The Tastiest Apple Pie Bombs Recipe for Sweet Snackers

Sweet, golden pastry pockets filled with cinnamon-spiced apple pie bombs burst with homemade comfort and nostalgic flavor.

These delightful treats combine flaky dough with warm, tender apples in every bite.

Crisp autumn afternoons call for something truly special from the kitchen.

Each bomb delivers a perfect balance of buttery crust and caramelized fruit filling that melts in your mouth.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a touch of love, these handheld desserts transform ordinary moments into delicious memories.

Prepare to surprise and delight everyone at your next gathering with these irresistible apple pie bombs.

Why Apple Pie Bombs Are a Sweet Surprise

• Transform classic apple pie into bite-sized, crispy delights that burst with sweet, spiced flavor in every single bite.
• Impress friends and family using simple store-bought crescent dough and basic kitchen ingredients, creating restaurant-quality treats without professional baking skills.
• Perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, dessert parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings – these bombs work wonderfully as crowd-pleasing snacks that everyone will adore.
• Learn an easy cooking method that combines frying and baking, ensuring golden-crisp exterior and perfectly cooked interior with minimal culinary expertise required.

What You Need to Make Apple Pie Bombs

• Granny Smith Apples: Tart and firm apples that provide a perfect texture and balanced flavor for the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the apple filling.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice flavor to enhance the apple mixture.
• Lemon Juice: Helps prevent apple browning and adds a subtle tangy note.
• Water: Creates the base liquid for the apple filling sauce.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling to the right consistency.

• Pillsbury Crescent Dough: Convenient base that creates a flaky exterior for the pie bombs.
• Sugar: Used for creating the sweet cinnamon coating.
• Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet spice to the exterior of the pie bombs.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the pie bombs to achieve a golden brown exterior.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides a rich, sweet drizzle for the final presentation.

How to Make Apple Pie Bombs at Home

Step 1: Whip Up Flavorful Apple Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice.

Heat the mixture over low flame, stirring constantly.

Watch as the sauce transforms into a thick, smooth consistency in about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Cook Apple Filling

Fold diced Granny Smith apples into the sauce, ensuring each piece gets perfectly coated.

Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes until apples soften while maintaining a slight crunch.

Remove from heat and allow filling to cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare Crescent Dough

Spread out Pillsbury crescent dough on a lightly floured surface.

Pinch together the perforated seams to create a smooth, seamless sheet.

Gently roll the dough to achieve an even thickness.

Step 4: Cut Dough Squares

Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 2½ to 3-inch squares that will become the outer shell of your pie bombs.

Step 5: Assemble Pie Bombs

Place a spoonful of cooled apple filling in the center of each dough square.

Fold opposite corners toward the center, completely covering the filling.

Pinch seams tightly to seal in the delicious apple mixture.

Step 6: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan, reaching about an inch deep.

Heat to medium temperature.

Test oil readiness by dropping a small dough piece – it should sizzle and float immediately.

Step 7: Fry Pie Bombs

Gently lower assembled bombs into hot oil.

Fry until achieving a gorgeous golden-brown color, approximately 1-2 minutes per side.

Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain consistent oil temperature.

Step 8: Finish Baking

Transfer fried bombs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Move to a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring complete internal cooking.

Step 9: Add Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon

The residual heat helps the sweet coating stick perfectly.

Step 10: Serve with Flair

Arrange bombs on a serving platter.

Drizzle with luscious caramel sauce just before serving for an extra touch of indulgence.

Enjoy these crispy, gooey treats warm and fresh!

Tips for Delicious Apple Pie Bombs

• Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to stop the crescent dough from clinging and tearing during preparation.
• Pinch the dough edges firmly when forming bombs to prevent filling from leaking during frying, ensuring a perfect sealed pocket.
• Use a cooking thermometer or test oil with a small dough piece to maintain consistent 350-375°F for even, golden-brown frying without burning.
• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor balance in the filling, avoiding mushy or overly sweet varieties.
• Place fried pie bombs on paper towels to absorb excess oil, keeping the exterior crispy and preventing a greasy finish.

Keeping Apple Pie Bombs Fresh and Tasty

• Store leftover apple pie bombs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
• Carefully wrap each pie bomb individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pie bombs on a baking sheet and warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through. This method helps restore their crispy exterior and warm, gooey interior.
• Place pie bombs on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 20-30 seconds. While quick, this method may slightly soften the crispy exterior, so use sparingly.

Pairing Suggestions for Apple Pie Bombs

• Pair with Warm Vanilla Chai Latte: Create a spicy-sweet companion that mirrors the cinnamon notes in the apple pie bombs, enhancing the dessert's warm, comforting flavors with complementary aromatic spices.
• Match with Aged Bourbon: Select a smooth, caramel-forward bourbon that amplifies the richness of the fried pastry and echoes the deep, complex sweetness of the caramel drizzle.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Offer a cool, creamy contrast to the crispy, warm pie bombs, with the vanilla's subtle sweetness cutting through the dessert's richness and providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Complement with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Craft a light, airy topping that doubles down on the pie bombs' warm spice profile, adding an extra layer of indulgence and textural interest.

Flavor Twists on Classic Apple Pie Bombs

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace Pillsbury crescent dough with gluten-free pastry dough or a homemade gluten-free dough made from almond flour and xanthan gum.
• Vegan Apple Pie Bombs: Swap crescent dough with plant-based puff pastry, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and replace sugar with maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the apple filling and coating, and opt for a sugar-free caramel sauce drizzle.
• Baked Version: Skip the frying process entirely and bake the assembled pie bombs at 375°F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown, reducing overall oil content.

FAQs

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Granny Smith apples are ideal because they’re tart, firm, and hold their shape well during cooking. They provide a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity for the filling.

• Can I bake the pie bombs instead of frying?

While the recipe calls for frying and then baking, you can fully bake them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes. However, frying first gives a crispier, more golden exterior that’s hard to achieve with baking alone.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking during cooking?

Pinch the dough seams tightly and ensure there are no gaps when folding the dough corners. This creates a secure seal that keeps the apple filling inside during frying and baking.

• Is there a substitute for crescent roll dough?

You can use puff pastry or homemade pie dough as alternatives. Just make sure to roll it out thin and seal the edges completely to prevent the filling from escaping.