Copycat McDonald's Apple Pies

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Make McDonald's apple pies right at home with this copycat recipe. Better than anything you can get from the drive-thru!

1
Copycat McDonald's Apple Pie
Prep Time:
50 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Cool Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
8 (serving size: 1 pie)

Calling all Mickey D’s fans: Thanks to our latest recipe, you can enjoy McDonald’s iconic apple pies hot out of your air fryer. These hand pies capture the flaky, gooey essence you love from the classic menu item, but with a freshness you can't get from the drive-thru.

How to Make Copycat McDonald's Apple Pies

What makes McDonald’s pies so good is the mix of apple varieties (six in total!), so we’d recommend using a blend of apples to achieve the perfect tender, tart, and sweet filling. And don’t forget to dust the top crust with cinnamon sugar before cooking—it’ll give the pies the quintessential Mickey D’s feel. Who knows, once you try these cozy pies from the comfort of your home, you might never go back to the fast food version.

Test Kitchen Tips

  • Sealing the pies with an egg wash helps the filling stay sealed in, preventing it from spilling out during cooking.
  • Make sure to bring the apple mixture to a boil once the cornstarch is added to fully activate it (and make the filling thicker).
  • Chop the apples into 1/2-inch or smaller pieces to get the most apple filling inside each pie.
  • Be sure to keep the dough covered with plastic wrap while working to keep it from drying out.
  • Want to mix up the flavors? Swap out apples for any fruit or variety of fruits in your filling.

How to Freeze and Reheat Copycat McDonald's Apple Pies

  • The pies can be filled and frozen flat in a single layer in a ziplock bag before baking. When you're ready to enjoy them, just bake from frozen and add 5 extra minutes to the total cook time. 
  • To reheat them from the fridge, we recommend gently warming in the oven or air fryer rather than microwaving.

Editorial contributions by Annie Campbell

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 (serving size: 1 pie) servings

  • 2 cups peeled, chopped (1/2-inch) apples (from 2 small [12 ounces total] mixed variety apples)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon) 

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 (14.1 ounce) package refrigerated pie crust, softened according to package directions (such as Pillsbury)

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • Cooking spray

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients to make copycat McDonald's apple pies, gathered on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir together apples and lemon juice. Sprinkle with brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl; set aside until apples release some juice, about 5 minutes.

    diced apples tossed with sugar and spices

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high until melted and bubbling. Add apple mixture and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened and juices are just slightly reduced, 6 to 9 minutes. Stir in cornstarch and vanilla; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbling and thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let stand until slightly cooled, 15 to 30 minutes.

    seasoned apples simmering in a medium sized pot.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Roll out one refrigerated pie crust into a 12-inch circle.

    dough rolled out

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  5. Cut into 8 (4x2-inch) rectangles, discarding scraps or reserving for another use. Cover cut dough with plastic wrap and repeat with remaining pie crust. Place 8 dough rectangles on a work surface, and lightly brush with egg all the way to edges. 

    dough cut into rectangles being brushed with egg wash

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Leaving any excess juices in the bowl, spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple filling in center of each rectangle with a 1/4-inch border on all sides.

    apple pie filling scooped onto dough pieces.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Top with remaining dough rectangles, slightly stretching as needed to align edges with base dough. Crimp edges of rectangles using the tines of a fork and brush tops lightly with egg.

    edges sealed and dough brushed with egg wash

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Preheat an air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, make 3 evenly spaced diagonal cuts on top of each pie to vent.

    three small vents cut into each pie top

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Mix together remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle on top of pies.

    pies sprinkled with cinnamon sugar

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Lightly coat air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add 4 pies to basket, and bake until golden brown and crisp, 14 to 17 minutes. Repeat with remaining pies.

    pies being baked in batches in the air fryer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Serve warm.

    Copycat McDonald's Apple Pie

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Oven Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) with oven rack in upper third of oven. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange pies in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

265 Calories
13g Fat
34g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 265
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 190mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 3g 7%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 91mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.