These juicy, golden apple hand pies are a homemade take on McDonald’s apple pies, but even better! They’re crisp, customizable, and much easier to make and serve than traditional apple pie!

Apple hand pies stacked a small lined baking pan.

Are McDonald’s apple pies vegan?

In the USA and many countries like Australia, McDonald’s apple pies do not contain any ingredients of animal origin. However, apple pies may be fried using the same equipment and even the same oil as animal products which can lead to cross-contamination. Ultimately, it depends on your comfort level and personal preferences.

Simple ingredients you’ll need

Flat-lay of ingredients for the homemade Mcdonald's apple pies.

The full list of ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Puff pastry. Many brands of store-bought puff pastry are accidentally vegan and dairy-free! Just double-check the ingredients to make sure. If you’re feeling more ambitious, you can make your own pie dough!

Apples. This recipe works well with either red apples or green apples. Red apples are sweeter and softer (such as Fuji or Gala), whereas green apples are more tart and hold their shape better (such as Granny Smith). Use whichever apple you prefer, or you can use a mix of both.

Light brown sugar turns into a caramel and forms the basis of the sauce in the apple pie filling.

Vegan butter adds richness to the filling.

Cornstarch thickens the sugar and natural juices from the apples. We need a thicker sauce otherwise the pastry will become soggy!

Maple syrup is like an easy vegan egg wash and adds more flavor! We use it for brushing the edges of the pastry (so the sheets stick together) and the top of the apple pies (which gives them a golden-brown color).

Coarse sugar (optional and not pictured). For added texture, you can also sprinkle coarse sugar on the pies. This also makes the pastry feel thick and crackly, which is reminiscent of McDonald’s Apple Pies!

Close up of one apple pie focusing on the golden brown color and coarse sugar texture.

How to make homemade apple pie filling

To make the filling, add the chopped apple, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon to a large saucepan over high heat (Image 1).

Stir until combined and let the butter completely melt. Once the butter melts, reduce the heat to medium and cook while stirring occasionally. Eventually, the apples will leak their natural juices and the sugar will liquify (Image 2).

Two image collage of a saucepan, with the apple, lemon juice, cinnamon, butter and sugar then the mixture half-cooked with juices coming out.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. While stirring the apple mixture, pour the cornstarch slurry into the pan and mix until it’s thoroughly combined (Image 3). Cook until the apple mixture thickens and the apples become tender (Image 4). If you’d like a thicker apple pie filling, cook the mixture for longer. If you’d like a runnier filling, add some extra water! The filling will thicken while it cools.

Set aside the apple pie filling until it cools to at least room temperature. If the filling is too hot, it will melt the pastry and the pies will be difficult to assemble.

Two image collage of the apple pie mixture with a cornstarch slurry being poured in, and the final gooey mixture.

Assemble the apple pies

Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut your puff pastry sheets into rectangles. I got 8 rectangles from each pastry sheet but the number you’ll get will depend on the size of your pastry (Image 5).

If your puff pastry dough is thick, flatten it with a rolling pin!

Then, arrange half of the puff pastry rectangles on large baking sheets and spoon around 2 heaped tablespoons of the apple mixture in the middle of each one (Image 6).

As tempting as it is, please avoid filling each pie with too much filling otherwise they will leak (and slightly burn) in the oven. Lightly brush the edges with maple syrup as this will help adhere the second layer of puff pastry.

Two image collage of a puff pastry sheet being cut into 8 rectangles, and a spoon adding the apple pie filling to the middle of one rectangle.

Next, top each rectangle with the remaining puff pastry rectangles. Using your fingers, gently press down the edges and top of the pastry ensuring there are no large air pockets (Image 7).

Use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges of each hand pie. Using a paring knife or scissors, cut 3-4 small slits in the top of each hand pie – this allows the steam from the apples to escape while baking (Image 8). Finally, brush the tops of the pies with maple syrup and, if desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar.

TIP: For added flavor, you can sprinkle cinnamon sugar on your mini apple pies. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon with the sugar and sprinkle as desired.

Two image collage of fingers pressing down the edges of an apple pie then a knife cutting small lines at the top of one pie.

Biggest tip for baking these pies

Make sure your oven is adequately preheated and is HOT! I baked my apple hand pies at 200°C (390°F) for about 30 minutes. The higher oven heat helps the pastry puff up!

If your oven is too hot, the pastry will burn quickly. But if your oven is too cool, your pastry won’t puff up and won’t turn golden brown. The right oven temperature will give you golden brown and flaky pastry layers!

Stack of apple pies cut in half topped with ice cream and more apple pie filling.

Customizing this recipe

Can I use other fruits?

I haven’t tested any other fruit but you’re welcome to experiment! Some other options include blueberries, peaches and similar kinds of fruit. However, you may want to reduce or omit the cinnamon in the filling.

Can I add anything else to the filling?

Yes of course! Some other delicious add-ins include:
– toasted pecans or walnuts
– extra spices like nutmeg or cardamon

The best thing about making McDonald’s apple pies at home is being able customizing them, so feel free to use your imagination!

More vegan pastry recipes

Puff pastry squares filled with custard and topped with fresh berries on a serving platter.

Custard Pastries (vegan & eggless)
Close up of puff pastry croissant with raspberry jam filling.

Puff Pastry Croissants (vegan)
Close up of vanilla slice on a plate. The slice has two flaky layers of puff pastry sandwiching a thick layer of custard.

Vegan Vanilla Slice
Several mini apple tarts dusted with powdered sugar on a rustic gray plate.

Mini Apple Tarts (vegan)

Or see more vegan apple recipes!

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Apple hand pies stacked a small lined baking pan.
5 from 1 review

McDonald’s Apple Pies (homemade + vegan)

Yield: 8 apple hand pies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Author: Anthea
These juicy, golden parcels are a homemade take on the classic McDonald's apple pies, but even better! They're crisp, customizable, and much easier to make and serve than traditional apple pie.
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 3-4 x (480g) medium-size apples, of choice, peeled and chopped into 1/3 inch or 1 cm cubes (weighed after peeling)
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, or to taste
  • ¼ cup (55g) vegan butter
  • 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste (or sub with water)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 teaspoons (10g) cornstarch / corn flour, (note 1 for a thinner sauce)
  • ¼ cup (60g) water, or as needed
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt, if using unsalted butter

To assemble and decorate

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed but cold
  • 2-3 tablespoons (45g-65g) maple syrup, for brushing as needed
  • coarse sugar, optional

Instructions 

Prepare the apple pie filling:

  • In a large saucepan over high heat, add the apples, brown sugar, vegan butter, lemon juice and cinnamon and stir until just combined. When the butter has completely melted, reduce the stove to medium heat. Cook the apple mixture for around 10 minutes or until the apples have softened and have released a lot of liquid.
  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan while stirring constantly.
  • Cook the apple mixture for another 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the apples are tender. For a runnier mixture, add more water. For a thicker mixture, continue to cook. Keep in mind that the filling will thicken up as it cools. Set aside to cool completely.

Prepare the puff pastry:

  • Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F) and line 1-2 baking trays with parchment paper.
  • Cut both sheets of puff pastry into rectangles. I got a total of 16 rectangles, but the number you'll get will depend on the size of your pastry sheets. Place half of the rectangles on your lined baking trays.
  • Spoon around 2 heaped tablespoons of the apple mixture in the middle of each rectangle. If you have any filling remaining, set it aside for serving! Brush the edges of each pastry rectangle with maple syrup. Top each pastry with the remaining rectangles and press down the edges to seal them.
  • Use a fork to crimp the edges of the apple hand pies. Use a small knife to cut 3-4 slits on top of each pastry. Brush the tops with maple syrup and, if desired, sprinkle some coarse sugar.
  • Bake the apple pies for 28-32 minutes or until puffed and golden. Let them cool on their baking trays for around 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack.

To serve:

  • Serve the apple pies warm. Be careful as the filling may be hot. The apple pies are incredible by themselves or served with a scoop of ice cream and extra apple pie filling drizzled on top!
  • The pies are best enjoyed on the day of baking but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, bake the pies in an oven or air fryer until warmed through.

Notes

  1. This McDonald’s apple pie recipe has a thick and gooey apple pie filling. If you’d like a runnier filling, please use only 2 teaspoons (5g) cornstarch and 2 tablespoons (30g) of water.
  2. Make ahead instructions: The apple filling can be prepared 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also store it in the freezer, though its texture will slightly change. You can also freeze the assembled hand pies for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator then bake until golden.
Did you Make this Recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @rainbownourishments on Instagram and hashtag #rainbownourishments!

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