Sweet or Savory Hand Pies Recipe

There’s something about a warm, flaky hand pie that just feels like a hug in food form. Whether you fill them with juicy fruit for dessert or something savory like cheese and ham for lunchboxes, hand pies are fun to make, easy to eat, and endlessly customizable. Kids LOVE them because they’re just the right size for little hands, and adults love them because they’re perfect for on-the-go or cozying up with a cup of coffee.

Today’s recipe gives you a super simple, buttery crust and filling options for both sweet and savory versions—because once you learn the technique, the possibilities are endless.

What You’ll Need

For the Pie Dough (Makes about 10 hand pies):

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar (omit for savory)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup ice water

For Sweet Fillings (choose one or mix & match):

• ½ cup fruit preserves or jam (strawberry, blueberry, or apple)
• ½ cup cooked apples with cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon sugar (for sprinkling)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

For Savory Fillings (choose one or mix & match):

• ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon or ham
• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, etc.)
• ¼ cup sautéed spinach or mushrooms
• Pinch of pepper and herbs
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Hand Pies

🥶 Keep Dough Cold – Cold butter = flaky crust! Chill your dough if it gets too soft.
🍓 Don’t Overfill – Less is more! Too much filling = leaks.
👧 Let the Kids Help – Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes and let kids seal the edges with a fork.
🥚 Use Egg Wash – That glossy golden finish comes from brushing with egg wash.
🧊 Freeze Before Baking – Chill the assembled pies for 10 minutes before baking to help hold their shape.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Pastry cutter or food processor
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Fork
• Pastry brush
• Knife or round cookie cutter

Substitutions & Variations

🥧 No Time for Dough? Use store-bought pie crust or puff pastry!
🧀 Savory Option – Try pizza-style (pepperoni + mozzarella + marinara)
🍑 Sweet Option – Use Nutella + banana or cream cheese + jam
🌱 Vegan Option – Use vegan butter and skip the egg wash (sub with almond milk wash)

Make-Ahead Tips

• Dough can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge
• Assembled unbaked hand pies can be frozen on a tray, then transferred to a bag and baked straight from frozen

How to Make Hand Pies

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar (if using).
2. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
3. Slowly add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together.
4. Form into a disc, wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Roll and Cut

1. Roll dough on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thick.
2. Cut out circles or rectangles using a knife or cookie cutter.

Step 3: Add Filling

1. Place a small spoonful of jam, fruit, or savory filling in the center of each piece.
2. Brush the edges with egg wash, then place a second piece of dough on top or fold over.
3. Seal edges with a fork and cut a small slit on top.

Step 4: Bake

1. Place pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle sugar (for sweet pies).
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 5: Cool & Enjoy

1. Let cool slightly before eating—filling will be hot!
2. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Leftovers & Storage

• Store in an airtight container at room temp for 1–2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Reheat in a toaster oven or oven for best texture (avoid microwave—it softens the crust!)
• Freeze unbaked pies for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking these with your little ones on a weekend or meal-prepping some savory pies for the week ahead, hand pies are simple joy in pastry form. They’re flaky, fun, and filled with flavor—and once you make them once, you’ll want to try every variation.

💬 Let me know in the comments what kind of filling YOU tried! Did the kids help shape them? I’d love to hear how it went. Happy baking, hand pie hero! 🥟✨