These are the best mini apple pies! They have apple shaped buttery crusts filled with a homemade apple pie filling and they're sprinkled with spiced sugar. They're a fun twist on a classic apple pie recipe!
If you're looking for other Thanksgiving recipes, check out my mini pumpkin pies, pecan pie cheesecake, apple pie cheesecake, Thanksgiving cracker toffee, pumpkin cheesecake bars, gooey butter pecan cake, lattice top apple pie, honey cornbread muffins or pumpkin cheesecake!
Why You'll Love This Mini Apple Pie Recipe
They're easy to make. Store-bought pie crust saves so much time. You can whip these up in an hour or less!
They're so cute. These mini pies are shaped like little apples, how cute?!
They're delicious! They're made with flaky pie crust, a delicious apple filling and they're sprinkled with lots of spiced sugar.
Simple Ingredients for Individual Apple Pies
- Pie Dough- we're using pre-made pie crusts for convenience, but feel free to use a homemade pie crust recipe
- Brown Sugar- used to sweeten the filling
- Granulated White Sugar- used for the filling and spiced sugar topping
- Turbinado Sugar- adds a little extra crunch on top
- Apples- in my opinion, the best apples to use are honeycrisp or gala apples, or something similar, and not tart apples
- Ground Spices- cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves add warm fall flavor to these apple pies
- Egg- used for the egg wash
- Vanilla- adds a sweet note to the filling
Step by Step Instructions for Mini Apple Hand Pies
Please see the recipe card below for complete measurements and baking time!
STEP ONE: Add the chopped apples, butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla and spices to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 15-18 minutes. Then let the apple mixture cool completely.
STEP TWO: Roll out the 2 pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut 20 mini apples out using a 4" apple cookie cutter. (You will need to re-roll each pie crust to get all 20.) Transfer 10 of the apples to parchment paper lined baking sheets (5 per each.)
STEP THREE: Add 1 heaping tablespoon of apple pie filling on the center of 10 of the apples.
STEP FOUR: Use a pastry brush to brush the edges with egg wash and place another apple over top of each. Press the edges shut with a fork and cut small slits like an X into the top of each pie. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. Brush the top of the pies with egg wash. Combine the granulated white sugar and spices in a small bowl, then sprinkle each apple pie with the spiced sugar and a little bit of coarse sugar.
STEP FIVE: Bake and then let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool until cool enough to handle, about 15 more minutes. Serve by themselves or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
FAQs
Can I use homemade pie crust? Yes! Baking time may be different though. Start with 17 minutes and add time until they're a light golden brown color.
Can I use puff pastry instead? Yes, absolutely. Baking time may be different though. Bake until golden brown on top and puffy.
How do I store these? Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days
Should you cook apples before putting in pie? Yes! This allows for the best textured pie. The crust won't get soggy and the apple filling won't spill out while they bake!
Do I have to cut the dough into apples? No. You can cut the dough with a round cookie cutter, or really any other shape. To keep baking times the same, I recommend sticking with the same size cookie cutter, 4 inches.
Pro Tips
For best results, be sure to chill the formed little apple pies before baking. This ensures that the dough stays in tact and the filling doesn't leak out while baking.
Other Easy Recipes to Try Next Time
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
📖 Recipe
Mini Apple Pies
Ingredients
For the Mini Apple Pies
- 2 pie crusts, store bought or homemade
- 2 ½ cups (350 g) apples peeled and diced into ½ inch pieces about 2 large apples
- 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoon (25 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
For the Egg Wash & Sugar Topping
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- tiny pinch of ground cloves
- turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
For the Mini Apple Pies
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the diced apples, butter, brown sugar, granulated white sugar, vanilla and spices to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 15-18 minutes. Then let the apple filling cool completely.2 ½ cups (350 g) apples peeled and diced into ½ inch pieces, 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter, ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar, packed, 2 tablespoon (25 g) granulated white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- Roll out the 2 pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut 20 mini apples out using a 4" apple cookie cutter. (You will need to re-roll each pie crust to get all 20.) Transfer 10 of the apples to parchment paper lined baking sheets (5 per each.)2 pie crusts, store bought or homemade
- Add 1 heaping tablespoon of apple pie filling on the center of 10 of the apples.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the edges with egg wash and place another apple over top of each. Press the edges shut with a fork and cut small slits like an X into the top of each pie. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.1 egg, beaten
Baking The Mini Apple Pies
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees while the mini apple pies chill.
- Combine the granulated sugar and spices in a small bowl.¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice, ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger, tiny pinch of ground cloves
- Remove one of the cookie sheets of mini apple pies from the fridge and brush the tops with egg wash. Then sprinkle each apple with the spiced sugar and a little bit of turbinado sugar.turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
- Bake for 16-19 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Then let the mini apple pies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool until cool enough to handle, about 15 more minutes.
- Repeat the steps with the remaining cookie sheet of mini apple pies.
How many calories are in this?
Made these for pi day, they are delicious. Did the filling the day before and made 3” rounds with store bought pie dough and baked for 15 minutes. All 34 came out perfect. This is a keeper! Thank you for a great recipe
Hi Mary! I'm so glad you liked them!!
Do you have a link to the cookie cutter you found? Thanks!