Popeyes is a popular fast food chain known for its fried chicken and signature sides like mashed potatoes, biscuits and red beans and rice. One of Popeyes’ most popular dessert offerings is their fried apple pie. Popeyes apple pie provides a sweet ending to any meal with its crispy, fried exterior and apple filling. But what exactly goes into making this treat? In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the ingredients that make up Popeyes apple pies.
Main Ingredients in Popeyes Apple Pies
The main components of a Popeyes apple pie are:
- Apples – The filling consists of sweet, soft apple chunks.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar adds sweetness.
- Cinnamon – This spice gives the filling a signature warmth and aroma.
- Cornstarch – Helps thicken the apple filling.
- Shortening – Typically soybean oil. Used to fry the pies.
- Wheat flour – Primary ingredient in the fried pie dough.
- Water – Hydrates the dough.
- Salt – For flavor.
Let’s explore each of these ingredients in more detail.
Apples
The apple filling is the star of Popeyes apple pies. According to Popeyes, they use a blend of apples including Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious. This mix provides the ideal balance of sweetness and tartness. The apples are peeled, cored, and cut into small chunks before being cooked down into the sweet, soft filling.
Sugar
A Popeyes nutrition facts label shows that their apple pie filling contains sugar, which adds sweetness and helps balance the tartness of the apples. The sugar used is likely granulated white cane sugar. About 1-2 tablespoons of sugar is probably added to each pie’s worth of filling.
Cinnamon
Popeyes apple filling has a warming cinnamon flavor. This popular pie spice contributes aroma and a distinctive taste. The quantity of cinnamon per pie is probably around 1/2 teaspoon.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a thickening agent derived from corn. Popeyes likely dusts the apple chunks with a light coating of cornstarch before cooking them down. This helps give the filling a thicker, gummier texture that holds its shape inside the fried pie shell. Each pie may contain around 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch.
Shortening
To achieve its signature crispy texture, Popeyes fries its apple pies in vegetable oil shortening. Soybean oil is a very common frying oil used in commercial kitchens. The high heat tolerance and neutral flavor make it well-suited for frying.
Wheat Flour
Traditional fried pies are encased in a simple dough shell. Popeyes apple pie dough is likely made from all-purpose wheat flour, the most common baking flour. Flour gives the dough structure. Each pie probably requires around 1/3 cup of flour.
Water
A couple tablespoons of water are likely mixed into the dough to properly hydrate it. The water causes the wheat flour proteins to bind together and form the dough.
Salt
A small pinch of salt brings out the flavors in the dough and enhances overall taste. Roughly 1/4 teaspoon of salt probably goes into each pie’s dough.
Full Ingredient List
Though Popeyes does not publish an official ingredient statement for their apple pies, we can extrapolate from the available information. The full list of ingredients is likely:
- Apples – mix of Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious
- Enriched wheat flour – wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid
- Vegetable oil shortening – likely soybean oil
- Water
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Cornstarch
- Salt
As you can see, Popeyes keeps it simple when it comes to apple pie ingredients. There are no complex additives or preservatives. Just wholesome basic ingredients like apples, flour, cinnamon, and a bit of sugar.
Nutrition Information
Though tasty, Popeyes apple pies are high in calories and fat due to being fried. Here is the nutrition information according to Popeyes:
Serving size: 1 apple pie (4.2 oz/119g)
Calories: 340
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Sugar: 19g
Protein: 2g
The main macros in Popeyes apple pies come from the fried dough shell and added sugar. Over half the calories come from fat. There are 43g net carbs per pie, largely from the enriched wheat flour. And 19g of sugar per serving accounts for part of the carbs.
To reduce calories, fat, and carbs, you can request an apple pie without the fried shell. But the signature crispy exterior is hard to resist for many Popeyes fans. Moderation is key when enjoying these sweet treats.
How Popeyes Apple Pies Are Made
Now let’s take a look at how these apple pies go from raw ingredients to deep fried dessert.
1. Make the Filling
Popeyes makes large batches of apple filling at a time. Apples are washed, peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces. The chunks are tossed in cornstarch to coat. Then sugar and cinnamon are added for flavor. The filling is cooked on the stove top until softened.
2. Make the Dough
The fried dough is also made in big batches. Wheat flour, salt, shortening, and water are combined to form a simple dough. The dough is rolled flat and cut into rounds.
3. Fill the pies
A scoop of warm apple filling is placed into the center of a dough round. The dough is folded over the filling and crimped shut into a half moon shape.
4. Deep fry
The uncooked apple pies go into the deep fryer. They’re held down with a wire rack to keep them fully submerged. The pies fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
5. Finish and serve
The fried pies are removed from the oil and allowed to drain and cool slightly. A dusting of cinnamon sugar is added on top for an extra touch of sweetness. Then they’re ready to be packaged up and served fresh and warm!
Preparation at Home
It’s easy to recreate the satisfying taste of Popeyes apple pies at home with a few simple steps:
Ingredients:
- Pie dough – store bought or homemade
- 4-5 apples, peeled and diced
- 1-2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1-2 tbsp water
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Cinnamon sugar
Steps:
- Simmer the diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and water until soft.
- Scoop apple filling onto rolled out pie dough and fold over to seal.
- Fry the pies 2-3 minutes per side in 350°F oil.
- Remove pies from oil and drain on paper towels.
- Season with cinnamon sugar while still warm.
Be sure to use caution when deep frying at home. And resist the urge to fry too many batches to keep the oil clean. Enjoy your homemade apple pies while they’re still warm!
Buying Popeyes Apple Pies
Craving that signature Popeyes apple pie taste but don’t want to fire up the fryer at home? You can easily purchase them fresh at any Popeyes location. Here are some tips:
- Check store hours – Breakfast hours are the best time to get freshly made pies before they sell out.
- Call ahead – Ask if they currently have apple pies available to avoid disappointment.
- Download app – The Popeyes app makes ordering ahead easy so your pies will be hot and ready for pickup.
- Ask for extras – Request additional cinnamon sugar packets to add more sweetness!
Apple pies are a seasonal item at Popeyes. They tend to be available in the fall and winter months while apples are in peak season. Be sure to get them while you can!
The Perfect Pairings
A Popeyes apple pie goes great with other menu items for the ultimate meal combo:
- Fried chicken – The hot, juicy chicken plays off the cool, sweet pie wonderfully.
- Mashed potatoes – Creamy potatoes complement the flaky pie crust.
- Biscuit – Tear off a piece and use it to scoop up piping hot apple filling.
- Soft drink – Wash it all down with a refreshing chilled soda.
You really can’t go wrong pairing a Popeyes apple pie with anything on their menu. It’s the perfect sweet finish to any Popeyes feast.
Copycat Recipe Ideas
Can’t make it to Popeyes but need your apple pie fix? Try one of these copycat recipes:
Easy Fried Apple Pies
Ingredients:
– 2 rolls store-bought pie crust
– 4-5 apples, diced
– 1⁄4 cup sugar
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– Vegetable oil for frying
Steps:
1. Simmer apples with sugar and cinnamon until soft.
2. Scoop filling onto pie crust. Wet edges with water and fold over. Seal edges with a fork.
3. Deep fry 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
Baked Apple Pies
Ingredients:
– 2 rolls store-bought pie crust
– 4-5 apples, diced
– 1⁄4 cup sugar
– 2 tsp flour
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 2 tbsp butter, cubed
Steps:
1. Toss apples with flour, sugar and cinnamon.
2. Fill pie crust and top with butter cubes.
3. Bake at 400°F for 30-40 minutes until crust is browned.
Easy Apple Turnovers
Ingredients:
– 1 pkg store-bought puff pastry dough
– 2 apples, diced
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
Steps:
1. Simmer apples with brown sugar and cinnamon for 5 minutes.
2. Cut pastry into squares and fill with apple mixture. Fold over to make triangles.
3. Bake at 400°F 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden.
Nutrition Improving Tips
Fried apple pies are hard to resist but also high in calories and fat. Here are some tips for lightening them up:
- Ask for no frying – Request them baked instead to significantly reduce fat and calories.
- Split with a friend – Halve the pie to cut calories and fat grams in half.
- Sample the filling – Just eat the apple filling and leave the fried crust behind.
- Smaller portions – Opt for the smaller Jr. size pie for a 120 calorie treat.
- Healthy sides – Pair with lower calorie side dishes like green beans or corn on the cob.
Enjoying apple pie in moderation along with more nutritious menu options allows you to satisfy your craving while still being balanced.
The History of Popeyes Apple Pies
Apple pies have been on the Popeyes menu since the very beginning. Here are some key moments in Popeyes apple pie history:
- 1972 – Popeyes is founded in New Orleans and opens its first location. Apple pies are on the inaugural menu.
- 1976 – Popeyes begins expanding nationwide, bringing their signature spicy fried chicken and apple pies to new markets.
- 2007 – Popeyes is bought by AFC Enterprises. Under new ownership, franchises continue to grow across America and overseas.
- 2022 – Popeyes celebrates its 50th anniversary. Apple pies remain a treasured menu item after five decades.
For 50 years and counting, Popeyes apple pies have been satisfying customers with their crispy outside and sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling. They’re a classic menu item that generations have enjoyed.
Fun Facts About Popeyes Apple Pies
Let’s finish up with some fun trivia about this fabulous fried treat:
– The original apple pie logo showed a whole apple inside the pie, not apple filling.
– Early apple pies were made with shortening containing beef tallow before the switch to vegetable oil.
– The pies come out of the fryer at around 200°F but are served at around 80°F.
– Employees have to regularly filter the fryer oil to remove pie dough crumbs.
– Celeb chef Paula Deen created a Fried Apple Pie Shake combining apple pie pieces, vanilla ice cream and milk.
– Over 375 millions pies were sold by 2007, stacking up to over twice the height of Mount Everest.
– National Fried Pie Day is celebrated on February 9th each year.
So next time you bite into the crispy crust and sweet apple filling of a Popeyes apple pie, appreciate all the history and effort that goes into creating this iconic fast food treat!
Conclusion
Popeyes apple pies have been a staple menu item for 50 years thanks to their irresistible golden fried dough and cinnamon-scented apple filling. We took a deep dive into everything that goes into crafting this signature dessert, from the type of apples to the frying technique. While not the healthiest choice, apple pies remain a beloved, timeless indulgence for Popeyes fans. Satisfy your sweet tooth the classic Popeyes way and enjoy this fried pie tradition.