These mini peach pies turn fresh, juicy peaches into individual handheld pies with a buttery, flaky crust on top and bottom. Each one bakes up golden and bubbly in a regular muffin tin, so you get all the charm of a full-sized peach pie without slicing a single wedge. They are perfect for potlucks, backyard cookouts, or just a Tuesday when you want pie but do not want to commit to a nine-inch dish.
Nonstick 12-cup muffin pan recommended for even browning and clean release (optional)
Adjustable Rolling Pin for even dough thickness (optional)
Silicone pastry brush for even egg wash application (optional)
Ingredients
6ripe peachespeeled, pitted, and diced (about 4 cups or 680g; canned or frozen peaches work too)
2/3cupgranulated sugarabout 135g
2tablespoonscornstarch
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice
1teaspoonground cinnamon
1/4teaspoonground nutmeg
salta pinch
2tablespoonsunsalted buttercut into small pieces
3roundsrefrigerated pie crustor 1 double batch of homemade Flaky Pie Crust
1largeeggbeaten, for egg wash
1tablespoonturbinado sugarfor topping (optional)
Instructions
Place diced peaches in a large bowl. Add sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir gently to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
Transfer peach mixture to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat, stir in butter until melted, and cool to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease all 12 cups of a muffin tin.
On a lightly floured surface, roll pie crusts to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 4-inch cutter, cut 12 bottom circles. Using a 3-inch cutter, cut 12 top circles. Reroll scraps as needed.
Press each 4-inch dough circle into a muffin cup, gently pushing it up the sides to the top edge. Be careful not to stretch or tear the dough.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of cooled peach filling into each dough-lined cup. Fill just to the top without mounding.
Place a smaller dough circle over the filling in each cup. Press edges together with fingers or a fork to seal. Cut 2-3 small slits in the top of each pie for steam to escape.
Brush tops lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if using. Place muffin tin on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 22-25 minutes until deep golden brown.
Let pies cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes to set the filling. Run a thin knife gently around each pie edge, then lift out onto a wire cooling rack. Cool at least 10 more minutes before serving.
Notes
Keep dough cold: Chill dough for 10 minutes if it becomes soft while working. Warm dough is harder to seal and browns unevenly.
Don't skip precooking: Precooking the filling is essential to prevent watery or underbaked centers.
Use ripe but firm peaches: Overripe peaches release too much liquid and can make the filling runny.
Seal edges firmly: A weak seal is the most common reason filling leaks out during baking.
Rotate pan halfway: If your oven has hot spots, rotate the pan during baking for even browning.
Substitutions: Canned peaches (drained and patted dry) or frozen peaches (thawed and drained) work well in place of fresh.
Make ahead: Assemble unbaked pies, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Storage: Store baked pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze individually wrapped for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat baked pies in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Variations: Add fresh blueberries or raspberries to the filling, swap the top crust for a crumb topping, or stir in a splash of bourbon for a grown-up twist.