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Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 4
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 161.6
  • Total Fat: 8.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 7.8 mg
  • Sodium: 5.6 mg
  • Total Carbs: 23.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.0 g
  • Protein: 2.2 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Apple Hand Pies calories by ingredient
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Apple Hand Pies

Submitted by: CHEF_MEG
Apple Hand Pies

Introduction

No forks needed! These sweet, crunchy and buttery hand pies will have you licking your fingers. No forks needed! These sweet, crunchy and buttery hand pies will have you licking your fingers.
Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

    1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    2 large Granny Smith Apples (about 1 pound)
    1 tablespoon brown sugar
    1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    1 teaspoon lemon zest
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
    4 sheets phyllo dough, thawed





Tips

Only the outside layer is brushed with browned butter to give a deep butter flavor that your taste buds crave without many added calories.

Some larger supermarkets carry whole wheat phyllo dough, but don't worry if you can't find it.
Choose hard crisp apples like Granny Smith or Rome Beauty so they don't get mushy in the pies.
Don't leave the browned butter in the saucepan--you'll have burned butter!

We did the math: A popular fast-food apple pie has 250 calories and 13 g fat, while the supermarket glazed variety has 470 calories and 20 g fat! Ours is a calorie bargain for sure!


Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking with a silicone liner or parchment paper.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, and simmer until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer the butter to a metal or glass dish to stop the cooking process, and set aside. (See tips.)

Peel and core apples then chop into small cubes. Combine the chopped apples in a medium bowl with the brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, zest and juice.

Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, pull it away from the burner and coat with nonstick spray. Return the pan to the heat, and add the apple mixture. Cook, stirring often, for five minutes, until the apples are soft and the sugar starts to bubble. Remove from heat, and add the walnuts.

Place a single sheet of phyllo dough onto a cutting board and coat with nonstick spray. Fold the sheet in half. Spoon 1/2 cup of the apples onto the bottom edge of the dough, leaving 1" space on all sides. Fold the dough over twice to form a packet and fold the edges under to secure the pie. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush with browned butter.
Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients. (You'll make four pies.) Bake 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
Serve warm or cold.


Serving Size: Makes 4 hand pies






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Member Ratings For This Recipe

  • GENDUN


    37 of 39 people found this review helpful
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    Nice recipe, thanks! As for the criticism, it's unkind: Meg doesn't describe as them 'healthy', just improved. When someone goes to the trouble of contributing, I think 'Thank You' is the first thing to say, followed by helpful comments/suggestions.

    btw, Kate is right re fruit. Thx Kate! - 10/30/12

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  • TUBLADY

    Incredible!
    19 of 19 people found this review helpful
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    Awesome, going to make these for Sat. Can skip sugar, or use Splenda. eating healthy doesn't mean you have to eliminate all sugars from your life. Everything in moderation. If you balance out your choices, you are more apt to maintain your weight,
    - 11/1/12

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  • GGMOM06


    15 of 15 people found this review helpful
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    I agree neg. comments are uncalled for . If you don't agree fine but maybe a lot of others do . It's a lot healthier than fast foods or even homemade pie with reg. crust . - 10/30/12

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  • KASEYSUNDANCER

    Incredible!
    13 of 13 people found this review helpful
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    Since when is 1/4 of a tablespoon of brown sugar too much? Or do like I do, and leave the brown sugar out completely! I like the taste of spiced apples, and don't miss the sugar at all. - 10/31/12

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  • KATEMFLEGAL


    12 of 12 people found this review helpful
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    This looks simple & delicious! Most of the sugar comes from the naturally occurring fructose in the apples, not the brown sugar. - 10/30/12

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  • ARRINGTONT13

    Incredible!
    11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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    These are so good! I've been making these now for a long time. As for the neg comments, be honest! You know you cheat sometimes! If you are gonna cheat, why not do it with a recipe that still tastes great and is a little "healthier" than others! Just saying! - 11/2/12

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  • BIGHAIRTEXAN

    Incredible!
    10 of 11 people found this review helpful
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    I TBS of brown sugar and 1 TBS butter DIVIDED between FOUR pies? I don't think that's overkill on the sugar or butter. And sometimes we NEED just a taste of the "real stuff' now and then.
    Thanks for this. I'm a great cook but not a baker and even I can do this one! - 11/2/12

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  • MOMSTER4DE3


    9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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    While I am dieting, my hubby and granddaughter are not. This is something I can fix that will make the house smell wonderful and will satisfy their sweet tooth (both of them!) I used half of the brown sugar and used just 1/2 tsp of honey instead of the remaining sugar. Wonderful dessert! - 11/1/12

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  • BIKEBALTIMORE


    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    Eating an apple is a healthier option, but I like sweets and this is real food - apples, walnuts, butter, sugar. I'd rather have a small portion of real food then a larger portion of fake food. - 11/2/12

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  • LISAR333


    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    I think these look good too. They are much less calories than my traditional apple crisp (and the apple pies at McDonalds), so I will definitely try these to use up my remaining apples. - 10/30/12

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  • GRAMPIAN


    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    Quick and easy. - 10/30/12

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  • EDOODLE1

    Incredible!
    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    Very good, and my husband thought it was from a bakery.:) so thumbs up on this dessert. - 11/2/12

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  • STITCH4EVER

    Incredible!
    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    I ALSO ADDED CRANBERRIES TO MINE AND MY HUSBAND SAID THEY WERE THE BEST PIES EVER! - 11/2/12

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  • MSLZZY

    Incredible!
    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    I delete the sugar and use ginger to get that sweet
    taste we all crave. Just a sprinkle does it. - 11/2/12

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  • CHEFBUFFY

    Very Good
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    SO much potential but 2 lg apples is too much. Next time I'll measure out 1 3/4 cups of chopped apple. Needed 2 sheets of phyllo for each pie because moisture tore it. Will add a drop or two of vanilla next time. Cooked longer so it was brown and crisp y. Def worth a 2nd try with modification - 11/12/12

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  • LKCALIFORNIA


    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Re: "negative" comments: I want to know what others like & don't like. It helps me decide if I want to make changes, or skip it all together. Please don't reprimand someone for their honest input, as long as it's not demeaning. I find all feedback helpful. - 11/2/12

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  • 1234MOM

    Good
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    My phyllo dough was falling apart so I lined a shallow bowl with a sheet and a couple over the top. Tart and light. - 11/2/12

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  • JKW1957


    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I make these all the time. It satisfies my sweet tooth. It is much healthier than eating an apple turnover. If you think it is too much sugar cut down on the amount or use substitute. If you think sugar is unhealthy just eat the apple. - 5/6/13

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  • REDGALE

    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    A nice dessert for the occassional treat. - 1/29/13

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  • VICKIE1950


    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Good news! Splenda makes brown sugar - 11/27/12

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  • PATRICIAANN46

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Wonderful..........Thank You very much. My entire family loved them. - 11/2/12

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  • FRAN533

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    my point is like that of Thumper rabbit "IF you can't say something nice don't say nothing at all. I am not perfect help chef Meg gives is great the filling is great eat without the dough wrapping that would save a few cal. I like it both ways - 11/2/12

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  • JULIACOLLINS62


    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    Yummy looking. I'm going to try this once I buy some apples :-) - 11/2/12

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  • FOXYGODZI


    1 of 55 people found this review helpful
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    Whilst I'm sure the recipe yields a very tasty apple strudel, it's a far cry from being healthy - at best, it's lower in fat than traditional recipes, but how about all that sugar?? - 10/30/12

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  • MYDONNA13


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    Great Recipe! I don't have anything negative to say about this recipe but I am tired of hearing people complain about negative comments. It's a free world & everyone has their own feelings, it's called a democracy. If you don't like the comment rate it & use the space to make a positive one! - 3/3/13

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