McDonald’s Brings Back Beloved Fried Apple Pie for Limited Time
Nostalgic Treat Returns Nationwide for Summer Celebration
Fast-food giant McDonald’s is set to reintroduce a popular dessert that has been a frequent request from customers for decades. Starting June 23, participating restaurants across the country will once again offer the chain’s classic fried apple pie. This limited-time return coincides with the upcoming celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.
The celebrated pie features a filling made with American-grown apples encased in a crispy, flaky fried crust. This beloved treat first debuted on McDonald’s menus in 1968, originating from a recipe developed by Litton Cochran, a franchise owner in Tennessee. For years, it was a menu staple until most U.S. locations transitioned to a baked version in 1992, a shift attributed to growing health concerns regarding fat and cholesterol.
While the fried version largely disappeared from mainland U.S. menus, it remained available in Hawaii and some international markets. Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s owner and operator and grandson of the original creator, expressed enthusiasm for the dessert’s comeback. “There are certain things that just take you back — and the Fried Apple Pie is one of them,” he stated. “It’s something that people love and remember from growing up.”
Giant Pie Display to Mark the Occasion
To commemorate the return of the fried apple pie, McDonald’s is planning a unique installation. A 35-foot-tall replica of the fried apple pie will be unveiled along historic Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, not far from the company’s Chicago headquarters. This colossal dessert display is scheduled to remain in place until July 4.
Customer Reactions and Hopes for Permanence
News of the pie’s return has sparked considerable excitement online, particularly among those who fondly recall the original fried version. Many customers have voiced their desire for the pie to become a permanent fixture on the menu again. One online commenter expressed, “This is amazing news! But I wish it wasn’t just for two weeks!” Other patrons suggested that this limited-time offering could signal a potential full-scale reintroduction.
Some individuals pointed out that the fried pie had never truly vanished for everyone, noting its continued availability in places like Hawaii. Discussions have also emerged regarding whether the returning pie will precisely replicate the taste and texture of the original. One commenter humorously remarked, “Unless they’re frying it in beef tallow again, they’re not serving THE fried apple pie.”
