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These stunning little Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies are a delightful serving-sized sweet treat of flaky golden crust packed with cherry pie filling, cooked quickly, then glazed with sugary sheen perfection.
In about 40 minutes, you’ll have a cherry pie dessert everyone will be raving about. In fact, toss a bit of flour on your face when you are done, and no one will know you didn’t take hours to make them!
Air fryer recipes are like that. They are not only a healthier way to fry decadent goodies but also lightning-fast and cook to perfection every time! If you think that is an excellent idea for your busy schedule, try these Air Fryer Hot Dogs.
For a side dish or a simple appetizer, try my Air Fryer Corn Ribs! Or complete any multi-step long cook time recipe like my Homemade Lasagna with a batch of Air Fryer Texas Toast Garlic Bread.
These mini cherry pies are the perfect sweet treat for any celebration! Since they are so quick and easy to make, why not try them out for a Back to School first day snack?
Or take a batch to the next women’s gathering at the church. Add a dish of my Overnight Breakfast Casserole, and you’ll have them asking for the recipe! (P.S.- direct them here! haha)
Why We Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
Simple Syrup Glaze
To get that sugary glossy shine dripping all over the crust, make this Simple Syrup Glaze.
Sugar | Use regular white sugar for that clear glaze allowing the crust to gleam deliciousness.
Water | Water simply helps the coarse sugar melt and spread thinly all over the golden crust.
Thick Glaze Topping
Want an even thicker Glaze Topping? Skip the Simple Syrup Glaze and Mix this Sugary Glaze.
Powdered Sugar | Powdered sugar will give that sweet icing taste to your pies.
Milk | Thin the glaze out with milk for a thick white creamy glaze.
How to make Mini Cherry Pies
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Make Simple Syrup Glaze
This simple syrup glaze leaves a shiny look on the top of the cherry hand pies. However, if you want a thicker glaze, use my suggestions for a thicker powdered sugar glaze. This glaze is made with powdered sugar and milk for a creamy, dreamy icing glaze.
Either way, measure out the two ingredients in equal parts. For the Simple Syrup Glaze, put the two ingredients in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Stir the mixture and watch until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then remove the pan from the heat.
*Warning- Sugar burns easily—so make sure you are watching the pot!
For a thicker glaze consistency, make my Powdered Sugar Glaze by whisking the sugar and milk together in a small bowl until they are smooth. (notes in the recipe card) No cooking needed!
Then if you want that thick glaze to shine, add a bit of corn syrup, and Voila! Simply decadent, y’all!
Step 2 | Prepare Cherry Hand Pie Crusts
Begin with the pre-made pie crust. Before you unroll it, allow the crust to get to almost room temperature. It will be much easier to work with when it is not quite as cold and stiff.
Then, unroll the pie dough onto a sheet of parchment paper or a floured surface. Then grab a biscuit or cookie cutter and cut all the rounds you can out of your crust.
Use that crust again and again until you have gotten all the fruit pies you can cut out of it. You can simply ball the scrap dough up and re-roll it with a rolling pin until there are no more scraps. I usually get about 12 rounds or six pies out of the two pie crust box.
Step 3| Prep the Crusts
You are ready to brush all those rounds with the beaten egg. Whisk the egg and get a pastry brush to paint half of those rounds.
Yes, now you scoop on the cherry pie filling– but wait a second. Before you do, use a sharp knife to cut three slits in the center of the other six rounds. They will be the top crusts.
Step 4 | Add the Filling and Close the Pies
Okay, back to the rounds you brushed with egg– now you will add a spoonful of cherry pie filling to the center of those six crusts. Remember to keep the rim of the pie crusts showing and clean so you can easily press the crusts together to contain the cherry goodness!
Pro-tip: This is a good time to preheat the Air Fryer.
Then take the top crusts and place them over the filled rounds matching the edges all the way around.
Press the edges together by crimping with a fork or a crimper tool and seal the filling inside.
Finish the pies with a top brushing of the beaten egg. Now you are ready to cook these gorgeous pies.
Step 5 | Air Frying Cherry Hand Pies
If you have not yet, preheat your Air Fryer to 350°F and get ready to fry those pies.
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Place the hand pies gently in the air fryer basket and cook them as directed in the recipe card. They will be golden brown and flaky when done.
Then remove the pies to a cooling rack, and be sure to place some parchment or a baking sheet underneath to catch any ooey gooey drips!
Tips
- Do not overfill as they may split or bake out of the edges.
- Fill the air fryer basket with as many as will fit in an even layer allowing for some space around each pie to allow for proper air circulation.
- This simple syrup glaze creates a nice shiny surface. You can also sprinkle with sugar instead of glazing.
- Keep in mind that air fryer cook times may vary as each appliance is slightly different.
Step 6 | Glaze Away
Go ahead and get that pastry brush out of the egg mixture and give it a good wash and dry. Then you can use it to brush on the glaze!
Brush the glaze on when the pies are still warm and allow the pies time to set, the glaze to dry, and the pies to cool completely.
By now, your mouth is watering, and the troops are begging for a bite! So go ahead and serve the pretty pies– I dare you not to fall in love with these scrumptious beauties!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Cherry Pies
This easy dessert is superb all on its own, but you can always add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or a hearty scoop of vanilla ice cream. And if you are simply cherry-crazed, add a teaspoon of cherry pie filling to the top of the ice cream!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure you can! Use peach or apple pie filling for totally different and equally good mini pies! Making a sweet treat for a patriotic holiday? Why not make a batch with cherry filling and a batch with blueberry filling? All American goodness.
This easy recipe is made with cherries- that are obviously red! The good news is that red goes with almost all the holidays! Well, all but Easter, really. So make them a valentine’s day treat, a patriotic dessert, Christmas sweets, and more!
I suppose that is up to you– but the idea here was to make a quick and simple dessert that looks decadent and like you spent a ton of time! In that case, you would need to make a filling with fresh fruit, sugar, and cornstarch. But that is a whole other recipe!
Storage and Freezing
Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store on the countertop for 3 days.
Freeze: Place the completely cooled cherry hand pies on a baking sheet and freeze until frozen solid (about 1 hour). Then transfer the hand pies to a freezer-safe container or freezer Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw from Frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2 hours.
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Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 can cherry pie filling, (21 ounce)
- 1 large egg, beaten
Simple Syrup Glaze
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
For a Thicker Glaze (if using you don't need simple syrup glaze)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Prepare Hand Pies
- Unroll the pie crust onto a sheet of parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Use a 4-inch biscuit cutter (or a large cookie cutter) and cut as many rounds as possible.
- Press the excess dough into a ball and roll out again with a rolling pin to cut additional crusts (trying to roll out to the same thickness as the original crusts). You should be able to get 12 total (6 pies) from the two refrigerated pie crusts. Or you can purchase additional pie crust if you do not want to roll out the dough.
- Brush half of the rounds with the beaten egg and then spoon a scoop of the cherry filling on them.
- Use a sharp knife to cut three holes in the middle of the other half of the rounds.
- Now place the cut rounds over the cherry filling rounds – matching the edges together all the way around. Press down the edges to steal the crusts. This can be done by crimping with a fork a round dough crimper, or by pressing together with fingers. If the dough isn't sticking well you can use a little water.Then brush these top rounds with the beaten egg.
Make Simple Syrup Glaze
- Combine equal parts of granulated sugar and water. Bring it to a simmer and cook until the sugar has dissolved. *You can also use a powdered sugar/milk glaze for a thicker consistency – See note below
Air Fry Cherry Hand Pies
- Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes at 350°F or use the pre-heat function if the air fryer has one.
- Place the cherry hand pies on the air fryer basket and cook for about 7 to 10 minutes (or until golden brown and flaky). Remove to a cooling rack with parchment paper underneath.
- Use a pastry brush to top the warm hand pies with the simple syrup glaze. Then let the hand pies set, dry, and cool.
- Serve and Enjoy!
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Video
Notes
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-3 tablespoons milk (add until desired consistency)
- Do not overfill as they may split or bake out of the edges.
- Fill the air fryer basket with as many as will fit in an even layer allowing for some space around each pie to allow for proper air circulation.
- This simple syrup glaze creates a nice shiny surface. You can also sprinkle with sugar instead of glazing.
- Keep in mind that air fryer cook times may vary as each appliance is slightly different.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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