Golden Air Fryer Apple Pies (Printer-Friendly)

Flaky hand pies with sweet spiced apple filling, crisped quickly in the air fryer for a warm, handheld treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2 cups diced tart apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
02 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Sweeteners and Spices

03 - 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Thickening Agent

06 - 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

→ Pastry

07 - 2 refrigerated pie crusts, thawed

→ Egg Wash

08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 tablespoon milk

→ Finishing Touch

10 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
11 - Optional: powdered sugar or glaze for dusting

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine diced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until apples soften and the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out both thawed pie crusts. Using a 4 to 5 inch round cutter or glass rim, cut eight circles. Re-roll scraps if necessary to obtain eight rounds in total.
03 - Place about 1 tablespoon of cooled apple filling in the center of four pastry rounds. Top each with a second round, pressing edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
04 - Whisk egg and milk until combined. Brush gently over the tops and edges of each hand pie. Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly on top.
05 - Heat the air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
06 - Arrange hand pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
07 - Transfer pies to a cooling rack and allow to cool until just warm. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze before serving.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Cool the apple filling entirely before assembling to prevent soggy crusts.
02 - Press edges firmly with a fork to avoid filling leakage during air frying.
03 - Brush off any excess flour from pastry before air frying for a shiny finish.