Picture biting into a perfectly crispy hand pie, still warm from the air fryer, as sweet cherry filling oozes out the sides. These air fryer hand pies bring all the comfort of traditional pastries but with a fraction of the effort.
These hand pies are special because the air fryer turns the outer crust into an impossibly flaky shell while keeping the filling perfectly heated through.
The high-speed hot air creates crispy pastry that you’d swear came from a bakery. While I’m partial to cherry filling, you can stuff these with whatever your family loves – apple, blueberry, or even chocolate hazelnut spread.
I first made these hand pies one rainy Sunday when my kids wanted dessert, but I couldn’t face the idea of a big baking project. Anyone can make a batch of these portable treats in under 30 minutes using store-bought pie crust and canned filling.
If you’ve been hesitant about making pastries, these air fryer hand pies are the perfect place to start. There’s no fussy dough-making, no hot oil to monitor, and no chance of a soggy bottom. Just perfectly portable pies that come together quickly enough for a weeknight dessert or an after-school snack.
Let me show you how to make these irresistible handheld treats that combine the convenience of modern cooking with the comfort of a traditional pie. I’ll share my simple step-by-step guide and answer all your questions. You’ll get maximum flavor with minimal effort!
Looking for more air fryer desserts? Try air fryer jelly donuts, blueberry pie bombs, or air fryer ice cream.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Pie crust: I’m all about keeping things simple and stress-free in the kitchen, so I love using store-bought pie crust for this recipe. Of course, if you’re feeling ambitious, feel free to make your own pie crust from scratch!
- Pie filling: I used a classic cherry pie filling for this recipe, but you can use any flavor you like.
- Spray oil
- Sparkling sugar or sprinkles: Optional.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Hand Pies
- Unroll your premade pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter or the rim of a cereal bowl to cut out circles from the rolled-out pie crust. Depending on the size of your crust, you should be able to get about 6-8 circles.
- Place a tablespoon of cherry filling on half of each pie crust circle, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Dip your finger in a bowl of water and run it around the edge of each filled circle. Then, fold the other half of the pie crust over the filling and use a fork to crimp the edges together, sealing the pie.
- Set your air fryer to 370 degrees F and let it preheat for a few minutes while you finish assembling the pies.
- If desired, lightly coat each hand pie with oil from a spray bottle and sprinkle some sparkling sugar on top.
- Place the hand pies in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other. Cook at 370°F for 5-8 minutes, keeping a close eye on them towards the end of the cooking time. When done, they should be golden brown and crispy.
🍴Serving Ideas
The filling will be hot, so let your air fryer hand pies cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. These delicious, homemade pies are perfect for a quick snack or dessert!
I love how easy these are to make and how versatile they are. Mix and match your favorite pie fillings, or create a variety for a fun dessert bar.
I love to make these when I want a quick and simple dessert for the family, like on a movie night or after one of the kids has had a tough day. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as an everyday snack, they’re sure to bring a smile to your face.
💭How to Store
Store cooled pies in an airtight container or zip-top bag. If you plan to eat them within a day or two, store them in the refrigerator. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving, or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.
If you want to store the pies for longer than a few days, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. To reheat, let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours, then warm them up in the air fryer or oven until crispy and heated through.
The crust may lose some of its crispiness after being stored in the refrigerator or freezer. To restore that crispy texture, pop the pies back into the air fryer for a minute or two before serving.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- It can be tempting to stuff your hand pies with as much filling as possible, but resist the urge! Overfilling the pies can cause the filling to leak out during cooking, making a mess and resulting in a soggy crust.
- Seal the edges well to prevent filling from leaking out of your hand pies. Use a fork to crimp the edges together, making sure there are no gaps or holes.
- Experiment with different fillings. You can use any flavor of pie filling you like or even make your own with fresh fruit.
- Hand pies are best served warm when the crust is crispy, and the filling is gooey and delicious. If you’re not serving them right away, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two before serving.
📝Reader Questions
Absolutely! If you have a favorite pie crust recipe, feel free to use that instead of the store-bought version. Just roll it out to about 1/8-inch thickness so it’s easy to work with.
Yes, you can bake these hand pies in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Just place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
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Air Fryer Hand Pies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box premade pie crust
- 6 tablespoons cherry filling
- spray oil
- sparkling sugar or sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Unroll the pie crust and cut out circles about 4 inches in diameter. A cereal bowl makes a good template.1 box premade pie crust
- Place a tablespoon of pie filling on one side of the pie crust.6 tablespoons cherry filling
- Get a bowl of water and dip a finger into it. Run your wet finger around the edge of the filled circle.
- Fold the pie crust over and use a fork to crimp the edges of the hand pie.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F.
- Lightly coat each hand pie with oil from a spray bottle. Add sprinkles or sparkling sugar if desired.spray oil, sparkling sugar or sprinkles
- Put the pies in the air fryer and cook at 370 F for 5-8 minutes. Watch them closely because they will brown quickly toward the end of the cooking time.
- Let the pies cool for 5-10 minutes before serving since the filling will be hot.
Notes
- Overfilling the pies can cause the filling to leak out during cooking, making a mess and resulting in a soggy crust.
- Seal the edges well to prevent filling from leaking out of your hand pies. Use a fork to crimp the edges together, making sure there are no gaps or holes.
- Experiment with different fillings. You can use any flavor of pie filling you like or even make your own with fresh fruit.
- Hand pies are best served warm when the crust is crispy, and the filling is gooey and delicious. If you’re not serving them right away, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two before serving.
- You can also bake these in the oven. Just place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
