Copycat McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Recipe

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While the baked version is more common these days, there’s just something magical about the original fried apple pie that hits differently. But here’s the good news: You don’t need to track down a franchise that still serves it to satisfy your cravings. With the right recipe and a little effort, you can recreate McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie in your own kitchen—complete with the irresistible golden, flaky crust and gooey apple filling.

How to make McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie

McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie is a fried pastry dessert made by McDonald’s consisting of a crisp, golden crust filled with sweet cooked apples flavored with cinnamon and sugar. It is designed as a handheld dessert and is served warm.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

• Apples – 3 medium apples (about 2–2½ cups chopped)
• Best varieties: Granny Smith (tart), Honeycrisp, Fuji, or a mix
• Butter – 2 tbsp (unsalted)
• Brown sugar – ¼ cup (packed)
• Granulated sugar – 2–3 tbsp (adjust to taste)
• Ground cinnamon – 1–1½ tsp
• Ground nutmeg – ⅛ tsp (optional)
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp (helps balance sweetness and prevent browning)
• Cornstarch – 1½–2 tbsp
• Water – 2–3 tbsp (for dissolving cornstarch)
• Pinch of salt – to balance the sweetness

For the Pastry

To keep it easy and close to the fast‑food style texture, you have two main options:

Option 1: Store‑Bought Dough (easiest)

• Refrigerated pie crust – 2 rounds, or
• Puff pastry sheets – 1–2 sheets, thawed according to package instructions

Option 2: Simple Homemade Dough (more control)

• All-purpose flour – 2 cups (250 g)
• Cold unsalted butter – ½ cup (1 stick, 113 g), cut into cubes
• Sugar – 2 tbsp
• Salt – ½ tsp
• Ice-cold water – 5–7 tbsp (enough to bring dough together)

For Frying & Finishing

• Neutral oil for frying – enough to reach about 1½–2 inches in your pan
• Good choices: canola, vegetable, peanut oil
• Egg wash – 1 egg + 1 tbsp water or milk (for sealing and color)
• Mix: ¼ cup granulated sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Apple Filling

Prep the apples

1. Peel, core, and chop apples into small cubes (about ¼–½ inch pieces).
2. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly and fit nicely in the pie.

Cook the apples

1. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
2. Add chopped apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (optional), lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
3. Stir to coat the apples and cook 5–7 minutes until they start to soften and release juices.

Thicken the filling

1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2–3 tbsp water to make a slurry (no lumps).
2. Pour the slurry into the apple mixture while stirring constantly.
3. Continue cooking for 2–4 minutes more until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy, like a jammy pie filling.
4. Stir in vanilla extract at the end.

Cool completely

1. Remove from heat and transfer to a shallow dish.
2. Let it cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least 20–30 minutes.
3. Cool filling is crucial; warm filling will make the dough soggy and harder to seal.
   • Tip: The filling should be thick enough that it doesn’t run when you spoon it. If it’s too liquid, simmer a bit longer.

Step 2: Make or Prepare the Dough

Option 1: Using Store-Bought Dough

Pie crust

1. Unroll your refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface.
2. Roll slightly thinner if needed (you want fairly thin sheets, similar to McDonald’s pie shell).

Puff pastry

1. Thaw according to package directions.
2. Gently roll out to smooth the seams and slightly thin the dough so it’s easier to fold and fry.

Option 2: Simple Homemade Dough

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add cold butter cubes to the flour mixture.
3. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until you get coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
4. Sprinkle in ice-cold water, starting with 5 tbsp.
5. Mix gently with a fork until the dough starts to come together.
6. Add more water 1 tbsp at a time if needed.
7. Stop as soon as it forms a rough dough—don’t overwork.
8. Shape into a flat disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
9. Then roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about ⅛ inch thick.

Step 3: Cut and Fill the Pies

Cut rectangles

1. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut your dough into rectangles.
2. Aim for about 4 x 2 inches (10 x 5 cm) or slightly larger, depending on preference.
3. You’ll need an even number of rectangles (one for the top, one for the bottom of each pie).

Add the filling

1. Place one rectangle down, and spoon about 1–2 tbsp of cooled apple filling onto the center, leaving a border around the edges.
2. Don’t overfill—too much filling will burst out during frying.

Brush with egg wash

1. Lightly brush the edges of the bottom rectangle with egg wash.

Seal the pies

1. Place a second rectangle on top, lining up the edges.
2. Press the edges firmly with your fingers to seal.
3. Crimp all around with a fork for a classic sealed edge and to prevent leaks.

Vent the pies

1. Use a sharp knife to cut 2–3 small slits on the top of each pie.
2. This lets steam escape and prevents them from exploding in the oil.

Chill again (optional but recommended)

1. Place the assembled pies on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the fridge or freezer for 15–20 minutes.
2. Cold pies hold their shape better and fry more evenly.

Step 4: Fry the Apple Pies

1. Pour enough oil into a deep skillet or pot to reach about 1½–2 inches.
2. Heat to 350–360°F (175–182°C): Use a thermometer if you can; maintaining temperature is key.
3. Test the oil: Drop a small piece of dough into the oil.
4. If it sizzles gently and turns golden in about a minute, the oil is ready.

Fry in batches

1. Carefully place 2–3 pies in the oil (don’t overcrowd).
2. Fry 2–3 minutes per side, or until deep golden brown and crisp.
3. Adjust the heat as needed, so the pies don’t burn before they cook through.

Drain

1. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer pies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet, or onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
2. Optional cinnamon sugar coating
3. While still warm (but not scorching hot), you can:
   1. Lightly brush the pies with melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar, or
   2. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on top.
4. This gives a sweeter, more dessert-y finish similar to some regional versions.

What to serve with

McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie is already a delightful treat on its own, with its crispy golden crust and warm, spiced apple filling. However, you can take this classic dessert to the next level by pairing it with complementary sides and toppings.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: The warm McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie with a scoop of cold, rich vanilla ice cream is a match made in dessert heaven. The creaminess of the ice cream beautifully contrasts the pie’s crispy shell and spiced apple filling.
• Whipped Cream: Light, fluffy whipped cream works perfectly if you’re looking for a less heavy accompaniment. You can dollop it on the side or pipe it over the pie for a beautiful presentation.
• Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche: Drizzling warm caramel sauce over the McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie enhances its sweetness and adds a silky richness. For a twist, opt for salted caramel to give the dessert a slight savory kick.

Ingredients Substitutes

If you’re planning to make McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie but don’t have all the ingredients on hand or want to tweak it for dietary, taste, or availability reasons, no problem!

1. Apple Filling Substitutes

The apple filling is the star of the McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie, but there’s flexibility when it comes to the type of apples and spices.

Apples

Best substitutes for fresh apples:

• Canned apple pie filling: Use this for convenience. Just chop any large apple slices into even pieces for even distribution. You may also add extra cinnamon for a homemade touch.
• Frozen apples: Thawed apple slices can be cooked with spices just as with fresh apples.
• Other fruits: Swap the apples for pears, peaches, or even berries. If using softer fruits, reduce cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• Dried apples: Rehydrate dried apple slices in warm water for 30 minutes before using. They’ll be softer and cook down into a filling similar to fresh apples.

Sugars

Brown sugar substitute:

• Replace with granulated white sugar and add a touch of molasses (1 tbsp per ¼ cup sugar).
• Coconut sugar is also a great 1:1 substitute for a more natural, slightly caramel-flavored option.

Granulated sugar substitute:

• Use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar (reduce the amount slightly as they’re sweeter and add moisture).

Cinnamon and Spices

• Ground cinnamon substitutes: Nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice blends can replace cinnamon, or use a combination of these spices.
• Nutmeg substitute: You can skip nutmeg or use ground cloves, ground cardamom, or more cinnamon in its place.

Cornstarch

Substitutes for thickening the filling:

• All-purpose flour: Use 2 tbsp of flour in place of 1 tbsp cornstarch.
• Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch: Both are great 1:1 substitutes for cornstarch.
• Potato starch: Another viable 1:1 option.

Butter

• Substitute for cooking the filling: Use margarine, coconut oil, or vegetable shortening for a dairy-free option.

Lemon Juice

• Substitute for acidity: Use equal parts vinegar (apple cider vinegar is best) or lime juice.

Dough/Pastry Substitutes

The dough you choose will determine the texture and structure of your McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie. If you don’t want to make the dough from scratch or prefer something different, here are alternatives:

Store-Bought Dough Options

• Refrigerated Pie Crust: Readily available and easy to use, it saves time and provides a flaky texture.
• Puff Pastry Sheets: These create a lighter, crispier crust, making your pies feel more upscale.
• Phyllo Dough: Layer 3–4 sheets together, lightly brushing each with butter or oil for a delicate, crisp shell.

Homemade Dough Substitutes

If you want to make dough from scratch but need to replace certain ingredients:

• All-purpose flour substitute: Use whole wheat flour, though it will produce a denser texture.
• Butter substitute in the pastry: Use lard, vegetable shortening, or coconut oil in place of butter. For a vegan option, try vegan butter or margarine.
• Sugar substitute in the dough: Replace with coconut sugar or skip it entirely if you prefer a more savory crust.

Egg Wash

Egg wash gives a golden and glossy finish to the pie shell, but it’s not irreplaceable:

Substitutes for egg wash:

• Use milk (dairy or plant-based).
• Oil or melted butter brushed lightly on the pastry works well too.
• Mix syrup or honey with a bit of water for a sweet glaze.

3. Frying Oil Substitutes

Frying is what gives this pie its signature crispiness, but your choice of oil matters both in flavor and the frying process:

Neutral Oils for Frying

• If you don’t have canola oil, other neutral oils like vegetable oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or safflower oil work just as well.
• Avoid strongly flavored oils (like olive oil) for frying, as they can overpower the dessert.

Air Frying or Baking

If you prefer to avoid deep-frying altogether:

• Air Fryer: Brush the pies lightly with oil or egg wash, then air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Oven Baking: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes on a lined baking sheet, brushing with egg wash for browning.

Final Thoughts

By serving your homemade McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie with these pairings or accompaniments, you can make this humble dessert feel even more special.

More McDonald’s Recipes:

• Copycat McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie Recipe
• Copycat Mcdonald’s Dr Pepper Dirty Soda Recipe