McDonald’s Brings Back Fried Apple Pie for America’s 250th Anniversary
On Tuesday, McDonald’s announced that it will reintroduce its fried apple pie to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Starting June 23, U.S. customers can find the fried apple pie in stores, but it will only be available for a limited time. This treat was originally created in 1968 by Lytton Cochran, a franchisee from Tennessee. The Associated Press shared this information in their report.
The last time fried apple pie was served in the U.S. was in 1992, when it was replaced by a baked version, responding to consumer preferences and health trends. It hasn’t been on U.S. menus for over three decades, although it can still be found in various McDonald’s locations around the world, including in Mexico, China, and Australia.
The fried apple pie contains 220 calories and claims to be made from “100% American apples in a perfectly fried, crispy golden crust,” according to McDonald’s official website. Customers can buy it in participating restaurants or through the McDonald’s App.
Until now, the fried apple pie could only be found in a few Hawaiian locations and one restaurant in Downey, California, as reported by Mashed in March.
Eric Cochran, who runs a McDonald’s and is Lytton Cochran’s grandson, commented on the pie’s return. “There are things that just bring back memories, and fried apple pie is one of them. It’s something that people love and remember from childhood,” he said.
In a past discussion, Eric explained how the pie became part of the McDonald’s menu. Ray Kroc, who was president of McDonald’s from 1955 to 1968, was exploring dessert options when Lytton suggested fried apple pie. “My father shared that it was a Southern tradition—a delicious, easy-to-carry dessert,” Eric recounted. Their family experimented with various recipes, refining the pie until they presented it to Ray, who encouraged them to find a producer.
As part of the pie’s revival, McDonald’s is erecting a 35-foot sculpture of the dessert along Route 66 near their Chicago headquarters, which will stand until July 4th.
