Air Fryer Strawberry Hand Pies
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 refrigerated pre-made pie crusts
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons coarse sparkling sugar
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and cornstarch. If you like a deeper flavor, stir in the vanilla extract. The cornstarch is important because it thickens the juices as they cook, preventing a watery filling.
- Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a large glass to cut out circles. You should be able to get about 8 to 10 circles by re-rolling the dough scraps as needed.
- Place about one tablespoon of the strawberry mixture into the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill them, or the filling will leak out during the cooking process.
- Fold each circle in half to create a half-moon shape. Use a fork to press down firmly along the curved edges. This creates a beautiful decorative edge and ensures the pie is sealed tight.
- Lightly brush the top of each hand pie with the beaten egg wash. This is the secret to getting that professional golden-brown shine. Sprinkle the coarse sugar over the top for a sweet crunch.
- Place the hand pies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.