Hand pies are such a fun treat! Here’s a classic recipe for fried hand pies — crispy, golden, and perfect for sweet or savory fillings.
🥟🔥 Fried Hand Pies
Makes: About 8–10 pies
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: ~35 min
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Dough:
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp salt
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1 tbsp sugar (for sweet pies; omit or reduce for savory)
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1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
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½ cup cold water (plus a bit more if needed)
For Frying:
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Vegetable oil or canola oil, enough for deep frying (about 2 inches deep)
For Filling (choose one or both):
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Sweet: Fruit jam, pie filling, or sweetened cream cheese
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Savory: Cooked ground beef with onions, cheese, or seasoned veggies
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
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Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Gradually add cold water, mixing until dough just comes together.
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Form into a ball, flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill 30 minutes.
2. Prepare Filling:
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Have your filling ready and cool (especially savory fillings).
3. Roll & Cut:
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On a floured surface, roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
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Use a round cutter (~4-5 inches diameter) or a glass to cut out circles.
4. Fill & Seal:
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Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each dough circle.
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Brush edges with water, fold dough over to create a half-moon shape.
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Press edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
5. Heat Oil & Fry:
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Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
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Fry hand pies in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown (3–4 minutes per side).
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Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
6. Serve:
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Serve warm. For sweet pies, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze.
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For savory pies, serve with dipping sauce like ranch or salsa.
🔁 Variations & Tips:
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Bake instead of fry at 375°F for 20-25 minutes for a lighter version.
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Add spices or herbs to dough for extra flavor.
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Use puff pastry for quicker assembly (just fry or bake).
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Store leftovers in fridge and reheat in oven or air fryer.
Want a specific filling recipe for sweet or savory hand pies? Or a gluten-free dough version? Just say the word!
