Hand pies are little-crimped pie dough rounds that are filled with either a sweet or savory filling. The sweet versions are always a hit. But savory hand pies can hold their own, especially with the right filling. Spanakopita Hand Pies and taco hand pies are both worthy recipes, but these little Greek Hand Pies are special.
Hot and flaky, these savory hand pies are such a wonderfully cozy treat to warm up with on a chilly day. Prepared with a rich and saucy beef filling, simmered with diced potatoes and vegetables, tucked into store-bought puff pastry and baked until golden, these delectable hand pies are a comforting grab-and-go lunch, or light dinner!
Pop Tarts and other sweet treats may be the first things that come to mind when you hear the phrase hand pie, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here is 4 optional filling you can choose. Because of their portability, each is ideal for your next picnic, but they’re certainly just as enjoyable eaten indoors!
Rich, hearty stews, hot soups, creamy pot pies, and flaky hand pies begin to beckon with their slow-simmered aroma and simple, earthy ingredients that thoroughly warm the belly—they feel like love in food form!
Whether you prefer sweet or savory, you'll want to keep these easy pie recipes on hand.
1. Artichoke, Jalapeño and Bacon Hand Pies: Throw on the game, crack open a cold one and grab one of these hearty hand pies — football season just got way more enjoyable. (via 10th Kitchen)
2. Fried Ham and Ricotta Calzones: Transform calzones into handheld snacks by tossing them (okay, lowering them gently) into hot oil. (via Saveur)
3. Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Hand Pies: These precious pies are a terrific idea for Thanksgiving — serve them up as a starter or side. We bet they would also use up any leftover squash or even sweet potatoes from your feast quite nicely. (via Style Sweet CA)
4. Beef Empanadas: Consider yourself warned, overindulging in these Spanish empanadas has been known to cause a sudden need for a siesta. Saveur)
You’d better prepare these ingredients if you want to make savory hand pies yourself.
Prepared Pie Crusts
Ground Beef
Zucchini
Black Olives
McCormick Greek Seasoning
Salt
Garlic
Egg
Water
To make the process quicker and easier the day you'd like to serve these hand pies, you can prepare the filling a day or two ahead and keep it in the fridge. Then, just spoon the cold filling into your thawed, rolled, and cut puff pastry squares, seal, chill, egg wash, and bake!
If you'd like to keep things light and simple, then a green salad with spicy greens is a terrific accompaniment to these hand pies. But for a more comforting and hearty side, opt for these creamy mashed potatoes—they're so good!
You will only need a spoonful of filling for each hand pie, if you place too much in the center, the filling will come out of the side. If the pie dough doesn’t press and seal together, use wet fingers around the edge of the bottom dough round, then seal the layers with fork tines as mentioned above. Make sure the hand pies have cooled completely before storing.
