Tiny Apple Joy: Adorable Muffin Tin Mini Apple Pies Recipe

Sweet and buttery mini apple pies in a muffin tin dance with nostalgia and comfort.

Bite-sized desserts pack a punch of classic apple pie flavor in every single morsel.

Crisp apples nestled in flaky pastry create the perfect handheld treat for any occasion.

These adorable miniature pies deliver all the warmth of a traditional apple pie without the hassle of cutting and serving large slices.

Cinnamon and brown sugar mingle with tender fruit, creating a delightful aroma that fills your kitchen.

Each golden-brown pastry cup promises a delectable experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to wow your loved ones with these irresistible little pockets of pure deliciousness.

What Makes Mini Apple Pies Fun To Bake

• Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, these mini apple pies require minimal culinary expertise while delivering maximum flavor and visual appeal.
• Easily personalize with optional rosemary in the crust, different sugar sprinkles, or creative lattice top designs that make each pie uniquely yours.
• Individual muffin tin servings ensure everyone gets their own perfectly sized treat, ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or family dessert nights without messy cutting.
• Compact handheld pies that transport well, making them excellent for picnics, lunch boxes, bake sales, or spontaneous sweet cravings without compromising homemade taste.

What You’ll Need For Mini Apple Pies

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure for the delicate pastry shell.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie crust.
• Fresh Rosemary: Brings an optional aromatic herb note to the crust.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers and rich flavor in the pastry.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without overworking it.

• Apples: The star ingredient that provides a sweet and tender fruit base for the mini pies.
• White Sugar: Sweetens the apple filling and helps create a syrupy texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and a rich caramel-like sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice that complements the apples.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the apple filling and create a gooey consistency.

• Egg: Creates a golden, shiny glaze on the pie crust when used as an egg wash.
• Sanding Sugar: Offers an optional sparkling, crunchy topping for extra texture and sweetness.

Simple Steps To Bake Mini Apple Pies

Step 1: Craft the Flaky Pie Crust

Grab your food processor and toss in flour, sugar, salt, and rosemary.

Give it a quick pulse to blend.

Add cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand.

Slowly drizzle in ice water while the processor runs, stopping when the dough just starts to stick together.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic and shape into a smooth disc.

Slide it into the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.

This resting period helps the dough become more manageable and prevents shrinking during baking.

Step 3: Prepare Pie Shells

Dust your countertop with flour and roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.

Use a 4-inch cutter or drinking glass to create circular dough pieces.

Carefully press each circle into muffin tin cups, molding the dough up the sides.

Set aside extra dough scraps for decorative tops.

Step 4: Create Apple Filling

• Diced apples
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Flour

Gently toss until apples are evenly coated with the sweet, spicy mixture.

Step 5: Assemble Mini Pies

Distribute apple filling equally among muffin tin cups.

Create decorative lattice or cut-out shapes using remaining dough.

Brush pie tops with egg wash and sprinkle sanding sugar for extra shine.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Bake mini pies for 16-18 minutes until crusts turn golden and filling bubbles slightly.

Allow pies to cool in the tin before carefully removing with a knife.

Tips For Perfect Muffin Tin Apple Pies

• Refrigerate pie crust for at least 30 minutes to develop flaky texture and prevent shrinking during baking.
• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape and provide balanced sweetness when baked.
• Use leftover dough scraps to weave intricate lattice patterns or cut decorative shapes for stunning pie presentation.
• Dust apple filling with flour to absorb excess moisture and ensure crisp, golden bottom crusts every time.
• Brush pastry with beaten egg to achieve beautiful golden-brown color and professional-looking mini apple pies.

Storing And Reheating Mini Apple Pies Right

• Store cooled mini apple pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for long-term storage.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place frozen or refrigerated pies on a baking sheet and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. This method restores the crispy crust.
• Warm individual pies for 20-30 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Note that the crust might lose some crispness, but it's the fastest reheating method.

Sweet Pairings For Mini Apple Pies

• Pair Spiced Cider with Warmth: A crisp, warm apple cider spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg perfectly complements the sweet and aromatic mini apple pies, enhancing the dessert's warm flavors.
• Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Scoop: A creamy, cold vanilla bean ice cream provides a delightful temperature and texture contrast to the warm, flaky pie, balancing the rich apple filling with its smooth sweetness.
• Match Caramel Whipped Cream Topping: Dollop homemade caramel-infused whipped cream on top of these mini pies to add an extra layer of indulgent flavor that highlights the apple's natural sweetness and the pie's buttery crust.
• Create Cinnamon Whiskey Drizzle: A light drizzle of cinnamon-infused whiskey adds a sophisticated adult touch, bringing out the rosemary and spice notes in the pie while providing a warm, complex finish.

Mini Apple Pie Variations You Can Try

• Gluten-Free Mini Apple Pies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious flavor and texture.
• Vegan Apple Pie Bites: Swap butter with coconut oil and use plant-based egg wash substitute like aquafaba or maple syrup to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative that's kind to animals.
• Low-Sugar Apple Mini Pies: Substitute white and brown sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while keeping the classic apple pie taste intact.
• Spiced Autumn Variation: Add ground nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to the apple filling for a warming seasonal twist that enhances the traditional apple pie experience.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples?

Yes! Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn that hold their shape during baking and provide a nice balance of tartness and sweetness.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these mini pies?

A standard muffin tin and a 4-inch round cutter (or a glass) are the main tools you’ll need. A food processor helps with the crust, but you can also mix it by hand.

• How do I prevent the pie crust from getting soggy?

Make sure to chill the dough before rolling, don’t overfill the muffin cups, and bake at a high temperature to help create a crisp bottom crust. The flour in the apple filling also helps absorb excess moisture.

• Can I prepare the dough or filling ahead of time?

Absolutely! The pie dough can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. The apple filling can be prepared several hours before assembling the pies, just keep it covered in the refrigerator.

Muffin Tin Mini Apple Pies Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 48 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mini apple pies nestled in a muffin tin bring classic American dessert charm to bite-sized perfection. Sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and flaky pastry create a delightful handheld treat perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Muffin Tin Mini Apple Pies

Crust Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced (optional)
• 1.5 tablespoons white sugar
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks/226 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 5 to 6 tablespoons ice water

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 medium apples, peeled and diced small (around 3 cups)
• 0.25 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Egg Wash and Garnish:

• 1 large egg, whisked with 1 tablespoon water
• Sanding sugar (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pastry dough by processing flour, sugar, salt, and rosemary until combined. Add cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually incorporate ice water into the mixture until the dough forms. Shape into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow gluten to relax.
3. Dust work surface with flour and roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut 4-inch circles and carefully press into muffin tin cups, ensuring even coverage along sides. Reserve dough scraps for decorative elements.
4. Create apple filling by mixing diced apples with white and brown sugars, cinnamon, and flour until apples are evenly coated with sweet, aromatic mixture.
5. Distribute apple mixture equally among pastry-lined muffin cups. Optional: create lattice tops or decorative shapes using remaining dough. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar for enhanced golden appearance.
6. Bake at 425°F for 16-18 minutes until crusts turn golden and filling bubbles slightly. Allow pies to cool in tin before gently removing with a knife.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t shrink during baking.
• Use cold butter and ice water to create a perfect pastry texture that separates into delicate layers.
• Prevent soggy bottoms by lightly toasting flour in a pan before mixing the crust or sprinkling a thin layer of ground almonds beneath the apple filling.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg