Rice Paper Apple Pie

The only thing crisper than a fall apple are these shatteringly crisp rice paper apple hand pies. Apple pie is one of our all-time favorite desserts, so we knew we needed to give it the crispy rice paper wrapper treatment, which has worked flawlessly for spanakopitaburekpop tarts and baklava. We're not saying this rice paper apple pie is better than traditional apple pie, but it has a lot going for it. It’s gluten-free lower in calorie bakes quickly and made with more affordable ingredients.

What stands out

The days are getting shorter and cooler, which means it’s apple pie season! As much as we love a traditional apple pie made with a flaky crust, we love this version even more. It’s a lower calorie dessert that comes together quick and straightforward. We use gluten-free rice paper wrappers instead of pie dough and pop our personal-size hand pie in the air fryer to cook up in less than 10 minutes. A handful of crushed walnuts add crunch and ground cinnamon makes the whole kitchen smell like fall.

Before you start

• Rice paper apple hand pies offer a gluten-free twist on traditional apple pie, featuring a crispy wrapper and lower-calorie ingredients.
• Key ingredients in this apple pie recipe include Honeycrisp apples, cinnamon, coconut sugar, and walnuts, all wrapped in pliable rice paper.
• A quick 5-second dip in water is all you need to soften the rice paper without over-soaking it.
• You can easily substitute with other fruits, use different wrappers, or modify for dairy-free options.

Water: A bit of water helps the apples cook down into a pie filling.

Apples: Any kind of apple will work here, but we love Honeycrisp. Tart and firm apples, like Granny Smith and Pink Lady, are great choices. Leave the skin on for added texture and fiber.

Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is a favorite spice to use in cooler months. It brings warmth and sweetness to everything it touches.

Coconut Sugar: We love coconut sugar for its lower glycemic index. It’s exactly what it sounds like: sugar made from coconuts.

Walnuts: Earthy, buttery walnuts add crunch and richness to the apple mixture.

Rice Paper: The star of the dish—these thin rice rounds are cheaper and arguably easier to handle than butter-based pie dough. Plus they’re gluten-free. (Yes, they’re the same ingredient commonly used for preparing egg rolls and fresh spring rolls.)

Butter: A thin coating of melted butter (or a whisked egg if you’re dairy-free) helps create a crispy golden crust. Use a pastry brush to add melted butter or egg wash to your hand pies.

Kitchen tip

Soften your rice paper just enough to make it pliable—a quick 5-second dip in room temperature water is. Don’t over-soak it, or it can become too soft and sticky making it difficult to work with.

Swaps

1. To make this recipe dairy-free use your favorite dairy-free butter or use a whisked egg or olive oil instead.
2. Swap in other firm fruit in place of the apples, such as pears or apricots.
3. No rice paper? No problem! Feel free to make these with any type of wrapper such as phyllo dough, lumpia wrappers, or empanada dough. However, keep in mind some variations won’t be gluten-free and nutrition will vary.
4. Dust with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet finish.
5. Instead of walnuts, you can also try peanuts, cashews, or any nut you like.
6. If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can swap in brown sugar or date sugar.

Serve it with

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream is practically required for apple pie!
• After these come out of the oven, consider a drizzle of warm honey, melted chocolate, or caramel sauce.
• Enjoy with our Iced Coffee with Vanilla or Affogato.
• Keep it simple, with a cup of tea or coffee.

Questions

strong we don’t have an air fryer. Can we bake This instead?

Of course! On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, bake the hand pies at 400°F (200°C) for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway if needed, until crispy and golden.

What are rice paper wrappers?

These thin wrappers are generally made from tapioca and rice flour, making them gluten-free. Once wet, the wrappers take on a soft, pliable, sticky texture. When working with them, avoid over-soaking—they’ll tear and will be difficult to handle. Work fast so the wrappers don’t get too sticky. Avoid over-stuffing the wrappers which will cause them to break.

strong Is rice paper gluten-free?

Yes! Traditional rice paper is made from just rice and water, which makes it gluten-free. Always double-check the ingredient list on the package.

strong How do we keep rice paper from tearing?

Handle the softened rice paper as if it’s a delicate piece of paper. If it does rip (it happens to the best of us), just layer on another softened sheet to patch it up.

strong Can we make This Rice Paper Apple Pie strong ahead of time?

While we didn’t try prepping this ahead of time (too busy enjoying it immediately), we think it would work well to prepare the pie the night before baking. Let us know if you have success with it!

where can i buy rice paper wrappers?

You can find rice paper wrappers at most Asian grocery markets and in the global aisle of major grocery stores. You can also buy them mark online.

Ingredients

Makes 1 pie

• ⅓ cup water (for cooking the apples), plus more for softening the rice paper
• 1 large apple (about 2 cups diced), I used Honey-crisp, diced with skin on
• ground cinnamon, to taste
• 2 teaspoons coconut sugar, plus more for topping
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
• 3 sheets rice paper
• melted butter, to brush on top

Equipment

• Cutting Board
• Chefs Knife
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Pot
• Air Fryer
• Pastry Brush

Method

1. Add the 1/3 cup water, apples, and cinnamon to a pot over high heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the apples are soft and the water has fully evaporated.
2. Stir in the coconut sugar and walnuts.
3. Working with one sheet of rice paper at a time, dip it in room temperature water until just softened. Place a wet rice paper wrapper onto a clean work surface. Continue softening the remaining 2 sheets in water and then transfer them to the work surface, overlapping each sheet slightly. Add the apple filling, spreading it evenly.
4. Roll the wrappers like one long, skinny burrito: Take the edge of the rice paper that's closest to you and gently roll it over the apple mixture. Fold over the sides and continue to roll until it looks like a rope.
5. Now, take one end of the rope and roll it onto itself into a coil.
6. Brush with some melted butter and sprinkle on a touch more coconut sugar on top.
7. Tip: depending on the air-fryer you may need to cook the "pie" for 4-5 min on each side so both sides get crispy.
8. Cook in a 400F air fryer for 8 minutes, or until crispy. Let cool for a minute or two and enjoy right away. Feel free to dust with powdered sugar but keep in mind the crust will soften the longer it sits.

Kitchen notes

• Shaping: Instead of the coil method, you can make individual apple pies by folding each rice paper round one like a packet (just like our pop tart recipe).
• Soaking: Don’t over-soak the rice paper—5 seconds in room temp water is plenty. Too long and it gets sticky and floppy.
• Layers: If your rice paper tears or feels too thin, just add another soaked sheet to reinforce.
• Surface: Use a damp, clean kitchen towel or cutting board so the rice paper doesn’t stick while rolling.
• Season to taste: You can adjust the coconut sugar and cinnamon to your taste preferences, adding more or less.
• More crispy rice paper recipes: If you love this recipe, you should also check out our recipes for Rice Paper SpanakopitaBurek and Baklava!