Spread the love

Amish Fry Pies are a classic homemade dessert featuring a flaky, golden fried crust filled with sweet fruit filling. This easy Amish fry pie recipe is perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or anytime you crave an old-fashioned treat!

Contents show

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Read my very boring disclosure for more information.

Old-fashioned desserts have a way of bringing back memories of family gatherings, church potlucks, and homemade treats fresh from the kitchen. These Amish fry pies are one of those classic recipes that never seem to go out of style. With their flaky golden crust and sweet fruit filling, they’re the kind of simple homemade dessert that makes you slow down and enjoy every bite.

With their flaky, golden crust and sweet fruit filling, these little hand pies are the perfect combination of comfort food and nostalgia. Whether you fill them with apple, peach, cherry, or blueberry filling, they are always a crowd-pleaser. I love making a batch when I want an old-fashioned dessert that feels extra special without requiring complicated ingredients.

If you’ve never made homemade Amish fry pies before, don’t worry. This recipe walks you through every step and delivers delicious results. Once you taste these crispy, flaky pies, you’ll understand why traditional Amish fried pies have remained a favorite for generations.

This is a pinnable post. Tap or hover over any image in this post to pin to your Pinterest Boards.

Image illustrates Amish fry pies recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Amish Fry Pies

These old fashioned Amish fry pies are easy to make and incredibly versatile. The homemade pastry dough creates a tender crust that fries up beautifully golden and crisp.

A few reasons you’ll love this recipe:

Simple pantry ingredients
Easy-to-follow instructions
Customizable fruit fillings
Perfect for holidays and family gatherings
Great for make-ahead desserts
Delicious served warm or at room temperature

Unlike store-bought pastries, these fruit-filled fry pies have a homemade flavor that simply can’t be beat!

Using both butter and shortening gives these Amish fry pies the perfect balance of flavor and flaky texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup cold butter, cubed
½ cup cold shortening
1 large egg
½ cup cold water

For the Filling

2 cups fruit pie filling of your choice

Popular filling options include:

Apple
Peach
Cherry
Blueberry
Strawberry

For Frying

Vegetable oil

Optional Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Amish Fry Pies

This recipe makes approximately 10 Amish fry pies, depending on the size of your dough circles.

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.

Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.

Shape the dough into two discs, wrap them, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step-by-step backyard farming tips in Becoming a Backyard Farmer!

Get it on Amazon →

Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ⅛-inch thickness.

Using a bowl, cutter, or large glass, cut circles approximately 5 to 6 inches in diameter.

Step 3: Fill the Pies

Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of fruit filling onto one half of each dough circle.

Be careful not to overfill. Too much filling can cause the pies to split during frying.

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape and crimp the edges securely with a fork.

Step 4: Fry the Pies

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.

Carefully place the pies into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan.

Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.

Transfer the finished pies to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Add the Glaze

For a sweet finishing touch, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Once the pies have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the tops.

Tips for Perfect Fry Pies

Making homemade Amish fry pies is simple, but these tips will help ensure success:

Keep the dough cold for the flakiest crust.
Seal the edges well with a fork.
Don’t overfill the pies.
Maintain an oil temperature of 350°F.
Fry only a few pies at a time.
Let excess oil drain before glazing.

Following these tips will help you create bakery-worthy traditional Amish fried pies every time.

Best Filling Ideas for Fruit-Filled Fry Pies

One of my favorite things about these fruit-filled fry pies is how easy they are to customize. While many traditional Amish fried pies are made with homemade dried fruit fillings such as dried apples, peaches, or apricots that have been cooked down until soft, this recipe uses prepared pie filling for convenience. The result is still a delicious homemade dessert with the flaky crust and sweet filling that make Amish fry pies so popular.

Some delicious filling options include:

Apple pie filling
Peach pie filling
Cherry pie filling
Blueberry pie filling
Strawberry pie filling
Mixed berry filling
Blackberry filling

If you grow your own fruit, homemade pie fillings can make these pies even more special.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover old fashioned Amish fry pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, freeze the cooled pies for up to 3 months.

To reheat:

Air fryer: 3 to 4 minutes at 350°F
Oven: 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F

This helps restore their crispy exterior while warming the filling.

Conclusion

These Amish fry pies are a wonderful reminder that some of the best desserts are also the simplest. With a flaky homemade crust, sweet filling, and golden fried finish, they deliver all the comfort and nostalgia of an old-fashioned family recipe.

Whether you’re making homemade Amish fry pies for a holiday gathering, church potluck, or weekend treat, they’re sure to disappear quickly. Try experimenting with different fruit fillings and discover your family’s favorite version of these classic, traditional Amish fried pies.

Amish Fry Pies

These Amish Fry Pies are a classic old-fashioned treat made with a tender homemade pastry crust and sweet fruit filling. Fried until golden brown and topped with a simple glaze, these handheld pies are perfect for dessert, potlucks, family gatherings, or an afternoon snack with coffee.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 20

Total Time 1 5

Servings 10 fry pies

Ingredients

For the Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
½ cup cold butter, cubed
½ cup cold shortening
1 large egg
½ cup cold water

For the Filling

2 cups fruit pie filling (apple, peach, cherry, blueberry, or your favorite)

For Frying

Vegetable oil, for frying

Optional Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
Cut in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water. Add to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness.
Cut into 5- to 6-inch circles.

Assembling the Fry Pies

Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of pie filling on one half of each circle.
Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.

Frying the Pies

Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot or deep skillet to 350°F.
Fry the pies for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Remove and place on paper towels to drain.

Optional Glaze

If desired, whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled pies.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Be careful not to overfill the pies or they may leak during frying.
Different fruit fillings can be used to create a variety of flavors.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Amish fry pies?

Amish fry pies are handheld pastries made with a flaky dough that is filled with fruit filling, folded over, sealed, and fried until golden brown.

2. Can I use canned pie filling?

Yes. Canned pie filling works perfectly and makes this recipe quick and convenient. Apple, cherry, peach, and blueberry are popular choices.

3. Can Amish fry pies be frozen?

Absolutely. Allow the pies to cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.

4. Why are my fry pies opening while frying?

This usually happens when the pies are overfilled or the edges aren’t sealed tightly. Crimp the edges firmly with a fork and avoid adding too much filling.