Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Flaky little pies with spiced apple and a sugar glaze.
Before You Start
Shop-bought puff pastry plus a pan of cinnamon apples gives you hand pies in half an hour. The air fryer puffs the pastry hard and fast, so the layers separate properly, and a thin glaze brushed over the warm tops sets to a light crackle.
Instructions
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Cook the diced apple with the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice in a pan for 5 minutes, until softened but not mushy. Stir in the cornstarch and cook for another minute until it thickens, then cool completely.
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Cut the pastry into 8 rectangles. Spoon a tablespoon of the cooled filling onto one half of each, leaving a clear border.
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Brush the border with beaten egg, fold the pastry over, and press the edges with a fork to seal. Cut two small vents in each top.
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Chill the pies for 10 minutes, then brush the tops with egg. Cold pastry puffs much better.
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Preheat the air fryer to 175°C / 350°F. Cook in a single layer on baking paper for 10 to 14 minutes, until puffed and deep golden.
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Whisk the powdered sugar with the milk and drizzle over the pies while they're still warm. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before eating.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 175°C / 350°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- The filling must be cold. Warm filling melts the pastry butter and the layers collapse instead of rising.
- Cut the vents. Without them the steam bursts a seam and the filling leaks out into the basket.
🔀 Make it your own
- Use tinned cherry or blueberry pie filling for a two minute shortcut.
- Skip the glaze and roll the hot pies in cinnamon sugar instead.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best on the day. Airtight at room temperature for 2 days, then re-crisp at 170°C for 3 minutes to bring the pastry back.
❓ Frequently asked
Can you cook puff pastry in an air fryer?
Yes, and it puffs well at 175°C / 350°F. Keep the pastry cold until it goes in, and use baking paper so the bases don't stick.
What apples are best for hand pies?
Firm tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn hold their shape. Soft apples cook down to sauce and make the pastry soggy.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.