Easy & Crispy Fried Apple Pie Wontons with Walnut Caramel Sauce: Your Quick Fall Dessert Fix!
There are moments in life when a craving for a warm, comforting slice of apple pie strikes, and it strikes hard. Often, these moments coincide with the arrival of autumn, when the air turns crisp, leaves begin to change, and that familiar, cozy nostalgia washes over us. Or perhaps, it’s just one of those days where you need a sweet, warm, and utterly delicious treat to lift your spirits and melt away the stress.
Whatever the reason, a good old-fashioned apple pie, especially with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, truly seems to cure all ills. However, in our fast-paced lives, carving out the time to bake a full, from-scratch apple pie can feel like an impossible task. If only our daily schedules allowed for leisurely baking! But for most of us, that’s simply not the reality. That’s precisely why I set out to create a way to get my apple pie fix as quickly and conveniently as possible – because, let’s be honest, patience isn’t always a virtue when it comes to dessert cravings! These incredible fried apple pie wontons are the ultimate solution: the easiest, fastest, and most delightfully crispy version of apple pie you could ever imagine, ready in a fraction of the time!
Why These Fried Apple Pie Wontons Are Your New Favorite Dessert
Imagine a golden-brown, irresistibly crisp shell that gives way to a warm, luscious explosion of sweet apples, fragrant cinnamon, and aromatic spices. That’s precisely the experience these little fried apple pie wontons deliver – a bite of pure apple pie perfection, but in a convenient, handheld form. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its incredible flavor and texture but also in its sheer simplicity and speed. The apple filling comes together in mere minutes on the stovetop, simmering into a soft, spiced fruit mixture. And here’s a fantastic bonus: the leftover juices and sugar in the pan, after the apples are removed, magically reduce down to create your very own rich, delectable caramel sauce. How utterly brilliant is that? Comfort food ready in a flash – that’s a life motto I can certainly get behind!
These wontons are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering, looking for a unique potluck contribution, or simply treating yourself and your family to a homemade dessert, these crispy apple pie bites will undoubtedly impress. Their individual size makes them easy to serve and enjoy, and the delightful contrast between the crunchy wrapper and the warm, soft filling is truly addictive. Forget the long baking times and complicated crusts; these fried apple pie wontons offer all the beloved flavors of classic apple pie without any of the fuss.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Apple Pie Wontons
Creating these delightful apple pie wontons requires just a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. Let’s break down the stars of the show:
Granny Smith Apples: The Ideal Choice
For the apple filling, Granny Smith apples are highly recommended. Their tartness provides a wonderful balance to the sweetness of the brown sugar and caramel sauce. They also hold their shape well during cooking, ensuring a pleasant texture in every bite. If you prefer a slightly sweeter filling, you could experiment with a mix of Granny Smith and a sweeter apple variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji, but stick to Granny Smiths for that classic apple pie tang.
Wonton Wrappers: Your Shortcut to Crispy Perfection
The humble wonton wrapper is the true hero of this speedy dessert. These thin, versatile dough squares eliminate the need for making pastry from scratch, saving you significant time and effort. They fry up beautifully, achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior that perfectly encases the warm apple filling. Look for them in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, usually near the tofu or fresh pasta.
Aromatic Spices: The Heart of Apple Pie Flavor
Cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg are the quintessential apple pie spices that bring warmth and depth to the filling. These spices evoke all the cozy feelings of fall and elevate the simple apple mixture into something truly special. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your personal preference; if you love a strong cinnamon flavor, don’t hesitate to add a little extra!
Building the Best Apple Filling and Walnut Caramel Sauce
The process begins with melting butter in a skillet, creating a rich base for your apples. Adding the peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, and spices, you’ll cook them down until they reach that perfect tender-crisp stage, typically around 10-13 minutes. It’s crucial not to overcook them, as you want them to retain a slight bite. Once the apples are tender, scoop them out into a bowl, leaving all those delicious, sugary juices behind in the pan. This is where the magic happens for your caramel sauce!
By continuing to gently reduce those leftover pan juices over low-medium heat, they’ll thicken beautifully into a luscious, sticky caramel. Stir in the chopped walnuts for an added layer of texture and nutty flavor, creating an absolutely divine walnut caramel sauce. This two-in-one approach—making both the filling and the sauce in the same pan—not only saves on cleanup but also infuses the caramel with even more apple goodness.
Assembling Your Fried Apple Pie Wontons: Tips for Success
Assembling these fried apple pie wontons is surprisingly simple and quite enjoyable. Lay out your wonton wrappers on a clean work surface, orienting them like diamonds. Place a generous teaspoon of the cooked apple mixture right in the center of each wrapper. Don’t be tempted to overfill, as this can make sealing difficult and lead to leakage during frying. Using your finger, moisten the edges of the wrapper with a little water. This acts as a glue, helping the wrapper seal properly. Fold the wrapper in half, bringing the corner closest to you up to meet the opposite corner, forming a perfect triangle. Press firmly along all the edges to ensure a tight seal. You can even use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges for an extra decorative touch and secure seal.
Once all your wontons are assembled, it’s time for the final, most satisfying step: frying them to golden-brown perfection.
Frying for the Ultimate Golden Crisp
To achieve that irresistible crispy exterior, you’ll need a large, heavy-bottomed skillet and about 3/4 inch of canola oil (or another neutral-flavored oil suitable for frying). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. A good test is to drop a tiny piece of wonton wrapper into the oil; if it sizzles and quickly floats to the top, the oil is ready. Work in small batches, typically 4-5 wontons at a time, to avoid overcrowding the pan and lowering the oil temperature. Fry each batch for about 2 minutes, flipping halfway through, until both sides are beautifully golden brown and delightfully crispy. Remove the fried wontons with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. This ensures they remain perfectly crisp.
The moment they emerge from the oil, these fried apple pie wontons are at their absolute best: piping hot, wonderfully crispy, and bursting with warm, spiced apple goodness. They are truly a revelation, offering a delicious and incredibly convenient way to satisfy that timeless apple pie craving.
Fried Apple Pie Wontons
ingredients
- 4 Granny Smith apples peeled and cut into 1/2″ pieces
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 20 wonton wrappers
- Water to seal wontons
- Canola oil for frying
instructions
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In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, and spices and cook down until the apples are soft, approximately 10-13 minutes minutes. Remove the apples from the skillet into a bowl, leaving the sauce behind in the pan.
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Continue to reduce the sauce over low-medium heat, until it thickens into a caramel sauce. Stir in the chopped walnuts, remove from heat, and set aside.
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On a clean work surface or cutting board, place one wonton wrapper so that a corner is facing you (it should look like a diamond). Add a large teaspoon of the apple mixture to the center of the wonton wrapper. Using your finger, rub the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold the wrapper in half, away from you, to create a triangle, pressing on the edges firmly to seal. Continue this process with the remaining wrappers.
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Add canola oil to a large heavy-bottomed skillet, approximately 3/4″ high. Heat the canola oil in a over medium-high heat. Working in small batches of 4, fry the wontons until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove to a paper-lined plate to drain.
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Serve immediately with walnut caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
While these fried apple pie wontons are utterly delicious on their own, serving them immediately with a generous drizzle of the homemade walnut caramel sauce and a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream takes them to an entirely new level. The warm, crispy wonton, the gooey apple filling, the nutty caramel, and the melting ice cream create a symphony of textures and flavors that is truly unforgettable.
But don’t stop there! Consider these additional serving suggestions and variations to make them even more special:
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and extra sweetness.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of fresh whipped cream is always a welcome addition.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: For extra crunch and flavor, toss the hot wontons in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar immediately after frying.
- Other Sauces: While the walnut caramel sauce is phenomenal, you could also serve them with a chocolate drizzle, a raspberry coulis, or even just a simple honey glaze.
- Spice Variations: Experiment with adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the apple filling for a slightly different aromatic profile.
- Nut Alternatives: If walnuts aren’t your preference, try pecans or even almonds in the caramel sauce for a different nutty flavor.
- Baked Option: For a lighter alternative, you can bake these wontons! Brush them lightly with melted butter or oil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden and crisp. While they won’t have the same deep-fried crunch, they’ll still be delicious.
Tips for Success with Your Apple Pie Wontons
- Don’t Overfill: A heaping teaspoon of filling is usually enough. Too much will make sealing difficult and can cause the wontons to burst during frying.
- Seal Properly: Use water liberally on the edges and press firmly to ensure a tight seal. A fork crimp adds extra security.
- Mind the Oil Temperature: Oil that’s too hot will burn the wrappers before the filling warms through. Oil that’s not hot enough will result in greasy wontons. Aim for medium-high heat and test with a small piece of wrapper.
- Fry in Batches: Overcrowding the skillet lowers the oil temperature and can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
- Drain Well: Always place fried wontons on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Serve Immediately: These wontons are best enjoyed fresh off the skillet when they’re at their crispiest.
These fried apple pie wontons are truly a revelation. They capture the beloved essence of apple pie – the warm, spiced apple filling, the satisfying sweetness – but present it in an utterly convenient and incredibly delicious format. Whether you’re short on time, looking for a creative dessert, or simply craving that classic fall flavor, this recipe is a must-try. Get ready to experience pure comfort and joy in every single, crispy bite. Happy baking (and frying)!