McDonald’s officially announced Tuesday that it is bringing back its legendary fried apple pie. The fast-food giant is reviving the classic menu item to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
The fried apple pies will be available at participating U.S. restaurants for a limited time starting June 23. This rollout marks the first broad domestic appearance of the crispy dessert in more than 30 years.
The *FRIED* Apple Pie finally returns to McDonald's June 23rd and with a caramel sundae it's PERFECT! 🦅🥧
It was GLISTENING out of the box and this is how you celebrate the 4th of July!
Are you grabbing one next week?? pic.twitter.com/sAouRwTbx0
— Snackolator (@snackolator) June 16, 2026
"Summer tends to move fast – but the moments worth remembering don’t. And with America’s 250th birthday around the corner, we’re bringing back a fan-favorite and bona fide national treasure made for slowing down and savoring the season: the Fried Apple Pie," the company said in a press release.
The all-day menu item features a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples. The recipe is wrapped in the same golden crunch and flaky fried crust that longtime fans remember.
McDonald's noted that the popular dessert item originally started as a family recipe in the 1960s. East Tennessee owner and operator Litton Cochran created the initial fried apple hand pie. The sweet treat quickly became a local fan favorite before turning into a corporate classic.
"There are certain things that just take you back – and the Fried Apple Pie is one of them. It’s something that people love and remember from growing up," Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s owner and operator, said in a statement.
"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. 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," Cochran added.
McDonald’s famously replaced the fried apple pie in 1992 with a baked alternative across most of the United States. The pivot was made in response to growing consumer awareness regarding dietary fat and cholesterol. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also published its food guide pyramid that same year.
The original fried apple pies managed to remain on McDonald's menus in Hawaii over the decades. The classic items are also actively sold in other global markets, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Greece, Australia, and China.
To help celebrate the return, McDonald’s is installing a massive 35-foot fried apple pie sculpture on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois. The giant promotional display will remain standing near the company's Chicago headquarters through July 4.
A kickoff event will be held in Chicagoland to debut the massive pastry installation. The special event will feature live music, ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards for local guests.