McDonald’s Revives Its Deep-Fried Apple Pie

First launched in 1968 alongside the Big Mac, the fried pastry was a staple until 1992, when health-conscious shifting led the company to pivot toward a baked alternative. While the fried version vanished domestically, it remained a permanent fixture in markets like the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and Hawaii.

To anchor the relaunch, the company is constructing a 35-foot-long sculpture of the pie along Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois. This oversized roadside monument serves as a centerpiece for a broader nostalgia-marketing campaign, betting that consumers are eager to reconnect with the specific textures and flavors of the pre-1992 era.