Homemade Baked Apple Empanadas Recipe to Enjoy

Baked apple empanadas are a pastry that combines flaky crust with a sweet, spiced fruit filling.

Tender apples simmered with cinnamon are tucked inside golden dough, creating a dessert that feels both comforting and satisfying.

The crisp shell gives way to a soft, flavorful center, offering a balance of texture in every bite.

As they bake, the kitchen fills with aromas of warm spice and fruit, setting the stage for a cozy treat.

These empanadas carry the spirit of tradition while remaining simple enough for home bakers to prepare.

They’re versatile too; perfect as a dessert, a snack, or even a sweet addition to brunch.

Sweet Apple Hand Pies Fresh Perks

• Customize with Ease: Personalize these hand pies by experimenting with different spices or fruit fillings, making them a versatile dessert for any mood or preference.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Compact and individually sized, these hand pies are ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where guests can enjoy a handheld treat.
• Quick Comfort Dessert: Combining simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, this recipe delivers a homemade dessert that feels both nostalgic and special without requiring advanced baking skills.
• Crowd-Winning Flavor: The combination of piloncillo, cinnamon, and cloves creates a rich, warm flavor profile that transforms ordinary apple hand pies into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Ingredients for Sweet Apple Hand Pies

• Apples: Tender, sweet fruit that creates the core of the hand pie filling.
• Piloncillo: Traditional Mexican unrefined sugar that adds rich, deep sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents apple browning.
• Vanilla: Provides warm, aromatic flavor to the filling.
• Cinnamon, Cloves: Warm spices that enhance the apple’s natural sweetness.

• Flour: Provides structure for the hand pie crust.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the pastry.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor.
• Butter: Creates flaky, rich texture in the crust.
• Eggs: Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
• Water: Helps bring the dough together.

• Egg White, Sugar: Used for brushing and sprinkling on top for a golden, crisp finish.

How to Make Apple Hand Pies

Tips for Apple Hand Pie Success

• Cook apples slowly to evaporate excess liquid, preventing soggy pie bottoms and ensuring a concentrated, rich filling.
• Chill dough for exactly 30 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent butter from melting, creating flakier hand pies.
• Use a fork to crimp pie edges completely, preventing filling from leaking during baking and maintaining a neat presentation.
• You can try other piloncillo varieties or add a pinch of nutmeg for a more complex, warm spice profile in the apple filling.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and xanthan gum to create a similar texture for those with dietary restrictions.

Apple Hand Pie Variations to Enjoy

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly option. Use gluten-free all-purpose blend to maintain similar texture and structure.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use flax egg instead of chicken eggs to bind the dough. Replace honey or refined sugar with maple syrup for natural sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Edition: Substitute piloncillo with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Use tart Granny Smith apples to reduce overall sugar content. Skip additional sugar sprinkle on top.
• Tropical Fruit Remix: Replace apples with diced mango, pineapple, or passion fruit. Add shredded coconut to filling for Caribbean-inspired flavor profile. Keep original spice combinations for depth.

Ways to Serve Sweet Apple Hand Pies

• Cozy Picnic Companion: Pack these hand pies in a cute basket for a delightful outdoor meal with friends and family.
• Dessert Cafe Style: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant touch.
• Breakfast Treat: Pair with morning coffee or hot chocolate for a sweet start to your day, perfect with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap individually in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a homemade gift that spreads delicious cheer.

Storing Apple Hand Pies Properly

• Store completely cooled hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual hand pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months for quick dessert options.
• Warm refrigerated pies in the oven at 350F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispy crust. Frozen pies can be reheated directly from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes to baking time.
• Keep freshly baked hand pies at room temperature for up to 2 days, but ensure they’re placed in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain their texture.

FAQs

Baked Apple Empanadas Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet, golden-brown Apple Empanadas invite culinary adventurers into a world of comforting Latin American pastry perfection. Flaky dough wraps around warm cinnamon-spiced apples, promising a journey through traditional flavors that will satisfy any dessert craving you hold.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling:

• 5 large honeycrisp apples, peeled and diced
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) Mexican piloncillo (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 ml) ground cloves

Dough:

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 cup (227 g) cold butter, cut into pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cold water

Topping:

• 1 egg white
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) turbinado sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Simmer diced apples with piloncillo, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes until fruit softens and liquid reduces.
2. Pulse flour, sugar, salt, cold butter, eggs, and water in a food processor until dough coheres. Gently knead mixture into a smooth ball.
3. Divide dough into 16 equal portions and roll each into thin, round 6-7 inch disks. Layer disks between parchment paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm.
4. Place a precise portion of apple mixture in the center of each chilled disk. Carefully fold dough over filling, creating half-moon shapes and firmly crimp edges to seal completely.
5. Create small decorative vents on pie tops using a sharp knife. Delicately brush surfaces with beaten egg white and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until pastries transform into golden, crispy hand pies.

Notes

• Try nutmeg or cardamom for deeper flavor complexity in apple filling.
• Chill dough thoroughly to ensure flaky, crisp pastry that doesn’t become tough during baking.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend and plant-based butter for vegan and gluten-sensitive diets without compromising taste.
• Store hand pies in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days for extended freshness.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg