Easy Apple Hand Pies For Kids (4 Ingredients)

Making hand pies for kids is a great way to get lunch on the table quickly.

You can make them ahead and pack them in the lunchbox for school. You can also eat them as a snack.

These hand pies will bring you the flavor of fall spices in every bite. 

Why I Love This Apple Hand Pie For Kids

These apple hand pies for kids can be made easily with a few common household ingredients.

They don’t contain a lot of sugar like other recipes either.

Another thing I love about these hand pies is that you can make them in large batches and freeze some for later.

They’re great to pack for lunch boxes and can be eaten as lunch or a snack.

You should also try – 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies For Baby & Toddlers (No Sugar, No Flour)

Important Recipe Notes on Hand Pies for Kids

You can adjust the sweetness level

You can make the hand pies sweeter if that’s how you prefer it.

All you need to do is add some more brown sugar or maple syrup to the apples as you cook it in the pan. 

Doing so will allow the apples to soak up the sugary liquid much better. 

Don’t forget to chill the dough 

When making pies, it’s important to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes or more. 

This will make it easier for you to knead and mold the dough. 

Room temperature dough will crumble and not stick together when molding them. 

Recipe Variations on Hand Pies For Kids

You can use any fruit of your choice to make these hand pies 

The most beautiful thing about hand pies is that you can make them unique by adding any fruit of your choice.

I’ve added nectarines in the past to make apple nectarine hand pies. You can also use blueberries, raspberries, and other seasonal fruits to make them.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients For Kid-friendly Hand Pies

Flour – all-purpose flour works best to make these apple hand pies. I’ve tried using whole wheat flour before and it doesn’t form a good dough.

Butter – make sure you let the butter come to room temperature instead of melting it from frozen. This results in a better dough.

Water – this is used to help form the dough 

Apples – use the sweeter varieties like red delicious or honey crisp. They make a better filling. You can also use tart apples for a sour flavor if you prefer. 

Maple syrup – this is my preferred sweetener because it’s more natural. You can also use brown sugar if you want. 

Spices – I like using nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and vanilla. They give the hand pies a fall flavor. 

Egg wash – you need to make an egg wash by combining egg and milk. This is optional though. 

Step-by-Step Instructions   

Cooking Directions For Toddler Hand Pies 

To make the crust

• Combine the flour and butter in a bowl. Mix them by hand until they resemble breadcrumbs. 
• Add the water 1 tsp at a time. Mix until it forms a dough. 
• Wrap the dough in a cling wrap and cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Making the filling 

• Set a pan on medium heat. Add the chopped apples and let it saute for 1 minute.
• Reduce the heat to a medium-low, and add the maple syrup and spices. Allow it to come to a low boil.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook for an additional 10 minutes. 
• Remove the pan from the heat and mash the apples until they become a lumpy sauce. 

Make the egg wash 

• Whisk the milk and eggs together in a small bowl. 

Making the hand pies

• Set oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place cold dough on the counter sprinkled with flour. Cut out a little piece and roll it flat with a rolling pin.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut a perfect circle if you prefer (optional).
• Scoop some hand pie filling onto the center. 
• Roll out another piece of dough, and use it to cover the pie filling. 
• Use a fork to press down on the corners of the pie to connect the two pieces. 
• Poke a few tiny holes on top of the pie, so it can breathe when it bakes. 
• Brush the top of the pie with an egg wash. 
• Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and serve warm.

FAQs About Hand Pies For Kids

How do you keep hand pies from getting soggy overnight?

You can keep hand pies from getting soggy overnight by keeping them in an airtight container like a Pyrex.

How To Cut Hand Pies For Babies and Toddlers 

6-9 Months old

Children between 6-9 months old can have apple hand pies cut in half. This will allow them to grab it easily and feed themselves.

Make sure that the filling in the hand pies is cooked soft enough and doesn’t include any seeds,  nuts, or hard small pieces to avoid the risk of choking.

9-12 months old

Kids between 9 -12 months old can eat apple hand pies cut in half. They will be able to grab them more easily this way.

12- 24 months and older

Toddlers between 12-24 months can enjoy whole apple hand pies. At this age, they should be skilled in eating independently.

Storage Tips for Apple Hand Pies For Kids

Can I refrigerate Apple hand pies for toddlers?

You can refrigerate these hand pies for toddlers for up to a week in the fridge.

Make sure you store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag to maintain their freshness.

Can I freeze apple hand pies for kids?

You can make those hand pies for kids and freeze the excess. 

To do so, place a piece of parchment paper in between each hand pie. 

Stack them up in a Pyrex container or a ziplock back so they don’t touch each other. 

This will allow you to separate them easily when you’re ready to eat them. 

Reheating Apple Hand Pies for Toddlers

In the oven

You can reheat these hand pies for kids in the microwave after they’ve been defrosted. 

Place them in a baking tray and heat them for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the center is hot.

In the microwave 

The easiest way to reheat these apple hand pies for toddlers is to microwave them.

Set your microwave to 70% power and heat them for 2-3 minutes or until the center is hot. 

Tips for Picky Eaters

Don’t pressure

Give your baby or toddler a chance to say no. It’s okay if they don’t like what we serve them. Keep trying. 

It takes at least 30 exposures for a baby to begin liking a food, so don’t give up.

Make it into a game

Sometimes I create games around the food I serve to get my kids interested in eating. 

A game we’ve played in the past is called “Here comes the airplane… open the garage”. This encourages them to open their mouth as I bring the food in like an airplane.

Sometimes my kids will try new foods this way.

Related recipes 

• Easy Baked Apple Slices For Baby & Toddlers (2 Ingredients)
• 3-Ingredient Healthy Apple Fritters For Babies (Dairy-Free)
• Delicious Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Bar For Baby

Did you make this baby-led weaning lunch recipe? 

Let me know in the comments how it turned out!