Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Sweetness by Nature: We often think that “dessert” has to mean a “sugar bomb,” but these Apple Hand Pies prove that nature provides everything we need. I created this recipe for those cozy nights when you want something warm and comforting without the “sugar crash.” Using a blend of honey and citrus to pull out the natural sugars in the apples makes every bite taste like a fresh harvest.
The Vegan Comfort Hack: These hand pies are 100% vegan-friendly, using a “shattering” crust made with Olive Oil Butter. It’s a plant-based twist on a classic that doesn’t sacrifice that flaky, buttery texture we all crave. It’s the perfect “hand-held” hug for your family and guests!
To get that perfect “pocket” of apple goodness and a crust that stays crisp, follow these three professional secrets:
The “Olive Oil Butter” Chill: Just like with dairy butter, your Olive Oil Butter must be ice-cold. If it’s too soft, the crust will be oily instead of flaky. Pop your cubed vegan butter in the freezer for 10 minutes before cutting it into the flour to ensure those beautiful, flaky layers.
The “Thickener” Trick: Make sure your apple filling has cooled completely before you assemble the pies. If the filling is hot, it will melt the fat in the dough, leading to a soggy crust. The Cornstarch acts as a “glue” to keep the juices thick inside the pie rather than leaking out in the oven.
The “Fork Seal” Technique: To keep your pies from bursting, press the edges firmly with a fork to create a “crimped” seal. Then, use a sharp knife to cut two small slits in the top of each pie. This allows steam to escape so your pies stay crisp and don’t “puff” too much.
Troubleshooting: If the dough feels too crumbly to roll, add your cold water one tablespoon at a time. You want the dough to just hold together—if it’s too wet, it will become tough after baking.
Strictly Vegan: To keep this 100% plant-based for your vegan readers, swap the honey for Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup. It provides that same sticky sweetness while staying entirely vegan.
The “Orange Zest” Boost: For an even brighter flavor, add the zest of the orange you used for the juice. The oils in the skin add a “Bistro-style” gourmet touch that makes the apples pop.
Fruit Swaps: This exact same vegan crust works wonders with Pears or Blackberries. You can even do a “Michigan Harvest” mix by adding some dried cherries to your apple filling.
Nutty Crunch: Brush the tops of the pies with a little oat milk and sprinkle some Crushed Pistachios or coarse sugar (if using) for a beautiful, crunchy finish.
The “A La Mode” Upgrade: Serve these warm with a dollop of your Overnight Yogurt (strained to be thick) or a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream. The contrast of the hot apples and cold topping is pure magic. The “Grab-and-Go” Snack: These are the ultimate “Hand-Held” desserts. They pack perfectly into lunchboxes alongside your Healthy Chicken Nuggets or make for a great “Sweet Breakfast” on the go.
Storage & Reheating: These pies stay fresh for 3 days in an airtight container. To get that “just-baked” crunch back, don’t use the microwave—pop them in the Air Fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months!

No ratings yet

Apple Hand Pies with Vegan Crust

My Wonderful Apple Hand pies. No Sugar added, Sweet from Natural source. With Delicious Vegan pie crust (Olive oil butter). Make this the Guilty free dessert that you can enjoy with your loved ones. Easy to make and very healthy. Let's make this now! You won't be disappointed!

Prep Time1 40

Active Time13

Total Time1 53

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple pie, hand pie, homemade pie crust, vegan

Yield:

Calories: 250kcal

Cost: $13

Equipment

1 Baking Pan for baking
1 Pan for cooking apples
1 Rolling Pin
1 egg wash brush

Materials

7-8 apples
1.5 tablespoons Cinnamon
0.5 cup Orange juice
1 tablespoon Honey
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
For Homemade Vegan Pie Crust:
3 cups of All purpose Flour
1 cup Olive Oil butter/Vegan butter
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4-1/2 cup Cold water
2 tablespoons sugar optional

Instructions

Peel all the apples and cut hem into small cubes and put them in the pan
season the cut apples with cinnamon, honey, orange juice and cornstarch
cook it until soften, around 15 minutes
let it cool before stuffing into the pie
Start rolling out your pie crust. You can check out the recipe on this website for how to make a homemade vegan pie crust. We will use only half of the dough, which makes about 15 hand pies.
Roll the pie crust into a rectangular shape and cut it evenly into small rectangles. Gather the excess dough, re-roll it, and cut again until you have approximately 15 hand pies.
Next, start stuffing the apple filling into each hand pie, about 1 teaspoon per pie. Close the pies and use a fork to press around the edges to seal. Repeat until all the hand pies are filled.
Place about 6 hand pies on a parchment-lined baking pan, leaving space between each one. Brush with egg wash and bake at 400°F for 13 minutes, or until golden brown.
repeat the process and bake the second batch. Enjoy!