005: AIR FRYER APPLE HAND PIES

🍎 Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies — Golden Pockets of Comfort

Archetype: The Hearthkeeper — warm fruit, flaky crust, cinnamon sugar sparkle; a fairground favorite made home-fast.

🥣 What It Is

Mini apple pies you can hold in your hand — buttery pastry wrapped around cinnamon-apple filling, air fried to golden crisp. Make them classic (with sugar + pastry) or lighten them with whole-wheat wraps and monkfruit. Just 10 minutes of cooking, no oven needed.

🧾 Ingredients (makes 6–8 hand pies)

• Filling:
  • 2 medium apples, peeled + finely diced
  • 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil
  • 1–2 tbsp sugar (or monkfruit/allulose for SF)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • pinch nutmeg • pinch salt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
• Crust options:
  • 1 package refrigerated pie dough (classic flaky)
  • or whole-wheat tortillas / low-carb wraps (lighter, crisp too!)
• 1 egg, beaten (for sealing + gloss) — or milk for vegan
• Finish: 2 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or monkfruit blend)

✍️ Method (25–30 min total)

1. Make filling: In a skillet, sauté diced apples with butter, sugar/SF, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Cook 5–6 min until softened, slightly syrupy. Let cool.
2. Shape pies: Roll dough or cut tortillas into 4–5 inch circles. Spoon 1–2 tbsp apple filling in center. Fold over into half-moon, press edges with fork to seal. Brush tops lightly with egg wash.
3. Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place pies in basket (don’t overlap). Air fry 8–10 min until golden brown, flipping at 6 min if needed.
4. Finish: Brush lightly with melted butter (optional) and sprinkle cinnamon sugar while warm.
5. Serve: Best hot, with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt dip.

🌿 Maker’s Notes

• Shortcut: Use canned apple pie filling for ultra-fast version.
• Healthier path: Tortilla + monkfruit keeps it ~150 cal each, crisp but lighter.
• Other fruits: Try pear, peach, or berry mix with same method.
• Seal well: Press edges tight — a little water helps if not using egg wash.

📜 Lore / Origin

Hand pies were the traveler’s food — portable, self-contained pockets of fruit and pastry. The air fryer revives that spirit with modern speed: a rustic fairground treat in 10 minutes flat.

🌺 Benefits

• Portable joy: no plates needed
• Customizable: crust + filling your choice
• Two paths: indulgent or light, both delicious

🧭 Self-Score to 100

• Comfort Factor: 20/20
• Flavor Balance: 20/20
• Texture Contrast: 20/20
• Ease & Speed: 20/20
• Mythic Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — Golden hand-held comfort, crisp and warm.