As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, there’s an undeniable warmth that draws us indoors, often leading us straight to the kitchen. It’s a time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and, most importantly, indulging in comforting fall desserts. Among these delightful treats, few capture the essence of autumn quite like the humble apple. And when that apple transforms into a golden-fried delight, served alongside creamy vanilla ice cream, you know fall has truly arrived. Welcome to the irresistible world of **Apple Pie Bombs A La Mode**—a dessert that promises glazed, tender apples encased in a soft, fried dough, perfectly complemented by a scoop of melting, dreamy ice cream.
Choosing the Perfect Apples for Your Bombs
The success of any apple dessert, especially one where the fruit is meant to shine, hinges on selecting the right apples. For baking and frying, the ideal apple maintains its structure and offers a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness. You want fruit that softens beautifully without dissolving into a bland, watery mush. A good baking apple will hold its shape, providing lovely chunks of tender fruit in every bite.
While **Granny Smith** apples are a perennial favorite for their firm texture and sharp tang that brightens any dish, there are several other varieties that perform exceptionally well in the heat of an oven or fryer. Consider these fantastic options, each bringing its unique characteristics to your apple pie bombs:
- Jonagold: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, Jonagold offers a sweet-tart flavor and a crisp texture that holds up well.
- Honeycrisp: Known for its exceptional crunch and balanced sweetness, Honeycrisp softens nicely while retaining some bite.
- Braeburn: With a firm texture and a lively sweet-tart flavor, Braeburn apples add a complex note to your filling.
- Mutsu (Crispin): Large and firm, Mutsu apples are wonderfully juicy and retain their shape, offering a sweet, mild flavor.
- Winesap: These older variety apples are spicy and tart, perfect for a robust apple flavor that stands out in a rich dessert.
- Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Offering a sweet-tart profile and a firm, crisp flesh, Pink Lady apples are a great all-rounder for baking and frying.
For the best flavor and texture, don’t hesitate to mix and match a couple of these varieties. A blend of sweet and tart apples often creates a more nuanced and exciting apple filling.
My culinary journey often involves days dedicated to intensive recipe testing, especially when it comes to fried foods. I confess, there was one particular day when the kitchen became a veritable frying zone. Heating up a pan of oil is a commitment, and to maximize efficiency and minimize cleanup, I tend to tackle multiple frying recipes in a concentrated burst. It was a sweltering day, which only added to the challenge, as I stood by the stove, diligently frying batch after batch. I’m fairly certain I ended up sweating oil by the time I was done! But the effort was undeniably worth it, because these **apple pie bombs a la mode**, inspired by a delightful recipe I developed for Pillsbury, turned out absolutely divine. And now, you too can savor every golden, sweet bite.
Proper Storage: Can Apple Pie Bombs Be Left Out Overnight?
One of the most common questions about delicious homemade treats is how to store them to maintain their freshness and flavor. Fortunately, these apple pie bombs are quite resilient. If you find yourself with leftovers (a rare but possible occurrence!), you can keep them covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to two days. This allows them to retain their delightful texture and flavor for immediate enjoyment.
However, if you need to extend their shelf life beyond two days, it’s best to transfer them to the refrigerator. Stored in an airtight container, they can remain fresh for an additional two to three days. When ready to enjoy a refrigerated apple pie bomb, a quick reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer can bring back some of that freshly fried crispness and warm apple filling, making them almost as good as new. Just remember, they are always best fresh, especially with that melting scoop of ice cream!
These apple pie bombs are truly something special, and anything served “a la mode” is an instant favorite in our household. My husband, Cade, was so pleased that he even offered a foot massage as a token of his appreciation! While he was working his magic on my tired feet, we naturally fell into a discussion about ice cream. I’m certainly no connoisseur like he is, but the question arose: what truly makes the best vanilla ice cream for a perfect a la mode experience? Is it the rich, egg-y French vanilla, the creamy slow-churned varieties, or perhaps a beloved brand like Tillamook or even a simple Kirkland signature? Or maybe a classic custard or a comforting homestyle vanilla? What are your thoughts on the ultimate vanilla ice cream? It’s a delightful debate for a dessert this good.
Selecting the Best Oil for Deep Frying
Deep frying can seem intimidating, but with the right oil and proper technique, it’s a straightforward way to achieve incredibly crispy and delicious results. Choosing the correct oil is paramount for both flavor and safety. The key factor to consider is the oil’s smoke point – the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and smoke, potentially imparting an unpleasant flavor to your food and releasing harmful compounds.
For deep frying, you need an oil with a high smoke point, typically above 400°F (200°C). This allows the oil to reach the necessary high temperatures for quick, even cooking without burning. The best oils for deep frying, commonly recommended for their stability and neutral flavor, are:
- Canola Oil: This is a popular choice due to its neutral flavor, high smoke point (around 400°F / 204°C), and affordability. It won’t overpower the natural taste of your apple pie bombs.
- Peanut Oil: Another excellent option, peanut oil boasts an even higher smoke point (around 450°F / 232°C) and also offers a clean, neutral flavor. It’s often favored for its ability to produce very crispy fried foods.
Other suitable oils include vegetable oil (often a blend of soybean and corn oil, with a smoke point similar to canola), sunflower oil, and safflower oil. Always avoid oils with low smoke points, such as olive oil or butter, as they will burn quickly and spoil your dish. Remember to heat the oil gradually and use a thermometer to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature (typically 350-375°F or 175-190°C for fried desserts) before adding your apple pie bombs.
Discover More Easy Apple Desserts
If these apple pie bombs have ignited your passion for apple-based treats, you’re in luck! The versatility of apples means there’s a myriad of delightful desserts to explore, perfect for any season, but especially comforting in the fall. From rich cakes to comforting puddings and quick, satisfying bites, here are some other easy and mouthwatering apple recipes you’ll definitely want to try:
- Apple Cake with Caramel Frosting
- Apple Brown Betty
- Easy Apple Dumplings with Sprite
- Apple Pie Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
- Mini Dutch Apple Cheesecakes
- Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls
- Apple Pie Pull-Apart Bread
- Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce
- Best Apple Crisp
- Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting
- Apple Pie Fried Ice Cream
Apple Pie Bombs A La Mode Recipe
Apple Pie Bombs A La Mode
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Ingredients
- 2 Apples, peeled and chopped into 1″ pieces (see notes above for best varieties)
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 Can Biscuits, each circle pressed out and cut into 4 pieces (store-bought refrigerated biscuits work perfectly)
- Oil for Frying (canola or peanut oil recommended)
- Cinnamon Sugar (for coating)
- Vanilla Ice Cream (for serving a la mode)
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot, filled about 1/3 full with your chosen frying oil (canola or peanut oil are excellent), over medium heat. Aim for a temperature of 350-375°F (175-190°C) for optimal frying.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the peeled and chopped apples, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Microwave for 30 seconds to begin softening the apples and melting the butter.
- Stir the apple mixture thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined and coated. Microwave again for another 30 seconds, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. You want them cooked but not mushy.
- Working with one flattened piece of biscuit dough at a time, use a small spoon to scoop an apple piece along with a little of the delicious cinnamon-sugar sauce onto the center of the dough. Don’t overfill.
- Carefully pinch all the edges of the biscuit dough together to fully enclose the apple filling, forming a neat “bomb” shape. Ensure the seams are completely sealed to prevent filling from leaking during frying. Set aside and repeat with the remaining biscuit and apple pieces.
- Once your oil has reached the target temperature, carefully place 3-4 apple pie bombs into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry them, turning occasionally with tongs, until they are golden brown and cooked through on all sides, usually about 3-5 minutes per batch.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried apple pie bombs from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This helps keep them crispy.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining biscuit bombs until all are cooked to a beautiful golden perfection.
- In a separate shallow bowl, place your cinnamon sugar mixture. While the bombs are still warm, toss each fried apple bomb generously in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Pile them high on a large serving plate.
- For the ultimate indulgence, top each warm apple pie bomb with a generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. If you have any leftover apple pieces or sauce, chop the apples finely and sprinkle them over the ice cream for an extra touch of flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This delightful recipe is an old favorite, and we’re excited to share it again, bringing back those warm, nostalgic feelings of autumn. Speaking of fall, beyond the irresistible allure of homemade apple treats, the season offers so many wonderful experiences.
It was just recently that our family rediscovered the sheer awesomeness of local fall attractions. Yes, living in Lehi, we’ve long heard the buzz about Cornbelly’s, but we often wondered if it truly lived up to the hype. Well, let me tell you, it absolutely does! We had an incredible opportunity to take a helicopter tour over Thanksgiving Point and Cornbelly’s before the workday even began, and the views were breathtaking. What we saw from above only intensified our excitement for the ground-level fun.
Our little one was absolutely thrilled to meet characters like the Tin Man and Dorothy, bringing a touch of whimsical magic to our outing. And for those planning their own fall adventures, keep an eye out! Cornbelly’s is always pulling out all the stops with fantastic upcoming events you won’t want to miss. While more details are on the way, definitely mark your calendars. These kinds of fall festivals truly round out the season, providing memories alongside delicious treats like our apple pie bombs.
What impressed us most was how impeccably clean and well-kept everything was, and above all, how much genuine fun there was for everyone. See that expanse of yellow in the photo? That’s not just a field; it’s an actual massive jumping pillow! Kids can bounce and play to their hearts’ content, burning off all that energy from too many apple bombs. And over to the right, that huge rocking chair isn’t just for show – it’s another fun photo op and a place to relax for a moment. Every detail adds to the charming, family-friendly atmosphere that defines the perfect autumn day out.
And speaking of impressive feats, isn’t that corn maze absolutely amazing? It’s incredible how Brett, the visionary founder, manages to create such intricate and engaging designs year after year. The thought and effort put into these attractions truly elevate the entire fall festival experience. We are eagerly looking forward to returning with our entire family for another round of exploration and fun. If you happen to spot us there, please don’t hesitate to come over and say hello! Sharing these moments, whether it’s over a plate of warm apple pie bombs or amidst the fun of a fall festival, truly makes the season special. It’s a reminder to embrace the joy, flavors, and traditions that autumn so generously offers.
Deep Fried Peaches and Ice Cream
While apple pie bombs are a fall staple, the joy of fried fruit desserts doesn’t stop there. If you love the concept of warm, sweet fruit encased in a crispy exterior, then you absolutely must try **Deep Fried Peaches and Ice Cream**. It’s another irresistible combination that captures the essence of indulgence, perfect for a warm summer evening or as a delightful change of pace from apples. The soft, caramelized peaches, served with a cool scoop of ice cream, create a harmonious blend of temperatures and textures that is simply heavenly. It proves that some of the best desserts are often the simplest, especially when they involve a little bit of frying magic.
