The Ultimate Guide to Easy Homemade Mini Apple Pies: Perfect for Fall & Every Occasion

These Mini Apple Pies are incredibly easy to make and feature a luscious, simple homemade apple pie filling, all encased in a perfectly flaky crust. They are the quintessential mini dessert for fall, Thanksgiving, or any time you crave a comforting, individual apple treat!

Three mini apple pies on a decorative white plate. A small container of sliced apples and a fork are in the background.

If you’re a long-time follower, you might remember these absolutely adorable mini apple pies! I first shared this delightful recipe way back in 2017, and since then, it has blossomed into a cherished reader favorite, especially as the crisp air of autumn arrives and the holiday season approaches. There’s just something inherently charming and satisfying about a perfectly portioned dessert, isn’t there?

Much like my beloved carrot cake recipe, I felt it was high time to give this classic mini apple pie recipe a comprehensive refresh. I’ve enriched this post with even more detailed step-by-step photos and a wealth of additional tips and tricks, all designed to ensure your mini apple pies turn out absolutely perfect every single time. My goal is to guide you to create these irresistible individual apple pies with utmost confidence, whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey.

I wholeheartedly promise that this is one recipe you’ll want to bookmark and keep readily accessible for all your upcoming gatherings and holiday celebrations. These mini apple pies aren’t just delicious; they’re convenient, charming, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. After all, mini desserts often have a magical quality that makes them just a little bit better and more fun than their regular-sized counterparts. Don’t you agree?

Forget the fuss of slicing and serving a large pie. These individual apple pies offer the same incredible flavors and textures – a buttery, flaky crust giving way to a warm, spiced apple filling – but in a perfectly portable and presentation-ready package. They’re ideal for parties, potlucks, or simply as a special treat for yourself and your loved ones. Get ready to fall in love with these delightful autumn desserts!

An overhead view of the ingredients for this recipe in various bowls.

Why You’ll Adore These Easy Mini Apple Pies

These mini apple pies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a delightful experience. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire:

Perfectly Portioned: No need for cutting or serving utensils! Each guest gets their own adorable pie, making serving a breeze and minimizing mess.
Simple & Straightforward: Despite their impressive appearance, these mini pies are surprisingly easy to make, even for novice bakers. The homemade apple pie filling comes together in minutes.
Classic Flavors, Miniature Form: You get all the comforting, warm, and spicy goodness of a traditional apple pie packed into a cute, individual serving.
Versatile for Any Occasion: While they shine brightest in the fall and during holidays like Thanksgiving, these mini apple pies are wonderful year-round for birthdays, picnics, or a cozy weeknight treat.
Customizable Toppings: From a simple open-face to an elegant lattice or a rustic crumb topping, you can easily adapt the look to suit your preference or skill level.
Freezer-Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze them for future cravings. They reheat beautifully, offering a taste of homemade comfort whenever you desire.

Essential Ingredients for Your Mini Apple Pies

The ingredient list for these delicious mini apple pies is surprisingly short, simple, and utilizes pantry staples you likely already have on hand. It mirrors my classic apple pie recipe, but perfectly scaled down for these individual delights. Quality ingredients make all the difference, so let’s break down what you’ll need to create the best mini apple pies.

Pie Crust: You’ll need two pie crusts to create a dozen mini pies. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! You can certainly use my tried-and-true homemade pie crust recipe for that ultimate flaky, buttery goodness, which I highly recommend if you have the time. Alternatively, for a convenient shortcut that still yields fantastic results, simply grab a box of pre-made pie crusts from your local grocery store.
Apples: The heart of any great apple pie! For the best flavor and texture contrast, I personally love using a mix of sweet and tart apples. In this recipe, I opted for Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, which offer a delightful balance. Granny Smiths provide that essential tartness and hold their shape well during baking, while Honeycrisp adds sweetness and a lovely crisp texture. Other excellent choices for baking include Braeburn, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples. Whichever varieties you choose, ensure they are peeled, cored, and uniformly chopped into small pieces (about 1/2 inch) for even cooking.
Sugar: To keep the filling perfectly sweet without being overly cloying, this recipe calls for just 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. This amount allows the natural sweetness of the apples to shine through. If you prefer a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, or want a slightly chewier filling, feel free to substitute light or dark brown sugar.
All-Purpose Flour: This crucial ingredient acts as a thickening agent for the apple pie filling, preventing it from becoming too watery. It helps bind the juices released by the apples during baking, creating a beautifully cohesive and saucy filling. It’s incredibly important to measure your flour correctly – ideally by weight or using the spoon-and-level method – otherwise, you risk ending up with a dry, pasty filling if too much is added, or a runny one if too little.
Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile of the apple filling, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements the fruit and spices beautifully. I highly recommend sticking with pure vanilla extract; imitation vanilla simply does not provide the same rich, nuanced taste.
Spices: No apple pie is complete without a warming blend of spices! This recipe features ground cinnamon and a hint of ground nutmeg, which are classic companions to apples. These spices infuse the filling with that signature cozy, autumnal aroma and taste. Don’t hesitate to adjust the quantities to your personal preference! If you love a more pronounced spice blend, a tiny pinch of allspice or ground ginger could also be a wonderful addition.
Unsalted Butter: While technically optional, I’ve enthusiastically added a tablespoon of unsalted butter to this updated recipe. Diced and placed on top of the filling before baking, it melts into the apples, adding a luscious richness, extra moisture, and an undeniable depth of flavor that takes the filling from good to absolutely glorious. It contributes to that irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

An overhead view of pie crust being cut into 3.5-inch circles.

An overhead view of pie crust circles pressed into the cavities of a muffin pan.

How To Make Perfectly Portioned Mini Apple Pies

Crafting these mini apple pies is a joyful process that’s broken down into manageable steps. Follow these instructions carefully for the best results, and you’ll have a batch of adorable, delicious pies ready to impress!

Step 1: Prepare The Flaky Pie Crust

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for the crust to become wonderfully flaky as soon as the pies go in.
On a lightly floured surface, unroll your pie crusts. Using a rolling pin, gently roll them out until they are consistently about 1/8-inch thick. This ensures a tender, not overly thick, crust for your mini pies.
Next, use a 3.5-inch round cookie cutter to cut out 12 circles from the rolled-out pie crusts. If you don’t have a cookie cutter of the exact size, don’t fret! A drinking glass with an opening of similar diameter works just as well. Simply press firmly and twist to cut neat circles. Gather any leftover dough scraps, gently re-roll them (avoid overworking the dough to maintain flakiness), and cut out any remaining circles needed to reach 12.
Carefully press each pie crust circle into the cavities of a standard 12-cup muffin pan. You want the crust to fit snugly at the bottom and extend up the sides, creating a perfect cup for your filling. The edges can slightly overhang. Once all the cavities are lined, transfer the muffin pan and any remaining pie crust scraps (for decorative tops, if desired) to the refrigerator. Keeping the crust cold is key to preventing shrinkage and ensuring a wonderfully flaky texture once baked.

Apple pie filling mixed together in a glass mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

An overhead view of the apple pie filling evenly distributed between all of the pie crusts in a muffin pan.

Step 2: Craft the Delicious Apple Pie Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine your uniformly chopped apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg. Stir gently but thoroughly with a wooden spoon or spatula until all the apple pieces are evenly coated in the spice and sugar mixture. This ensures every bite of your mini pie is bursting with flavor.
Retrieve the chilled muffin pan from the refrigerator. Evenly spoon about 3 tablespoons of the prepared apple pie filling into each pie crust-lined cavity. Try to mound the filling slightly in the center, as apples will cook down during baking. If you are adding the optional butter (which I highly recommend for extra richness!), go ahead and dice your tablespoon of unsalted butter into 12 small pieces. Place one small piece of butter directly on top of the filling in each mini pie.

An angled view of small strips of pie crust being placed on top of the pies to create a lattice pie crust.

An overhead view of the baked mini apple pies in a muffin pan. Half of the mini pies have a lattice pie crust topping.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake to Golden Perfection

Now for the fun part: the toppings! If you have any leftover pie crust dough from earlier, this is your chance to get creative and add some charming decorations on top of your mini pies. I personally love to use it to create a simple lattice topping by cutting thin strips and arranging them in a crisscross pattern – no intricate weaving required for these small treats. You could also use small cookie cutters to cut out cute shapes like leaves, stars, or tiny apples to place on top. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to try a more traditional, intricate weave, I have a detailed post that shows you exactly how to make a lattice pie crust. For a super simple approach, you can even leave the tops completely open, or cover them with a full circle of dough and cut a small vent.
Carefully transfer the muffin pan filled with your assembled mini apple pies to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 18 to 23 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Keep a close eye on them; the pies are done when the pie crust is beautifully golden brown and the apple filling is visibly bubbling around the edges. This bubbling indicates that the filling is hot, the starches have thickened, and the apples are tender.
Once baked to perfection, remove the muffin pan from the oven. Let the mini pies cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes. This crucial cooling period allows the pies to set up properly and makes them much easier to remove without breaking. After this initial cooling, carefully remove each mini pie from its cavity and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Or, if you’re like me and can’t resist, let them cool just enough so they’re safe to eat warm, and enjoy!

A close up view of three mini apple pies on a white plate.

Storage & Freezing Instructions: Keep Your Pies Fresh

These delightful mini apple pies are wonderful whether served fresh from the oven or enjoyed later. Here’s how to store them to maintain their deliciousness:

Room Temperature Storage: For immediate enjoyment, store any leftover mini apple pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. While they are delicious at room temperature, for optimal freshness and a crispier crust, I recommend refrigerating them for longer periods.
Refrigeration: For extended freshness, transfer the cooled pies to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Chilling also helps the filling set even further.
Freezing for Later: These mini apple pies freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prepping desserts or saving for an unexpected craving. To freeze them, ensure each pie is completely cooled. Then, individually wrap each pie tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil (to prevent freezer burn). Place the wrapped pies in a large freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thawing & Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen mini pie, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can place them on the counter for several hours to bring them to room temperature for a quicker thaw. For reheating, see the tips below!

Two mini apple pies topped with a small scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. A fork and a few slices of apples lay on the plate next to the pies.

Expert Baking Tips for Mini Apple Pie Perfection

Achieving bakery-quality mini apple pies at home is entirely within reach with a few tried-and-true tips. These insights will help you navigate the baking process like a pro, ensuring flaky crusts, perfectly set fillings, and irresistible flavor every time.

Greasing the Muffin Pan: Pie crust typically contains a good amount of fat, which usually prevents it from sticking to a muffin pan. However, if you’re at all concerned about them sticking, especially if your pan isn’t non-stick, a light coating of nonstick cooking spray or a thin smear of butter in each cavity provides extra insurance for easy removal.
Topping Variations: While a classic lattice top is lovely, don’t feel constrained! You can simplify things by leaving the tops completely off – these open-faced mini apple pies still taste absolutely wonderful and are just as charming. Another fantastic option is to create a simple crumb topping for a different texture. I personally adore serving these warm with a little scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce on top.
Preventing Over-Browning: If you notice the tops of your pies are browning too quickly before the filling has had a chance to fully cook and bubble, simply place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the muffin pan. This acts as a shield, slowing down the browning process while allowing the filling to finish baking through.
The Egg Wash Option: I often skip an egg wash for these mini pies, as I find they brown beautifully on their own. However, if you prefer a shinier, richer golden-brown crust, an egg wash is an excellent addition. To prepare one, whisk together one egg with 1 tablespoon of milk or water until smooth. Gently brush this mixture over the top of the pie crust before baking. For a sparkling finish, you can also sprinkle a little coarse sugar over the egg wash.
Reheating Leftovers: To warm up leftover mini apple pies, you have a couple of options. For a quick reheat, microwave them in 20 to 30-second increments until they’re warmed through. If you prefer a crispier crust, which the microwave won’t achieve, reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.
Preventing a Soggy Bottom: To ensure a flaky bottom crust, always make sure your pie crust is well-chilled before baking. You can also par-bake the crusts for 8-10 minutes before adding the filling if you’re particularly worried about a soggy bottom, especially if your apples are very juicy.
Choosing the Right Apples: Don’t underestimate the power of a good apple blend! A mix of sweet and tart varieties, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, provides the best flavor dimension and texture contrast. Avoid overly soft or mealy apples, as they can turn to mush during baking.

Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Mini Pies

While these mini apple pies are utterly delightful on their own, a few thoughtful additions can transform them into an even more memorable dessert experience. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your homemade creations:

Classic à la Mode: A scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm mini apple pie is an iconic pairing for a reason. The cold, creamy ice cream perfectly contrasts the warm, spiced apple filling.
Caramel Drizzle: Enhance the sweetness and add a touch of sophistication with a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. The slight saltiness balances the sweetness beautifully.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream, perhaps infused with a hint of vanilla or cinnamon, adds a light and airy counterpoint to the rich pie.
Cheddar Cheese: For those who appreciate the sweet and savory combination, a thin slice of sharp cheddar cheese melted atop a warm apple pie is a traditional and surprisingly delicious pairing.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some toasted chopped pecans or walnuts over the top for added texture and a nutty flavor that complements the apples.
Dusting of Cinnamon Sugar: For a simple yet effective finish, a light dusting of cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and an appealing visual.

Even More Irresistible Apple Recipes To Try This Fall!

If these mini apple pies have ignited your love for apple desserts, you’re in for a treat! The versatility of apples makes them a star in countless comforting recipes. Here are some more of my favorite apple-centric dishes that are perfect for enjoying during the autumn season and beyond:

Classic Cinnamon Apple Crisp: A warm, bubbly apple filling topped with a buttery, crispy oat streusel. An absolute fall essential!
Delectable Apple Crumble Pie: The best of both worlds – a traditional apple pie filling crowned with a rich, crumbly topping instead of a full crust.
Moist Apple Bread (with cinnamon sugar topping!): A tender, spice-filled quick bread loaded with apple chunks and finished with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar crust. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Homemade Apple Fritters: Light, airy, and bursting with tender apples, these deep-fried delights are reminiscent of your favorite bakery treat.
Charming Apple Hand Pies: Another fantastic individual dessert option, these portable pies are perfect for on-the-go enjoyment or as a fun alternative to traditional pie.

Each of these recipes brings out the best in apples, ensuring your kitchen smells incredible and your taste buds are thoroughly satisfied throughout the fall season and beyond!

Mini Apple Pies

4.92 from 46 ratings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

These Mini Apple Pies are easy to make and filled with a simple homemade apple pie filling. The perfect mini dessert for fall!

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Ingredients

Servings: 12 mini pies

▢ 2 pie crusts homemade or store-bought
▢ 2 ½ cups chopped apples (315 grams)
▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour measured correctly (15 grams)
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
▢ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (15 grams) optional

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Roll the pie crusts out to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a 3.5-inch cookie cutter (or a cup) cut out 12 circles from the pie crusts. Re-roll any scrap pieces of pie dough as needed to cut out the circles.
Place each circle of pie crust in each cavity of a standard 12-count muffin pan. Gently press the dough down and around the sides, making sure the dough fits snuggly in each cavity of the muffin pan. Transfer the muffin pan and any leftover pie crust dough to the refrigerator while you make the filling.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the chopped apples, sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg until fully combined.
Remove the muffin pan from the refrigerator and evenly distribute the apple pie filling (about 3 tablespoons) between all of the cavities in the muffin pan.
Dice the tablespoon of butter into 12 small pieces and place one piece on top of the filling in each pie.
Remove the extra pie dough from the refrigerator, cut out your designs for the tops of the pies, and place them on top.
Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until the pie crust is lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove the mini pies from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Storage Instructions: Store any leftover mini apple pies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Danielle Rye

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