Apple pierogi is a delightful twist on the classic Eastern European dumpling, bringing a sweet and comforting flavor to your table. These little pockets of joy are filled with a luscious apple mixture, combining tartness and sweetness in every bite.
Perfect for dessert or a cozy snack, apple pierogi offer a wonderful balance of tender dough and warm, spiced fruit filling that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re new to making pierogi or a seasoned pro, this recipe is straightforward, rewarding, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Making apple pierogi at home allows you to control the sweetness, spice levels, and texture, resulting in a fresh and wholesome treat. Plus, they freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them anytime you want.
Let’s dive into this classic recipe that brings warmth and happiness with every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This apple pierogi recipe is incredibly versatile and easy to customize. The filling bursts with natural apple flavor enhanced by cinnamon and a touch of sugar, offering a comforting and nostalgic taste.
The dough is soft, tender, and easy to work with, ensuring your pierogi turn out perfectly every time.
Because they are boiled, apple pierogi have a light texture, but you can also pan-fry them for a crispy finish, adding extra depth to the flavor and texture. This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, making it a fantastic option for a homemade treat without fuss.
Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack, apple pierogi are guaranteed to impress and bring smiles around the table.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Powdered sugar
- Melted butter with cinnamon sugar
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or cookie cutter (3-inch round)
- Large pot for boiling
- Slotted spoon
- Frying pan (optional, for sautéing or frying pierogi)
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream, warm water, and vegetable oil. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the flour, mixing continuously until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the Filling: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender but not mushy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out circles roughly 3 inches in diameter.
- Fill the Pierogi: Place a teaspoon of the cooled apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and firmly seal the edges by pinching or crimping with a fork.
- Cook the Pierogi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the pierogi into the boiling water in batches, stirring gently to prevent sticking. When they float to the surface, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain.
- Optional Pan-Fry: For a crispy finish, heat some butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the boiled pierogi for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve warm with your choice of toppings like sour cream, powdered sugar, or melted butter with cinnamon sugar.
Tips & Variations
“Using tart apples like Granny Smith balances the sweetness beautifully, but feel free to experiment with Fuji or Gala for a milder flavor.”
To make the dough easier to handle, let it rest covered for at least 30 minutes. This helps relax the gluten and prevents shrinkage during cooking.
If you want to add a little extra texture and flavor, consider mixing in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries into the apple filling.
For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) and use plant-based sour cream or yogurt.
Don’t worry if the pierogi edges aren’t perfectly sealed — a quick pinch or fork crimping will do the trick. If you want to freeze pierogi, freeze them on a baking sheet first before transferring to a bag to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per 3 Pierogi Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
Serving Suggestions
Apple pierogi are incredibly flexible when it comes to serving. For a classic approach, serve them warm with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
If you prefer a sweeter presentation, sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
For a festive touch, add a sprinkle of toasted nuts like walnuts or almonds on top. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert.
Looking for more delicious recipes to complement your apple pierogi? Check out Berry Cobbler Recipe Vegan: Easy, Delicious, and Healthy or try the savory side with Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious.
For a wholesome meal, you might also enjoy A Cold Vegetable Soup Recipe to Refresh Your Summer Meals.
Conclusion
Apple pierogi is a timeless recipe that brings warmth and sweetness to any occasion. With a soft, tender dough and a fragrant apple filling, these dumplings are perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a comforting treat.
The recipe is straightforward, with simple ingredients and easy steps that make homemade pierogi accessible for all skill levels.
Whether you prefer them boiled or pan-fried, topped with sour cream or dusted with sugar, apple pierogi are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Embrace the joy of homemade cooking and savor the delicious flavors of this traditional dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
📖 Recipe Card: Apple Pierogi
Description: Delicious homemade pierogi filled with sweet apple filling. Perfect as a dessert or snack.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT45M
Servings: 12 pierogi
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add egg, sour cream, and softened butter; knead into a dough.
- Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut into 3-inch circles.
- Combine diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Place a spoonful of apple filling in each dough circle.
- Fold dough over filling and seal edges tightly.
- Boil water in a large pot; cook pierogi until they float, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain and sauté pierogi in butter until golden.
- Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar if desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 34g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Apple Pierogi”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Delicious homemade pierogi filled with sweet apple filling. Perfect as a dessert or snack.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT15M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “12 pierogi”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 large egg”, “1/2 cup sour cream”, “1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened”, “3 medium apples, peeled and diced”, “1/4 cup granulated sugar”, “1 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “1 tablespoon lemon juice”, “2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)”, “Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour and salt in a bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add egg, sour cream, and softened butter; knead into a dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut into 3-inch circles.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place a spoonful of apple filling in each dough circle.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold dough over filling and seal edges tightly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Boil water in a large pot; cook pierogi until they float, about 3-4 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drain and saut\u00e9 pierogi in butter until golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar if desired.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220”, “proteinContent”: “4g”, “fatContent”: “8g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “34g”}}