Crispy Mini Dutch Apple Pies Recipe

Petite Apple Delight: The Cutest Mini Dutch Apple Pies Recipe

Baking delectable mini dutch apple pies with a perfectly crispy texture brings pure comfort to any dessert table.

These adorable handheld treats pack an incredible punch of warm spices and sweet apple goodness.

Each mini pie delivers a delightful balance of flaky crust and tender cinnamon-kissed fruit filling.

Home bakers love how simple these mini dutch apple pies are to prepare with basic pantry ingredients.

The golden-brown edges and caramelized apple centers make these little pies absolutely irresistible.

Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they become an instant crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this crowd-winning dessert that celebrates classic apple pie in the most charming miniature form.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Mini Dutch Apple Pies

For Pie Crust:
  • Pie Crust: Provides the delicate base for these adorable mini desserts, with a buttery and flaky texture that cradles the sweet apple filling perfectly.
For Apple Filling:
  • Apples, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Lemon Juice, Cornstarch: Select crisp, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, ensuring the filling remains thick and glossy while delivering a robust apple flavor.
For Streusel Topping:
  • Flour, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Melted Butter: Creates a crunchy, golden-brown crown that adds delightful texture and warmth, transforming these mini pies into an irresistible treat with a rustic, homemade charm.

Tools for Baking Mini Dutch Apple Pies

  • Muffin Tin: Essential for creating mini pie shapes and baking individual servings.
  • Round Cutter (3-inch): Perfect for cutting precise pie crust circles; alternatively, a glass works well.
  • Mixing Bowls (2): One for apple filling, another for streusel topping.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for dicing apples and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Used for slicing apples into small, even pieces.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Pastry Brush (optional): Helpful for greasing the muffin tin.

Instructions for Mini Dutch Apple Pies

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375F and give your muffin tin a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.

  • Create Pie Crusts

Sprinkle some flour on your workspace and roll out the pie dough. Use a circular cutter or drinking glass to craft perfect little pie shells, gently pressing them into each muffin cup.

  • Craft Apple Magic

Toss diced apples with sweet sugars, warming cinnamon, zesty lemon juice, and a touch of cornstarch. Let the mixture mingle and get juicy for a few minutes.

  • Whip Up Crumbly Topping

Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until you’ve got a delightful, crumbly texture that’ll add a crunchy surprise to your mini pies.

  • Build Your Delicious Treats

Spoon the apple mixture into each tender crust and crown them with your irresistible streusel topping.

  • Bake to Perfection

Pop the muffin tin into the oven and bake until the edges turn golden and the filling starts to bubble with excitement, about 18-22 minutes.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let these little darlings rest for 10 minutes, then carefully remove them from the tin. Serve warm with a scoop of creamy ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

Sweet Baking Tips for Dutch Apple Pies

  • Perfect Pie Crust Trick: Use cold butter and minimal handling to create a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the mini pies up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for fresh-from-the-oven deliciousness.
  • Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in both the crust and streusel topping for a celiac-friendly treat.
  • Flavor Fusion Options: Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, or mix multiple types for a complex apple flavor profile.
  • Vegan Variation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use vegan pie crust, and swap regular sugar with coconut sugar to create a plant-based version of these adorable mini pies.

Serve Mini Dutch Apple Pies with Flair

  • Sweet Vanilla Companion: Top each mini pie with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, letting the warm dessert melt the cold treat for a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Caramel Drizzle Delight: Enhance the pies by gently pouring rich caramel sauce over the top, creating a glossy and indulgent finish that complements the apple's sweetness.
  • Whipped Cream Elegance: Crown these mini pies with a delicate swirl of freshly whipped cream, adding a light and airy texture that balances the dense, spiced apple filling.
  • Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or almonds over the streusel, introducing a satisfying crunch and nutty depth to the already delicious dessert.

Make-Ahead Tips for Dutch Apple Pies

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store mini Dutch apple pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep them separated with parchment paper to prevent streusel from sticking together.
  • Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen mini pies will maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed pies in a preheated oven at 325F for 8-10 minutes. This restores the crispy streusel and brings back the delightful freshly-baked texture without drying out the crust.
  • Make-Ahead Wonder: Prepare pie crusts and streusel topping a day ahead. Store crust circles in the refrigerator and keep streusel in a sealed container at room temperature. Assemble and bake just before serving for maximum freshness.
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Crispy Mini Dutch Apple Pies Recipe

Crispy Mini Dutch Apple Pies Recipe


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4.5 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Delightful mini dutch apple pies showcase classic Netherlands dessert flavors in bite-sized pastry cups. Crisp cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in buttery crust promise sweet comfort for dessert enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 apples (medium, peeled, cored, and diced)
  • 1 pie crust (premade or homemade)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsps granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 tbsp flour (for dusting)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease the muffin tin to prevent adherence of the mini pies.
  2. Crust Formation: Roll out the pie crust on a flour-dusted surface, using a 3-inch round cutter to create precise circular bases. Gently press each crust into the muffin cavities, ensuring a snug fit.
  3. Apple Filling Creation: Combine diced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Allow the mixture to rest, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify while releasing natural juices.
  4. Streusel Topping Preparation: Blend flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then incorporate melted butter to craft a crumbly, textured topping that will provide a delightful crunch.
  5. Assembly and Baking: Evenly distribute the apple mixture among the prepared crusts, then generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each mini pie. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the filling becomes bubbly.
  6. Cooling and Serving: Allow the mini pies to rest for 10 minutes, enabling them to set and easily release from the tin. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

Notes

  • Precision Matters: Use a 3-inch round cutter or glass rim to ensure uniform mini pie shells, creating consistent and professional-looking desserts.
  • Apple Selection Technique: Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain structural integrity and prevent mushy filling during baking.
  • Moisture Management: Sprinkle diced apples with cornstarch to absorb excess liquid, preventing soggy crusts and ensuring a perfectly crisp streusel topping.
  • Temperature Control: Allow mini pies to cool for exactly 10 minutes in the tin before removing, helping them set and preventing potential crumbling or structural collapse.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Dutch

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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