Desserts
McDonald's Inspired Apple Pie
A flaky, golden pastry filled with warm cinnamon-spiced apples. This homemade version captures the crisp crust and sweet apple filling of the classic fast-food favorite.
Inspired by McDonald's
Prep
25 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
8 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Cooking Tools
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 10 ingredients
- • 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- • 1/4 cup brown sugar
- • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- • 2 refrigerated pie crusts
- • 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
- • Vegetable oil, if frying instead of baking
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and dicedMissing
- 1/4 cup brown sugarMissing
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugarMissing
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamonMissing
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmegMissing
- 1 tablespoon lemon juiceMissing
- 1 tablespoon cornstarchMissing
- 2 refrigerated pie crustsMissing
- 1 egg, beaten for egg washMissing
- Vegetable oil, if frying instead of bakingMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
Dice apples small enough to soften before the pastry over-browns, and cook until the filling leaves a clear trail across the pan. Cool it completely before filling so steam does not weaken the seals.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Cool baked pies and refrigerate in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes; freeze unbaked sealed pies up to 1 month. Fried pies are best the same day and should not be microwaved if crispness matters.
Make-ahead tips
Cook the filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it. Assemble pies several hours ahead and keep chilled, or freeze them unbaked; apply egg wash just before baking.
What to serve with it
- - Vanilla ice cream
- - Unsweetened coffee or tea
- - A light dusting of cinnamon sugar
Equipment needed
- - Medium saucepan
- - Rolling pin and pastry wheel
- - Sheet pan and wire rack
Difficulty explained
The medium rating comes from thickening and cooling the filling, sealing each pastry, and judging a crisp bake.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
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Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Granulated sugar plus molasses
For each cup, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses.
Canola oil
Use canola oil in the same amount.
Arrowroot starch
Use an equal amount of arrowroot starch for thickening or crisp coatings.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Warm or runny filling leaks and steams the pastry; cool it fully and cook until thick before assembly.
- Overfilling prevents a clean seal; leave at least a 1/2-inch dry border and press out trapped air.
- The filling stays much hotter than the crust, so cool pies several minutes before biting or serving to children.
Nutrition Context
- Apples provide some fiber, but pastry and added sugars make this a dessert; the estimate assumes baking rather than frying.
- Using less filling sugar or serving one pie without ice cream moderates added sugar while keeping the crisp pastry experience.
FAQ
Why must the apple filling cool before assembly?
Hot filling melts the pastry fat and makes the dough difficult to seal. Cooling also thickens the cornstarch-bound juices so they stay inside.
Which apples work best?
Granny Smith apples hold their shape and balance the sugar. Honeycrisp or Braeburn can be mixed in for a sweeter, more aromatic filling.
How do I stop the pies from leaking?
Use a modest amount of filling, leave a clean border, press out trapped air, and crimp firmly with a fork. Cut small top vents.
Can these pies be baked instead of fried?
Yes. Brush with egg wash and bake until deeply golden and crisp. The crust will be flakier and less blistered than a fried version.
How should apple pies be stored and reheated?
Refrigerate cooled pies in a covered container and reheat in a 350 F oven or air fryer. Let the hot filling rest before biting.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Vanilla ice cream; Unsweetened coffee or tea; A light dusting of cinnamon sugar. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.