Mini Apple Pies

Mini apple pies bring the warm, spiced flavors of fall into a bite-sized form that’s perfect for any occasion. With a gooey homemade apple filling and a flaky, golden pie crust, these mini pies capture all the deliciousness of traditional apple pie, but with the convenience of a handheld snack. Whether you serve them at potlucks, holiday dinners, or just as a cozy treat, they’re sure to be a hit!

Why These Mini Apple Pies Are a Must-Try

Perfect Portions: Mini apple pies are an ideal dessert for sharing, so everyone gets a little taste of fall without the mess of slicing a large pie.
Fun for the Whole Family: Get the kids involved in the kitchen by letting them help cut out the pie dough and assemble the mini pies. It’s a great bonding activity!
Classic Fall Flavors: The combination of sweet apples and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger makes these mini pies the perfect fall treat.

Ingredients

For the Filling:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry (to thicken)
For Assembly and Baking:
- 1 package of premade pie dough (contains 2 crusts)
- All-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 1 beaten egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp milk, cream, or water (for egg wash)
- Additional coarse brown sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

For the Filling:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, and butter.
Toss the mixture until the apples are evenly coated, then cook for about 5 minutes until the apples begin to soften. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir gently until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

For Assembly and Baking:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (or according to your pie dough instructions). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, unroll the premade pie crust. Use a round cutter to cut out circles from the dough. You may need to gather and re-roll the dough scraps to cut out additional circles, making sure you have an even number (one circle for the bottom and one for the top).
Place half of the dough circles on the baking sheet (these will be the bottom layers). Add about a tablespoon of the cooled apple filling to the center of each circle.
Use a knife to cut slits in the remaining dough circles, which will serve as the top layer for the pies.
Place the top dough circles over the filled bottom layers and use a fork to press and seal the edges.
Whisk together the beaten egg and milk (or cream or water) to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the mini pies with the egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse brown sugar.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Variations and Tips

Homemade Crust: If you prefer, use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe instead of store-bought.
Mini Pie Muffin Tin: For a different presentation, place the dough in a muffin tin to create mini pie cups.
Lattice Top: For a fun twist, cut the pie crust into strips and make a lattice topping or use small cookie cutters to create decorative shapes for the top.

What to Serve with Mini Apple Pies:

Vanilla ice cream
Caramel sauce
Whipped cream

Can Mini Apple Pies Be Made Ahead?

Yes! To save time, you can prepare the apple filling a day ahead. Just store it in the fridge with a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Assemble the pies when you’re ready to bake.

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled to room temperature, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can enjoy them cold, at room temperature, or warmed up in the microwave for a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to bake mini apple pies? Mini apple pies usually take about 20-25 minutes to bake, depending on your oven.

Can you freeze mini apple pies? Yes, you can freeze them! After assembling the pies, flash freeze them by placing the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours. Then, store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each pie. They last up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

What are the best apples for baking pies? Tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet apples like Honeycrisp are perfect for baking, as they hold their shape and maintain their juicy texture.