For the Pie Crust
In a large bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
Stir in the eggs. Add 1 tablespoon of milk over the mixture and toss the dough. Repeat by gradually adding in all of the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Gather the dough into a ball and kneed gently until it holds together. Divide pastry into fourths and press into discs. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Chill for about 1 hour.
For the Filling
Combine apples, sugar, all-purpose flour, butter, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Be sure to continue stirring to keep the filling from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Cool the filling completely before adding to the crust.
How to Put the Hand Pies Together
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking sheets or parchment paper.
Roll out each pastry disc to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4-inch rounds using a floured cutter.
Brush edges with milk to help them adhere. Spoon about a tablespoon of the filling onto each half of the circles.
Fold the remaining circle over the other half with the filling. Seal the edges using the tines of a fork and cut small slits on the top.
Transfer the prepared pies to the baking sheets. Brush pies with additional milk. Bake for 20-minutes or until golden brown.
Remove and cool on wire racks before enjoying.

Easy Apple Hand Pies Recipe
Enjoy these easy Apple Hand Pies for your Thanksgiving dessert or any fall treat. A perfect way to enjoy the autumn flavors and better than store-bought.
Ingredients
For the Pie Crust
- 3 1/2 all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cold and cubed butter
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
For the Filling
- 2 2/3 cups (about 2-3 apples) of peeled, cored and sliced Ginger Gold Apples (or apples that bake well)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp softened butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the Pie Crust
- In a large bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
- Stir in the eggs.
- Add 1 tablespoon of milk over the mixture and toss the dough. Repeat by gradually adding in all of the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Gather the dough into a ball and kneed gently until it holds together.
- Divide pastry into fourths and press into discs.
- Wrap each disk in plastic wrap.
- Chill for about 1 hour.
For the Filling
- Combine apples, sugar, all-purpose flour, butter, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Be sure to continue stirring to keep the filling from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Cool the filling completely before adding to the crust.
How to Put the Hand Pies Together
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Line two baking sheets with silicone baking sheets or parchment paper.
- Roll out each pastry disc to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut into 4-inch rounds using a floured cutter.
- Brush edges with milk to help them adhere.
- Spoon about a tablespoon of the filling onto each half of the circles.
- Fold the remaining circle over the other half with the filling.
- Seal the edges using the tines of a fork and cut small slits on the top.
- Transfer the prepared pies to the baking sheets.
- Brush pies with additional milk.
- Bake for 20-minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and cool on wire racks before enjoying.
Recommended Products
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Bakeware Set, Krokori Rectangular Baking Pan Ceramic Glaze Baking Dish for Cooking, Kitchen, Cake Dinner, Banquet and Daily Use - Aquamarine, 3 Pack of Rectangular
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Vremi 3 Piece Baking Sheets Nonstick Set - Professional Non Stick Sheet Pan Set for Baking - Carbon Steel Baking Pans Cookie Sheets with Red Silicone Handles - has Quarter and Half Sheet Pans
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Premium Plastic Mixing Bowls (Set of 3) Sizes: 1.5, 3 & 5 QT - With Non Slip Bottom & Pouring Spout. For Healthy Cooking & Baking, Nesting and Stackable Free Bonus - measuring cup
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 169mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are not always accurate.