There’s something irresistible about the golden, flaky crust and sweet, gooey filling of McDonald’s Apple Pie—but this homemade version takes it to the next level.
With just 30 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of baking, you’ll create a treat that’s crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with warm cinnamon-spiced apples. The aroma alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen, eager for a bite.
This recipe delivers the perfect balance of textures and flavors, from the buttery, golden pastry to the luscious, caramelized apple filling. It’s a nostalgic yet elevated dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re serving it fresh from the oven or saving a slice for later, this homemade apple pie will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients for McDonald’s Apple Pie: Better Homemade!
- ¼ cup (2oz/57g) butter
- 4 apples, peeled, cored, and diced small (use a sharp, crisp dessert apple for best results)
- ⅔ cup (4oz/115g) brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 teaspoons cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 x recipe Easy Puff Pastry (or store-bought puff pastry)
- Egg wash (or milk for brushing)
- Cinnamon sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a shallow saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice. Cook gently until most of the liquid reduces and the apples soften, about 10-12 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornflour and water to create a slurry. Add this to the cooked apples, stirring constantly. Cook for 2 minutes to thicken the filling, then remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. (You can refrigerate the filling for up to 5 days or freeze it for later use.)
- On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to roughly ⅛ inch thick. Cut into eight 4.5×6 inch (12x15cm) rectangles and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. (Re-roll scraps to make more pies if needed.)
- For each pastry rectangle, scoop 1-2 heaped teaspoons of apple filling and place it in the center. Brush the edges with egg wash or milk, fold over, and press to seal with the tines of a fork.
- Cut three small slits in the top of each pastry for venting. Brush with egg wash or milk and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Serve warm with cream or ice cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes to re-crisp before serving.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These homemade apple pies are delicious on their own, but they truly shine with a little extra indulgence. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combo, or drizzle with caramel sauce for a decadent twist.
For a lighter option, pair with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re also great with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat!
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store any leftover pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To re-crisp, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes. If you’ve made extra apple filling, it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage—just thaw before using. This makes it easy to whip up a fresh batch whenever the craving strikes!
Time-Saving Tricks
To streamline the process, prep the apple filling a day ahead and let it cool in the fridge overnight. Using store-bought puff pastry is a great shortcut if you’re short on time. You can also cut and assemble the pies in advance, then freeze them unbaked. When ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time—no thawing needed!
Recipe Variations to Try
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Swap the apples for pears or peaches for a different fruity twist. Add a handful of raisins or chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture. For a savory-sweet version, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top before baking. You can also experiment with different spices like nutmeg or cardamom to customize the flavor to your liking.
McDonald’s Apple Pie: Better Homemade!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter (2oz/57g)
- 4 apples peeled, cored and diced small
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (4oz/115g)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- juice of 1 lemon
- 3 teaspoons cornflour
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 x recipe Easy Puff Pastry (or store bought puff pastry)
- egg wash
- cinnamon sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment.
- In a shallow saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice, and cook gently until most of the liquid reduces and the apples have softened.
- In a small bowl mix the cornflour and water to make a ‘slurry’. Add this to the cooked apples stirring as you go. Allow to cook for 2 minutes to thicken the filling before removing it from the heat.
- Set the apple filling aside to cool down completely. Once cool you can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen.
- Once the filling is cool, roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to roughly ⅛ inch thick. Cut into eight 4.5×6 inch (12x15cm) rectangles and transfer to your prepared baking sheets. You can re-roll this pastry and make even more pies.
- For each pastry rectangle, scoop out 1-2 heaped teaspoons of apple filling and lay in the center of the pastry. Brush the edges with a touch of egg wash or milk, fold over, press and seal with the tines of a fork.
- Cut three slits in the top of each pastry for venting, brush with the egg wash or milk, and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake until pastry is puffed and golden, about 25-30 minutes. Enjoy warm with cream or ice cream! Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days. Rewarm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes to re-crisp before eating.
- * A sharp, crisp, dessert apple will be best for this dessert. Adjust the sugar to taste.
