Oh, the magic of that iconic little apple pie! Remember those trips to McDonald’s, that warm, flaky pastry filled with sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples? It’s a taste that brings back so many happy memories, doesn’t it? Well, get ready to recreate that pure joy right in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe is surprisingly simple, delivering that unmistakable golden-brown crust and a perfectly sweet, gooey apple filling. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and honestly, it tastes even better when you make it yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pie Recipe
- Fast & Easy: Seriously, this comes together quicker than you might think, perfect for a weeknight treat or a last-minute dessert.
- Incredibly Giftable: Imagine handing a warm, homemade apple pie to a friend. It’s the sweetest gesture!
- Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Whether it’s a family gathering or a potluck, these pies are guaranteed to disappear fast. Everyone loves them!
- Authentic Flavor: We’re talking that classic, slightly tart Granny Smith apple, warm cinnamon, and that perfectly fried crust. It’s spot on!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these delightful pies to life:
- 1 (14 to 16-ounce) package refrigerated or frozen pie dough, thawed if frozen: This is your shortcut to flaky perfection! If you’re feeling ambitious, your favorite homemade flaky pie dough works beautifully too (just make sure it’s chilled and divided into two disks).
- All-purpose flour, for rolling: Just a little bit to keep things from sticking.
- 6 cups vegetable or canola oil (48 ounces), for deep frying: This is key for achieving that signature crispy, golden crust.
- 1 large egg: For a beautiful golden sheen and a bit of extra richness on top.
- 2 medium Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples (about 12 ounces total), or a combination: Granny Smith apples give that delightful tartness that balances the sweetness, but a mix with Pink Lady is also wonderful!
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Adds a touch of richness to our apple filling.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The classic spice that makes apple pie, well, apple pie!
- 1 pinch kosher salt: Just a tiny bit to enhance all the flavors.
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar: For that perfect caramel-y sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon water: Helps the sugar and spices dissolve nicely.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour: This is our secret for thickening the apple filling just right.
How to Make Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pies
Alright, let’s get our hands a little floured and make some magic happen! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll be enjoying these delicious treats in no time.
- Get Your Dough Ready: If you’re using store-bought dough, just follow the package directions to thaw it. If you’ve made your own, make sure those two disks are nicely chilled and ready to go.
- Prep Those Apples: Peel, core, and then dice your apples. I like to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and are easy to eat.
- Whip Up the Filling: In a medium bowl, toss your diced apples with the unsalted butter, cinnamon, kosher salt, packed light brown sugar, water, and that 1 1/2 teaspoons of all-purpose flour. Give it a good stir to make sure all those yummy flavors coat the apples.
- Shape Your Pies: Lightly flour your work surface. Roll out one disk of pie dough until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. Now, here’s where you get creative! Use a cookie cutter or even a glass to cut out circles that are about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. You should get about 4 to 5 circles from each disk of dough.
- Fill ‘Em Up: Spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of your delicious apple filling onto one half of each dough circle. Don’t overfill, or they might be tricky to seal!
- Seal the Deal: Lightly brush the edges of the dough with a little water or some of your whisked egg wash (we’ll get to that in a second!). Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a perfect semi-circle. Now, use a fork to crimp the edges securely. This makes them look pretty and ensures no filling escapes during frying!
- Heat Things Up: In a large, deep skillet or a Dutch oven, heat your vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat. We’re looking for a temperature of 350°F (175°C). Using a thermometer is super helpful here to get it just right!
- Egg Wash Magic: While the oil is heating, whisk your large egg in a small bowl. Once your pies are assembled, give the tops a nice brush with this egg wash. This is what gives them that beautiful golden color.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Carefully place 2 to 3 of your assembled pies into the hot oil. It’s important not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and lead to greasy pies. Fry them for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and look cooked through.
- Drain and Cool: Using a slotted spoon, gently lift the fried pies out of the hot oil. Place them on a wire rack that’s set over paper towels. This allows any excess oil to drain off, keeping them nice and crispy.
- Repeat and Enjoy!: Fry the remaining pies in batches, repeating the process until all your delicious copycat apple pies are ready to be devoured.
Substitutions & Creative Additions
Feeling adventurous? Here are some ways to put your own spin on this classic:
- Apple Varieties: While Granny Smith is traditional, feel free to mix in Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a slightly sweeter pie.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of ground ginger to the apple filling for extra warmth.
- Citrus Zest: A little bit of lemon zest in the filling can brighten up the apple flavor wonderfully.
- Sweetener Swap: If you prefer, you can use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar, but the brown sugar gives it that lovely caramel note.
- No Frying? While frying is key to the authentic McDonald’s taste, you could bake these at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown, though the texture will be different.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make all the difference:
- Oil Temperature is Key: Make sure your oil is at the correct temperature (350°F/175°C) before frying. If it’s too cool, the pies will absorb too much oil; if it’s too hot, they’ll burn before cooking through.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is crucial for even frying and crispiness. Fry in batches!
- Seal Them Well: Really press those fork tines around the edges to ensure a good seal.
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare the apple filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the pies and refrigerate them before frying, but be sure to let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before frying so they don’t shock the hot oil.
How to Store Your Delicious Pies
These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but if you happen to have any leftovers (unlikely, I know!), you can store them:
- At Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: To enjoy them warm again, you can pop them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at around 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions you might have:
Q: Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making my own?
A: Absolutely! The recipe calls for a package of refrigerated or frozen pie dough, which is a fantastic shortcut. Just make sure it’s thawed according to package instructions.
Q: What kind of apples are best for this recipe?
A: Granny Smith apples are ideal because their tartness balances the sweetness of the filling and they hold their shape well when cooked. Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples are also great options, or you can use a mix!
Q: How do I know when the oil is hot enough?
A: The best way is to use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to ensure it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have one, you can test it by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil; it should sizzle immediately and float to the top.
There you have it! Your very own batch of copycat McDonald’s Apple Pies, ready to bring smiles and deliciousness to your table. Enjoy every golden, gooey bite!
Copycat McDonald's Apple Pies
Recreate the iconic McDonald's apple pie at home with this easy recipe, featuring a flaky golden crust and a sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling.
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutter or glass 4-5 inches in diameter
- Medium bowl
- large skillet or Dutch oven for deep frying
- Thermometer candy or deep-fry thermometer
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Slotted spoon
- Wire rack
- paper towels
- Toaster oven or oven for reheating
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 package refrigerated or frozen pie dough thawed if frozen, or 2 disks of homemade flaky pie dough
- all-purpose flour for rolling
Frying Oil
- 6 cups vegetable or canola oil for deep frying
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg for golden sheen
Apple Filling
- 2 medium Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples about 12 ounces total, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 0.25 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1.5 teaspoons all-purpose flour for thickening
Instructions
- Prepare the pie dough according to package directions or use chilled homemade dough.
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples with butter, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of flour. Toss to coat.
- Lightly flour a work surface and roll out one disk of pie dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 4-5 circles, 4-5 inches in diameter, from the dough.
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of apple filling onto one half of each dough circle. Do not overfill.
- Brush the edges of the dough with water or egg wash. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a semi-circle. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Heat vegetable or canola oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk the egg in a small bowl for the egg wash. Brush the tops of the assembled pies with the egg wash.
- Carefully place 2-3 pies into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Remove the pies from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining pies in batches.
Notes
For optimal results, ensure the oil temperature is consistently at 350°F (175°C) during frying. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crispiness. Pies can be assembled ahead and refrigerated, but allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before frying.