Easy Fried Pies
A few weeks ago (my goodness, how this month has flown by!), I brought you my Granny Lela’s Fried Peach Pies and promised you an easier way. I may get distracted, but I always try to follow through so here is that post for those of us who don’t have time or perhaps just don’t have the desire to make our fried pie dough from scratch.
Most folks who make fried pies have taken this shortcut at one time or another and although it does yield a bit different result, I can guarantee it is still just as delicious and will certainly draw no complaints from those lucky enough to sample the wares! It’ll also takes away any waning excuses you may have for not making these little hand held beauties so lets stop dilly dallying and get to it!
You’ll need: Cooking oil, lemon juice, cinnamon, bit of margarine, sugar, and some dried fruit. This is for the filling.
Lets talk dried fruit.
Peaches are pictured up top but you can use apples, apricots, peaches, or dried fruit of your preference. Most of this tutorial is going to use apples but you’re going to see a photo or two with peaches in it. Don’t fret over it, the procedure is exactly the same no matter which dried fruit you use.
To read more about the history of dried fruit in the South, visit my previous fried pie post.
~looks around to make sure the coast is clear and then leans in to whisper~
If you want, you can just substitute pie filling and bypass the next several steps. Shhhh! Let’s keep that between us.
Note: Peaches are pictured but the procedure is the same for apples.
To begin with, place your dried fruit in a pot and cover with two cups of water. Bring to a boil.
If you are using apples, you may find that your fruit needs about 1/2 cup more of water. There seem to be a lot more apples in that bag than there are peaches!
Bring that to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until they are tender and soft. This will take about twenty minutes.
To test, moosh one with a fork and see if it is able to mash up a bit, like a cooked potato. If so, you’re ready.
Apples will be a bit firmer than peaches but that’s okay.
Turn off the heat and add margarine…
Add sugar
I know that looks like an obscene amount of sugar but it is only a cup
YES, you CAN substitute Splenda!!! ~does happy dance~
Add cinnamon
If you are making apple pies, add just a bit of allspice too!
I’d add 1/4 of a teaspoon. Anytime you are baking with apples and using cinnamon, just a pinch of allspice really makes your cinnamon flavor*POP*. Allspice amplifies cinnamon to that delicious degree that you smell when you go to cinnamon roll places or restaurants specializing in Apple Pie. Take a whiff of this amazing spice and you’ll understand!
Add splash of lemon juice.
I would have added a great deal less if I wasn’t trying to capture the moment on film!
Stir all of that up really well.
Then have a little fun mooshing it.
I use a potato masher but you can use a fork if you like, or pretty much anything else that works.
Open a can of biscuits and place them on a floured surface.
Pretend you see a can of biscuits here.
I was doing this tutorial while being interviewed for the paper so it was a bit awkward, actually posing for a *real* photographer while taking photos myself and talking up a blue streak. The talking up a blue streak wasn’t awkward at all though.
Whenever I need to use a floured surface, I roll out a bit of waxed paper and flour it. Super easy cleanup. Y’all know I’m all about the easy.
Sprinkle a little flour over them and roll out to make a six inch circle with your rolling pin or a glass.
You can read why this rolling pin is so special on my post about Mama Reed’s Teacakes.
Voila!
You know my high school french teacher is beaming with pride that I remembered that word. I also remember how to count to three and say Merry Christmas ~grins~That was a well spent two years, huh?
Place a little filling on half of your circle, being sure to keep it away from the edges.
Wet your fingertips and run them around the outside edge so it will stick when you seal your pie.
Like this.
Crimp the edges with a fork.
Pour about 1/2 inch of oil into a skillet (I’m using my cast iron but you don’t have to) and heat on medium heat for five minutes or so.
This ensures that your oil is hot enough to sear and cook the pies rather than just soaking into them (prevents greasiness).
Place your pies carefully in the oil and cook for a minute or two on each side until browned. Remove to paper towel lined plate.
Gaze at your lovely creations and think about whose day you want to make a little brighter!
Start with yourself.
~winks~
Ingredients
- 6-7 ounces dried fruit (I used peaches, can use apples, apricots, or other dried fruit)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 1 T lemon juice (optional, but I use it)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional, but I use it) - if using apples, I add 1/4 tsp Allspice too
- 10 - 15 flaky layers biscuits
Instructions
- Place dried fruit in a pot and add water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer until fruit is tender. Add other ingredients and mash together with a potato masher or fork. Set aside while dough is prepared.
- Roll each biscuit out on a floured surface into a five or six inch circle. Place two tablespoons of filling in each. Wet the edges and fold over, crimping with a fork.
- Cook in oil which has been heated on medium heat, until browned on both sides, turning as needed. Remove to paper towel lined plate.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Pluginhttp://www.southernplate.com/2009/07/easy-fried-pies.html
Ingredients
- 6-7 ounces dried fruit (I used peaches, can use apples, apricots, or other dried fruit)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 1 T lemon juice (optional, but I use it)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional, but I use it) - if using apples, I add 1/4 tsp Allspice too
- 10 - 15 flaky layers biscuits
Instructions
- Place dried fruit in a pot and add water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer until fruit is tender. Add other ingredients and mash together with a potato masher or fork. Set aside while dough is prepared.
- Roll each biscuit out on a floured surface into a five or six inch circle. Place two tablespoons of filling in each. Wet the edges and fold over, crimping with a fork.
- Cook in oil which has been heated on medium heat, until browned on both sides, turning as needed. Remove to paper towel lined plate.
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Burn the candles, use the fancy dishes. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today IS special.
~Southern Plate Reader, Vickie. To submit your quotes, click here.
Thank you for taking the time to read Southern Plate. I hope you have a day every bit as wonderful as you are!
Gratefully,
Christy
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jul 30 2009. Filed under Dessert.
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Hi Christy! Saw you Live on the Today show! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
)
So thrilled you posted this! Those fried pies have been haunting my tastebuds for several years and I just couldn’t remember how to do it! While Christmas grocery shopping I bought the apples, just hoping I’d remember how to do it. So, now, NO excuse! I have biscuits, apples, spices and time………..watch out stove, here come when the grandbaby goes home. Can’t do this too well w/ a 15 month old kitchen helper – not the hot grease part, atleast. Love ya, girlfriend!
Just wanted to say that my two gd’s got your cook book for Christmas
presents and were really excited about it – hope they invite me to test
their cooking -
those fried pies look just too good – will have to try at a later date – we
are all sugared out right about now
Loved the segment! YOU’RE A STAR!!!
SAW YOU THIS MORNIN” — YOU WERE “GREAT” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christy honey, I know you’re above the Mason-Dixon line right now, but when you get a sec…how do you think Splenda or Stevia would work with these bad boys? I concur on the uneven results you get with baked goods and Splenda. I have tried the brown sugar stuff that is part Splenda and part real, fared somewhat better with that on baking bran muffins. I load them up with pumpkin pie spice and dried cherries to get my son to eat them.
You were GRRRRREAT on TODAY !!! Wait ,I hear a phone ringing.It’s The Food Network ,wanting you to be a guest with Paula or the Neey’s.
After a rough night being sick and getting up waaaaay early to call in sick at Walmart, I made myself stay up just so I didn’t miss your segment this morning! The silly Dutch guy informed me that we’re investing in one of them newfangled recorders so the next time, I don’t torture myself while ill! It was totally worth it though .. you are such a doll and what fun it was watching you! You need your own show .. *hint*
LOVE THE NEW FORMAT FOR COMMENTS! Also loved your appearance on the Today Show! The royal blue top looked great on you, too! You came through as being very relaxed and comfortable…I’ll bet all the folks at the Today Show enjoyed having you there! Was able to catch it on the internet…I’m sure you did just as great a job as you did on live TV ~snickers~ Can hardly wait for you to tell us about the behind-the-scenes part! I’d make some of your great-gradma’s pies, but I’m sure I’ll have to wait until the stores have a chance to restock their shelves with all the fixin’s! ~winks~ Safe travels home, Christy!
My Mom used to make these pies with apples and she used pie filling. I’ve found they’re also scrumptious if you have a can of “fried apples” too. Thanks for the recipe – I am always amazed that anybody else could possibly fry as many things as my Mom did. Oh my!
I missed you on the show…but I went and looked it up so I could see it…just couldn’t wait until you posted the video. Congrats….you looked fantastic and did so great!!
These fried pies sound so yummy! I can’t wait to make some peach ones. Thanks for the recipe. I was talking to my Mom and she said that my Grandmother used to make peach and she also made pineapple.
Thanks Christy! Wishing you and your family and Blessed New Year!
Thank you so much Diane! I hope you have a Blessed New Year too!!
Just made these (using fresh apples that I cooked) for dinner, along with a huge pot of veggie beef soup and baked corn bread. I must say your pictures are so much neater than what mine would have been. I had flour all over myself, my counters, my stove and my floor. Also, grease on my stove and counter. But, my family was very happy and that’s what counts, right? Right? Oh yea, right.
~giggles~ You just don’t see all my mess.
Missed it as I had to go to work before you were on but looking forward to the tape post when you get home.
Will see if I can get it up sometime in the next day or so Wilma.
Christy:
Great job on Today!! After all of the snow weather reports I was relieved to see you were there. I have grown up loving “fried pies” but my mamma and mom never fried them. Mamma would rub bacon grease on top and bake them in the oven. I put butter or margarine on top and do the same. Just passing on a hint in case there are folks who have to shy away from fried foods. Sad but true. Have a safe journey home!
Thanks Diane!
Please don’t forget to post the video of the Today Show. Really meant to watch, but something came up and I forgot. Have my very own copy of Southern Plate. Am enjoying it so much. Your cooking is very southern and just about the way my Mom cooked. And of course I still cook that way. Enjoy your blogs. Keep up the good work!!!
Oh, my Grandma always made these too – and peach pies were her favorite. (She lived in Memphis….) Thanks for the recipe and the memories.
Dear Christy,
I can’t wait to make these, and I am so thankful for you and your recipes. I’m on a very tight budget, and your recipes are affordable for me. I’ve never liked “trendy” type food, give me real food any day of the week! I missed your appearance on the show, because I was at work, but am looking forward to watching it when you post it. You are so real and genuine I am sure you came across that way on the show.
Hugs, Lora
Thank you so much Lora!! Hugs
Christy, I saw you on the TODAY show and you were great!!! I loved how you and AL seemed to get along well and then when the rest of the crew came in that party was about to get started – glad to see a Southern plate girl doing good!!!! P.S. I gave my husband so many hints at Christmas for your cookbook, he finally took them and now I am the proud owner of your wonderful cookbook.
Thank you so much Trisha!! I hope you enjoy your cookbook. Hugs
Whoo hoooo! You are a star! And, apricot fried pies were a staple at our house for a hot summer treat…. we’d eat them at room temp, having sat on the counter most of the day – take them outside with tea and they were scrumptious. *sigh*
Mmmm, what a great treat!
The recipe sounds absolutely delicious!!! but as I live in Australia what can I use as a substitute for the flaky biscuits??? Any ideas. I really want to make this.
You could make your own pie dough. I am not sure what would be compatible there so I am not much help.
Two things happened today. We returned home from our Christmas visit with family and there was a gift at our door. One item in the package was a small jar of homemade apple butter and it made me think of my mother’s fried pies as this was her staple ingredient. I have not made them in so many years that I had almost forgotten about them and lo and behold you blogged about them today so soon I will be making again those fried pies of my mothers using our ‘gift’ apple butter. Mother always made the dough from scratch of course as there was no other way in those days and the old days were the ‘best of days’, n’est ce pas?
What a wonderful gift!! I hope you have fun making your pies and an even better time enjoying them!
Hello Christy,
))
Nostalgia is consuming me. I make fried peach pies. Yum. Sometimes my family talks me into some other kind, but peach is my all time favorite.
I am near the age of your parents and I say that for you to have perspective on the story I am about to tell.
I had a pot luck dinner where I asked everyone to bring a favorite food from their childhood. I made fried peach pies and they were a huge hit. Okay, people enjoyed my other dish, fried spam, really a lot also.
Fried peach pies are a delectable treat for me. I could eat them every day.
I cannot find dried peaches in the grocery stores in Orlando, even though they have almost every other dried fruit one could want, so I purchase mine when I travel in Tennessee, always trying to have some on hand, but sometimes I run out. Then I ask myself, “Ou est my tete aujourd’hui?
~Hugs~ Eat a pie for me Janie!
Christy, I am looking forward to the vidio of the Today show,.How did you get to NYC?! You are so brave!
I do have a question about the fried pies. The origianal recipe you made the shell from scratch with milk. I always use ice water for pie crust. Will the milk cause it to hold to gether better? Or does it just give it that biscuit dough flavor/texture?
May God Bless you and get you home safely.
I make it with milk because that is how my Granny did it. I do feel like it gives it a richer texture and taste but if you prefer to make it with ice water that is ok too.
My Great-Aunt Mamie used to make Apricot Fry Pies, ‘cept her dough was made from scratch! I’m gonna try your recipe and use apricots instead. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind the modern day convenience of using whomp biscuits for the dough!
I bet she wouldn’t mind at all!
My Grandma Potts made peach fried pies alot, and my Grandma Mac made chocolate fried pies.They both passed away several years ago so I have not had fried pies in awhile.Do you have a recipe for chocolate fried pies? I never learned how to make those.
I sure do. It is one of the recipes exclusive to my cookbook so I am not allowed to publish it here on Southern Plate. If you get the cookbook make sure to look it up, it is a really old recipe and ohhh soo good!
Oh my gosh Christy, you were absolutely great on the “Today” show. Your hair was bouffanted (as we say down here) just enough to be perfect! I was so excited when I called my cousin to have her watch it that she asked if you were a personal friend of mine. I almost feel that you are family after following you for the last couple of years!! Good luck with all your future endeavors and the coming New Year!!!.
Thank you so much Tamela!! Happy New Year to you too!
Christy…. I hope you know how much we all appreciate you. You make the world a better place with your great stories, recipes, and joyfull personality.
)
I have your new cookbook and bought one for a friend, and we are both enjoying it ever so much.
May the new year bring you Blessings, good health and overflow your pockets from all the hard work you put into Southernplate.com
Happy New Year 2011
Thank you so much Linda, you have made my day!!
My Mom made fried pies, too. She dried her own apples every year and made them for her family reunion in September. They were the first thing to go. If you didn’t grab one fast, they were gone. Although, she always kept some at home for us kids. I miss you Mom. Thanks for the recipe, Christy.
You are so welcome ~HUGS~
Happy New Year Everyone!! Christy, this is certainly a childhood and adult recipe from my Mawmaw and Granny and Mom and I have made these many times myself. I really like dates and keep a fresh carton from the produce grocery section. Thinking of making date ovenbaked “fried” pies with Truvia. Sounds really good to me and I’ll make apple for my husband! Half and half! Yum! Thanks for all your recipes and hints…You’re the BEST!! And thanks to all you guys commenting because you help, too!
Eat one for me Betty.
Peach fried pies are my favorite ! and I have never ever used canned biscuits, always homemade dough ! A fried pie and a cold glass of milk sounds pretty good right now !
hi christy, these look so yummy. o and by the way lela was my grandmothers name.
I saw you on the Today show and promptly went out and purchased your book (because of the fried pies). My dad has told me many stories of how his Grandma (my great-grandmother) and mother would make these when he was a child. He loved them because he could grab one, hot off the plate, and take them outside with him and snack and keep playing
. I made my first batch on Superbowl Sunday and drove a mile just to take him a warm fried pie. He said they were “just like he remembered”. The bonus, my husband loved them and so did my girls. Just the other night my oldest daughter invited a bunch of friends over and had me make the pies again. Just imagine — me standing there in my jammies making fried pies for teenagers…… We had a great time! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe!
Made these tonight. Couldn’t find dried apples or dried peaches so I bought canned apples. It was delicious thanks!
i googled ‘fried pies’ and i had to make a choice between yours and miss paula deen. i’m going with yours. i’m fidna make these right now with fresh peaches and half sugar and apricot preserves..after i’m done..and then after my food coma nap, i’ll let ya know how they turned out
Hey dj! Be sure and check our my granny’s recipe from scratch! Lela’s fried pies.
those are the ones I made on the Today show.
Here is the link. My absolute favorite! http://www.southernplate.com/2009/07/fried-peach-pies.html
I woke up from my nap today craving some of my grandmother’s fried pies. She passed 12 years ago, and her 79th birthday would be this-coming Saturday. I got here by googling “fried apple pies with canned biscuits”. LOL I’m so happy to find this. My husband went out for the apples and biscuits so I can make us some. In this heat! Thanks so much for this.
I am so glad you found me Mari!! Welcome to Southern Plate!!
also, i can tell we’re both from the south – we both have the same cookware, dishes, and utensils.
I haven’t tried the “easy” way, but Grandma Lela’s crust is so good I probably would never switch that to biscuits. Now, what I might do is make the dough and then use apricot or peach preserves (homemade of course) for the filling. Then it would be easy!
My mom made them using your grandmother’s method, but I tend to use this one just to make it a little less time consuming. I also do sweet potato and they are fabulous! While we grew up drying apples the old fashion way, I now have a dehydrator that I love. You can do apples, peaches, cherrys, etc.
Christy, I came across your website today while searching for an easy fried pie recipe! I am loving your personality that shows in your writing! These pies have brought back so many memories of my granny’s kitchen with flour everywhere and my great aunt that used to dry her apples in the back windshield of her car! It was hilarious to see the many awkward looks she got in town! Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
[...] Version 2 [...]
Can you use fresh fruit????
You can but they’re not nearly as flavorful and old fashioned good
BUT you can
Just try em with dried fruit before you die.
i love fried pies my mom use to make chocolate fried pies but i can not figure out how she did it do you know if there is a way to make them using jello pudding? thank you
The old fashioned way is cocoa powder, butter, and sugar. I have the recipe in my cookbook. Do you have it by chance?
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