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A copycat high protein mcDonad's Apple Pie cut in half, revealing a filling of diced apples and spices, is stacked on a pink plate, with a light cloth in the background.

High Protein Copycat McDonald's Apple Pie Recipe

Bethany Galloway
Copycat McDonald's apple pies with a cottage cheese dough, cinnamon-sugar crust, and 12g protein per pie, air fried in 12 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 pies
Calories 292
Protein 12

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 Firm apples - diced ½ inch (1cm), like granny smith or braeburn
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • squeeze of lemon
  • 1½ tsp cornstarch - cornflour slaked in 2 tbsp water

Dough

  • 6 oz 180g full-fat cottage cheese, blended completely smooth
  • 1½ cups 180g all-purpose flour (plain flour), spooned and levelled
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt

To finish

  • 1 egg - beaten
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar - caster sugar + ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Cook the apples, water, brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon 5–6 min, until just tender. Add more water if it gets too dry. Stir in the slurry, 30 seconds until glossy. Spread thin on a cold tray and leave 20 min to come to room temperature.
    2 Firm apples, 3 tbsp water, 1 tbsp light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, squeeze of lemon, 1½ tsp cornstarch
  • Blend the cottage cheese completely smooth. Mix into the flour, baking powder and salt, then knead 30 seconds only as overworking makes it tough.
    6 oz 180g full-fat cottage cheese, blended completely smooth, 1½ cups 180g all-purpose flour (plain flour), spooned and levelled, ¾ tsp baking powder, pinch of salt
  • Roll ⅛ inch (3–4mm) thick and cut four rectangles, about 4 × 5½ inches (10 × 14cm).
  • Filling on one half, leaving a ½ inch (1.5cm) border. Fold over and crimp hard with a fork.
  • Brush with beaten egg, cut three slits in the top, sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
    1 egg, 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 9–12 min, two at a time, until deep golden. Check at 9.

Notes

  • Filling must be room temp. Warm filling = burst seams.
  • ½ inch border, crimp hard all the way round.
  • Spoonful of filling per pie. No more.
  • Knead 30 seconds, then stop.
  • Check at 9 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 3mg