Let’s get real. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been scrolling through my social feeds, living the important life of a food blogger (#blessed), when out of the blue, I come across an image of a cherry hand pie. Honestly, you’d think perfection was within reach. But let me tell you, folks, my initial thoughts were more along the lines of, “Who has the time to bake actual pies?” Because apparently, I’m deep in the trenches of adulting when I’m just trying to make sure I don’t screw up my daily coffee.
And let’s talk about weather—what gives? One day it’s a sunny postcard from a trip we’ll never take, and the next, it’s cold enough to reevaluate our existence while considering turning the oven on. Enter: the air fryer—my magical little square of salvation that cuts down on the baking time and keeps the kitchen cool enough for me to pretend like I’m on some tropical island. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, treasure your air fryer. It’s time to get this cherry hand pie party started!
Now, let’s dive deep into making these temptingly flaky, sweet, and slightly tart little treasures that come together with the finesse of a seasoned pastry chef—without the nabbed wink from my inner child who once grimaced at the thought of any fruit being a filling type at all. But here we are, friends. If cherry hand pies were superheroes, they’re saving my sanity one crispy bite at a time.
Ingredients, Unfiltered
What’s Really in Easy Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
Let’s break it down ingredient by ingredient, like a culinary mic drop!
Cherry Filling: First up, cherries. Fresh, frozen, or canned—you do you. I’m partial to frozen, especially during those months when fresh fruit looks like it went through a wall of destruction. Thaw them, and voilà! A cherry adventure awaits. Look for ones that are not half rotten because nobody needs that negativity in their lives.
Sugar: Ah, sugar—the little crystals of joy! Depending on how sweet your cherries are, you might play around with the amount. Too much, and it becomes a candy explosion; too little, and we might want to toss our creations into the trash can while muttering curses. Find balance, people.
All-Purpose Flour: For your pie crust. Don’t overthink it. I’ve tried whole wheat flour before—it’s a no from me. We’re trying to create a flaky crust, not tank my chances of enjoying this little delight with a mouthful of roughage.
Butter: My favorite food group! It’s essential to keep that dough wonderfully soft and irresistible. Make sure you use cold butter. We want that luscious flakiness that only happens when butter and flour have a chilly rendezvous before the heat of the fryer gets to them.
Vanilla Extract: It’s like adding a secret handshake to your pies. Totally unnecessary? Maybe. But oh boy, does it take those hand pies to the next level. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell divine!
Salt: You might think it’s the antagonist in our sweet pie saga, but trust me, salt is crucial. It cuts through the sweetness and makes sure that cherry filling shines like the star it is.
Pie Crust: You can make your own (go, you!) or cheat with store-bought. No one is judging! I call that crafty culinary brilliance.
Let’s Talk Health (or Not)
Is This Even Healthy? Let’s Discuss
Okay, we need a reality check here. Are cherry hand pies the health food equivalent of a green juice? No. But is balance important? Absolutely! Sure, we’ve got butter and sugar joining forces in a chewy, delightful dance of decadence, but we’ve also got fruit, which gives us the illusion of health. There’s fiber or something in there, and science tells us that fruit is good for you—so we can’t go wrong, right?
Moral of the story? Go ahead and indulge. I mean, sometimes you need a cherry hand pie on a Wednesday night while binge-watching your favorite show. You deserve it! And while we’re at it, I sleep just fine at night knowing that these delightful puffs of happiness exist in my life.
Your Grocery List
Here’s What You’ll Need
– 1 cup cherries (fresh or thawed from frozen)
– ½ cup sugar (adjust depending on sweetness preference)
– 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon cold butter, diced
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– A pinch of salt
– 1 package pie crust (or homemade if you’re feeling fancy)
– 1 egg (for egg wash, optional but recommended for that golden hue)
The Actual Cooking Part
Okay, Let’s Make This
**Step 1: Get your cherry filling ready.**
If you’ve opted for the fresh cherries, pit and chop them. If you’re like me and occasionally forget essentials like a cherry pitter, you can resort to using your knife with a “don’t slice your finger off” mentality.
In a medium bowl, combine your cherries, sugar, flour, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. Give it a gentle stir. Remember that excess sugar may cause unnecessary punching in the face of the sweetness diversions. Allow the mixture to sit and macerate while you contemplate life’s choices and the mysterious progression of pineapple pizza debates.
**Step 2: Roll out your pie crust.**
Unroll your store-bought crust on a floured surface, ensuring it’s not going to stick like my dog on my favorite pair of socks. Cut out rounds from the dough using a cookie cutter or a glass—because we’re fancy like that. Oh, the irony of “make pie” easily transforming into “playing with dough.” Strong life decisions here, folks.
**Step 3: Assemble the hand pies.**
Spoon some of that delicious cherry filling onto half of each pie round, leaving room at the edges for sealing. Add a small cube of cold diced butter on top of the filling; it’s like giving your pies a VIP ticket to Flaky Town. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch or fork the edges to seal. Don’t panic if this looks messy—it’s supposed to! Remember that kitchen chaos equates to culinary adventure, as I always say.
**Step 4: Preheat the air fryer.**
About 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C) should suffice. I find that while most pick the volume of their air fryer from the pizza menu, I roll with the larger size that suits my chaotic kitchen style. If you’re cooking for a crowd (or just want to hoard all the pies for yourself), this is where your double batch will save your sanity.
**Step 5: Egg wash the pies.**
If you feel so inclined, beat your egg and brush it over the tops of the hand pies for that Instagram-worthy golden effect. It’s like playing dress-up for your food—how adorable!
**Step 6: Air fry those hand pies!**
Carefully place your pies in the air fryer basket, making sure there’s a little space in between to let them breathe (just like I do during family gatherings). Air fry for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them! Don’t let them burn to a crisp unless you’re trying to create a new path in the world of ash-covered pastries.
This is where the magic happens. Your kitchen will fill with the warm, inviting aroma of cherries and pastry. You’ll suddenly find yourself dancing like no one is watching… or maybe just like your dog is judging you.
**Step 7: Let them cool.**
Once they’re out, let your hand pies cool for a few minutes. I know the temptation is real—believe me, I’ve burned my tongue more times than I’m willing to admit. Letting them cool slightly gives the filling a chance to firm up and enhances the overall experience—unless you prefer your tastebuds in flames. Your call.
Side Notes & Sassy Hacks
Bonus Tips You Didn’t Ask For
– The filling is versatile! If you want a smoky alternative to cherries, toss in some blueberries or peaches. While you’re at it, try almond extract for a twist that’ll bring your creation to unexpected levels of fancy.
– Can you freeze the pies? Absolutely! Freeze the unbaked hand pies for future emergencies—like when it’s Monday and no one wants to cook. Defrost and fry later.
– Need to clean as you go? Use a bowl under your workspace to toss scraps. Your inner neat freak will thank you later.
– Play around with toppings! Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drench in chocolate if you really feel like going wild. (Hand pies + chocolate = happiness—trust me on that.)
Final Words of (Culinary) Wisdom
In conclusion, these Easy Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies can turn any day into a celebration of culinary genius—or at the very least a blissful evening with your favorite show and a stack of delicious treats. Next time you find yourself in need of comfort food, mix it up with these little delights.
If you make these, please tag me on social media, or at the very least send me a virtual high-five! I love hearing your stories—especially if they involve some chaotic kitchen mishaps! Remember, the kitchen is all about fun, flavor, and a sprinkle of mischief. So whip out that air fryer, muster up your cherry excitement, and dive into the glorious world of hand pies. You got this!
