McDonald’s is bringing back one of its most nostalgic menu items this summer, reintroducing the original Fried Apple Pie nationwide for a limited time as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday.
The fried dessert returns to participating restaurants across the United States on June 23, reviving a menu item that has been absent from most domestic locations for more than three decades.
The returning pie features a filling made with 100% American-grown apples wrapped in the crispy, flaky fried crust that helped make it a customer favorite after its debut in the 1960s.
According to McDonald’s, the Fried Apple Pie originated with East Tennessee franchise owner Litton Cochran, who developed a fried apple hand pie that became popular locally before evolving into a nationwide menu item.
“When Ray Kroc was trying to come up with a dessert for McDonald’s, my Grandad, Litton Cochran, suggested a Fried Apple Pie as a classic that people would love,” said Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s owner-operator and grandson of the original creator. “My Grandmom, Jo Cochran, spent months perfecting the recipe. Bringing the Fried Apple Pie back for fans this summer to celebrate America’s 250th just feels right.”
McDonald’s first introduced the Fried Apple Pie nationally in 1968, the same year the company launched the Big Mac. The dessert remained a staple until 1992, when the chain replaced it with a baked version in most U.S. markets amid growing consumer focus on dietary fat and cholesterol.
While the fried version disappeared from most American restaurants, it continued to be sold in select markets, including Hawaii, and remains available in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Greece, and China.
Giant Fried Apple Pie Installation Planned Near Chicago
To commemorate the dessert’s return and the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration, McDonald’s plans to unveil a 35-foot Fried Apple Pie installation along historic Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois.
The oversized attraction, dubbed “The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie,” will be located at 920 N. Broadway St. and will remain on display from June 23 through July 4.
The kickoff event on June 23 will feature live music, complimentary Arch Cards, and Coca-Cola beverages as part of the promotion.
North Texas Restaurants Join Limited-Time Promotion
The promotion will also extend to North Texas, where participating McDonald’s restaurants in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding communities are expected to offer the returning dessert while supplies last.
Company officials said the promotion is designed to celebrate American traditions while reconnecting customers with a menu item that evokes memories for longtime patrons.
The fried pie’s return follows a broader trend among fast-food chains introducing patriotic-themed menu items ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Other chains have unveiled limited-time desserts and beverages featuring red, white, and blue themes tied to the historic milestone.
McDonald’s has not announced a specific end date for the Fried Apple Pie promotion but indicated the item will remain available for a limited time during the summer celebration period.
The announcement has generated significant attention on social media, where customers have shared memories of the original dessert and expressed enthusiasm for its return.
