Fried pies, also known as fry pies, are mainly dessert pies that are a type of turnovers, that are fried. The fruit filling is wrapped in the dough, similar to the dough of a pie crust.
Historically in the American South, fried pies were known as "Crab Lanterns", a term that dates back to at least 1770, and may originate from crab apple pies that had slits for ventilation, thus resembling a lantern.
McDonald's introduced apple pies to their menu in 1968. In 1992 they were phased out in the United States citing health concerns, in favor of a baked pie.
New Orleans' company Hubig's has produced fried pies since 1922. Originally a southeastern chain that originated in Texas, its New Orleans bakery was the only of its locations to survive the Great Depression.