11 Georgia Mountain Bakeries To Visit For Fried Apple Pies This Halloween
October in Georgia brings cool air, changing leaves, and the sweet smell of fried apple pies coming from mountain bakeries. These spots have been turning out warm, cinnamon-sugar treats for years, using apples grown just up the road.
Locals wait all season for that first bite, and visitors quickly understand why. It’s the kind of fall tradition that feels simple and familiar, no tricks, just fresh apples, flaky crust, and plenty of reasons to take a drive through the Georgia hills this Halloween.
1. Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge
Folks have been making the pilgrimage to this Blue Ridge spot since 1943, and the fried apple pies alone are worth the drive. They fry them fresh throughout the day, so you’re getting that crispy shell while it’s still crackling.
The apple filling comes from their own trees, picked at peak ripeness when the sugar content is just right. On busy fall weekends, they sell out by early afternoon.
Grab a few extra to take home because they reheat beautifully in your oven.
2. Panorama Orchards & Farm Market, Ellijay
Perched up where you can see the mountains rolling out forever, this family operation knows what they’re doing with a fryer and some dough. Their pies have that perfect ratio of crust to filling that keeps you coming back.
The bakery section sits right next to where they sort the fresh apples, so everything smells like October should. They use a recipe that’s been in the family for three generations.
Stop by on a weekday morning for the quietest experience and warmest pies.
3. R & A Orchards, Ellijay
The moment you walk in, someone’s usually pulling a fresh batch from the fryer. These pies have a slightly thicker crust that holds up to the generous apple filling without getting soggy.
They don’t skimp on the cinnamon, and you can taste the difference when apples come straight from trees you can see out the window.
The bakery stays open through Halloween with extended hours on weekends. Pair your pie with their fresh cider for the full mountain experience.
4. Red Apple Barn, Ellijay
That big red barn is hard to miss from the road, and once you smell what’s frying inside, you’re pulling over. Their hand pies have earned a reputation for staying crispy even after they cool down.
The filling strikes a nice balance between sweet and tart, thanks to a mix of apple varieties they grow themselves.
Halloween decorations cover every surface come October, making it feel extra festive. Get there before noon on Saturdays when the crowds really start rolling in.
5. Hillcrest Orchards, Ellijay
Walking into Hillcrest feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen if she happened to own an orchard. The fried pies here have a flakier crust than most, almost like a biscuit got friendly with a doughnut.
They fry in small batches all morning long, keeping everything fresh and hot. The apple chunks inside are substantial enough that you know you’re eating real fruit.
Their covered porch offers a nice spot to enjoy your pie while watching the mountains change colors.
6. Penland’s Apple House, Ellijay
Penland’s has been frying pies since before most folks around here can remember, and they haven’t messed with what works. The dough gets rolled thin enough to crisp up properly but thick enough to hold together when you bite in.
Their filling leans toward the sweeter side, perfect if you’ve got a serious sweet tooth. The smell of frying dough mixed with apple and cinnamon hits you in the parking lot.
They wrap extras in wax paper that keeps them fresh for the drive home.
7. Mack Aaron’s Apple House, Ellijay
Mack Aaron’s keeps things simple and does it right. Their fried pies have a homemade quality that reminds you of church potlucks and county fairs.
The crust bubbles up in spots where the oil hit just right, creating little pockets of extra crispiness. They use a touch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon, giving the filling a warmer, deeper flavor.
The staff will heat your pie back up if you want it extra warm. Parking fills up fast on fall weekends, so arrive early or be patient.
8. Jaemor Farms, Alto
Down in Alto, Jaemor runs a bigger operation than most mountain bakeries, but they haven’t lost that homemade touch. Their fried pies come out uniform and pretty, with crimped edges that seal in all that apple goodness.
The bakery counter stretches long enough that even Halloween crowds move through quickly. They fry continuously during peak hours, so you’re rarely getting anything that’s been sitting.
The market also stocks their fresh cider, which makes an excellent companion to a warm pie.
9. Hillside Orchard Farms, Lakemont
Up in Lakemont where the air gets a bit cooler, Hillside makes pies that taste like pure autumn. The crust has a buttery quality that suggests they’re not cutting corners on ingredients.
Their apple filling includes visible pieces of peel for extra texture and a hint of tartness. October brings out their best work, when the apples are at their peak and the fryer’s running all day.
The farm sits high enough that views come free with your purchase. Call ahead on weekends to make sure they haven’t sold out.
10. Tomato House Farms, Murrayville
Don’t let the name fool you. Come fall, Tomato House turns its attention to apples and the fried pies that made them famous in these parts. Their version has a lighter, airier crust that practically melts on your tongue.
The filling stays thick enough that it doesn’t run out the sides when you bite in. They dust each pie with cinnamon sugar while it’s still hot from the fryer.
The small parking lot means you might have to wait for a spot during peak times.
11. Aaron Family Orchards, Ellijay
Another Ellijay gem where the Aaron family has been growing apples and frying pies for longer than most folks remember. Their pies have a rustic, irregular shape that proves they’re hand-formed, not stamped out by a machine.
The filling tastes more complex than most, probably because they mix several apple varieties together. They fry in cast iron, which gives the crust a different texture than modern fryers produce.
Halloween weekend brings special hours and usually some festive decorations worth seeing.