Southern Fried Pie Dough (Incredibly Easy)

Southern fried pie dough is a delicious fried pie recipe you can throw together in minutes. It has a sweet and savory apple pie filling that really elevates this recipe to the next level. It’s so easy to create, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

What is Southern Fried Pie Dough?

So, here is what I can tell you about old-fashioned fried pies! It’s a delicious pastry dough that is commonly used to make sweet fruit-filled pies. It’s for sure a known classic Southern recipe that is loved for its flaky texture and buttery flavor. The dough is typically a  homemade pie crust with flour, butter, or shortening, with a little bit of sugar and a pinch of salt, but in this recipe, I will show you step-by-step instructions with apple filling and store-bought pie crust. So, we can assure you that you won’t have a hard time making it.

Ingredients You Will Need For Southern Fried Pie Dough

Pie Dough Sheet- I used the Pillsbury dough sheet, but there are many other options for you to go with that I will state below in substitutions.

Vegetable Oil- You will need about 1 inch of oil to get that crisp, flaky texture.

 Apple Pie Filling- I used a can of apple pie filling to make this recipe even easier.  It reminds me of apple pie recipes but without all of the work. No potato masher is needed. Easy peasy.

Butter- This will help to bring out all of the flavors once you take them out of the hot oil.

Brown Sugar- This step is optional but definitely recommended. Using brown sugar complements the apple pie filling. You can also make a simple glaze.

Powdered Sugar- Another optional step that will help bring in a ton of flavor to your Southern fried pie dough.

All-Purpose Flour- it’s needed to make sure that the dough doesn’t stick to the counter.

How To Make Southern Fried Pie Dough

Roll out your pie dough sheet on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick.

• Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough. The size of the circles will depend on how big you want your fried pies to be.

• Place a spoonful of apple pie filling (or your preferred filling) onto one side of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.

• Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together gently to seal the pie.

• In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. You’ll need enough oil to submerge the pies partially.

• Once the oil is hot, carefully place 2-3 pies into the pan at a time, making sure not to overcrowd it. Deep fry them for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

• Once fried, remove the pies from the oil and place them on a paper towel or baking sheet to absorb any excess oil.

• While the pies are still warm, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle some brown sugar on top for a delicious, sweet touch.

• Repeat the frying process with the remaining pies until they’re all cooked.

• Allow the fried pies to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving, as the filling may be hot.

Substitutions/ Variations

Biscuit Dough- If you don’t have any pie dough sheets at your local grocery store, you can always use canned biscuits. You will need a rolling pin to flatten the dough.

Fresh Peaches- Switch up the recipe and make fried peach pies; use fresh peaches or some crisp apples from an apple orchard or Granny Smith apples. 😀 You will need a recipe for the fresh fruit glaze. I will link one here. Oh, and try to stay away from dried apples.

Cinnamon Sugar- If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use cinnamon sugar. They both are very similar in taste.

Equipment

1. Mixing Bowl: Use a large mixing bowl to combine the dry ingredients and cut in the butter.

2. Whisk or Fork: Whisk the flour and salt together, ensuring they are well combined.

3. Pastry Cutter or Fingers: You can use a pastry cutter or fingers to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Measuring Cups and Spoons: You’ll need measuring cups to measure the flour and water accurately and measuring spoons for the salt.

5. Rolling Pin: A rolling pin will be necessary to roll out the dough to your desired thickness. If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use a clean, smooth bottle.

6. Fork or Fingertips: To seal the edges of the filled pies, you can use a fork to crimp them or use your fingertips to press and seal the dough together.

Storage

1. Allow the turnovers to cool: Before storing, make sure the fried pie dough is completely cooled. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the pastry soggy.

2. Wrap tightly: Individually wrap each

 in plastic or aluminum foil. This will help keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.

3. Refrigerate: Place the wrapped apple turnovers in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

4. Freeze for longer storage: If you want to store the turnovers for a longer period, you can freeze them. Place the wrapped turnovers in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

5. Thawing and reheating: To enjoy the apple turnovers, remove them from the refrigerator or freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, you can reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave them on low power in short intervals until heated to your liking.

Tips

• Try not to put too much apple pie filling into the dough. If you add too much, the gooey filling will come from out of the sides.

• Allow the fried pie dough recipe to cool for at least 4 to 5 minutes. This will help in ensuring no one gets burned.

In Conclusion

These delicious fried apple pies can be made in a matter of minutes. Not to mention how good they are. This is definitely one of those old recipes that you can appreciate. Serve with some vanilla bean ice cream, and you are good to go!