I Tried This OG Menu Item McDonald’s Just Brought Back After 34 Years, and I Already Want Another One
Whenever I go through a McDonald’s drive-thru for a sweet treat, I opt for the classic vanilla soft-serve cone — just like the fast-food chain’s crispy Diet Coke, it never fails me. But when I saw that McDonald’s was bringing back the chain’s OG Fried Apple Pie, I knew I might have to mix it up this summer. Luckily, McDonald’s sent me a Fried Apple Pie on June 23, the day it was released, and it might just kick my soft serve to the curb for a bit (or maybe I’ll combine them for Fried Apple Pie à la mode).
Here’s everything you need to know about this returning dessert, including what it tastes like and how long you can expect it to be around.
What Is McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie?
It’s been a long time coming for the return of McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie. According to the company, the dessert first hit menus in the 1960s, but it left in 1992, when the Baked Apple Pie arrived. The OG pie has real homemade vibes because it started as a family recipe. Litton Cochran, a McDonald’s owner and operator in East Tennessee, recommended putting a Fried Apple Pie on the menu in the 1960s, and his wife, Jo Cochran, “spent months perfecting the recipe,” according to Eric Cochran, the Cochran’s grandson and a McDonald’s owner and operator.
As for the pie itself, it’s made with an apple filling, which features brown sugar and spices, and it’s encased in “a crispy, golden crust that’s fried to perfection.”
How Long Will McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Be Available?
The Fried Apple Pie made its glorious return to the menu — after 34 years away — on June 23, 2026. McDonald’s celebrated with a 35-foot Fried Apple Pie in Joliet, Illinois, along Route 66, which will be there until July 4. The regular-size Fried Apple Pie is available at nationwide McDonald’s locations for a limited time, so I’d try it sooner than later.
My Honest Review of McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie
Before tasting this dessert, I tried to recall the last time I ate a McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie — but I couldn’t pinpoint it. I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted the OG fried pies, so I was coming to this taste test with an open mind and eager taste buds.
Right out of the box, I could tell this was a fried pie. The crust looked flaky and inviting, and it smelled like a homemade pie, with the aroma of apples and cinnamon filling the air. It was also still very warm, which, considering I had it delivered, seemed promising. I experienced a satisfying crunch as soon as I bit into the pie and immediately tasted cinnamon and the warm apple filling. The apple flavor wasn’t as bold as the sugar and spices at first, but it grew as I kept eating.
I probably could’ve done with a little more filling, but for a handheld fast-food pie, I’ve got no complaints — and I really think it could be the perfect complement to my go-to cone.
