These savory hand pies are the ultimate comfort food. Filled with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and a rich cream-based sauce, all wrapped in a golden, flaky puff pastry, they’re a perfect appetizer, snack, or light meal. Whether you’re serving them at a gathering or enjoying them for a cozy night in, these hand pies offer the ideal balance of rich flavor and crunchy texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor-packed filling: The combination of caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and thyme creates a savory, aromatic filling that’s both comforting and satisfying.
- Flaky puff pastry: The puff pastry bakes up golden, light, and crisp, offering the perfect contrast to the creamy filling.
- Versatile and easy to make: These pies are customizable with different fillings (try adding cheese or meat) and are simple enough for any baker, regardless of skill level.
- Perfect for parties or snacks: Their handheld size makes them perfect for a party appetizer, picnic, or a lunchbox treat.
- Make ahead and freeze: You can make these hand pies in advance and store them in the freezer for a quick snack or meal whenever you need one.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms (cremini or button), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup vegetable broth or water
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or full-fat milk
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Instructions
1. Prepare the filling:
Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 8–10 minutes until they are caramelized and golden. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
Once the onions are caramelized, add the chopped mushrooms, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the mushrooms release their moisture and cook down, about 6–8 minutes.
Sprinkle the flour into the mixture and stir for 1–2 minutes to combine. Then, add the vegetable broth (or water) and the heavy cream. Simmer for another 3–4 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Let the filling cool completely before assembling the pies to avoid soggy pastry.
2. Prepare the puff pastry:
Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 6 squares (about 3×3 inches).
3. Assemble the hand pies:
Place 1 to 1½ tablespoons of the cooled filling on the center of half of the pastry squares. Brush the edges with water, then cover with the remaining squares of puff pastry. Press the edges down and crimp with a fork to seal them tightly.
4. Bake the hand pies:
Brush the tops of each pie with the beaten egg wash for a golden finish. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes or fresh thyme sprigs for added flavor and decoration.
Place the hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and puffy.
5. Serve:
Let the hand pies cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them while they’re still warm, with their crispy exterior and creamy, savory filling.
Servings and Timing:
- Servings: 12 hand pies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Cheese Add-in: For extra richness, add a handful of shredded cheese like Gruyère, cheddar, or Parmesan to the filling mixture.
- Add Meat: If you’d like to add some protein, try incorporating cooked chicken, sausage, or bacon into the filling.
- Herb Variations: Swap out the thyme for other herbs like rosemary, oregano, or sage to suit your taste.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a little heat.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Unbaked pies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Place the assembled hand pies on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. To bake from frozen, simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: Reheat baked hand pies in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–12 minutes, until warmed through and crisp.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pastry?
Yes! While puff pastry creates the perfect flakiness, you can use shortcrust pastry or even phyllo dough for a different texture.
Can I make these hand pies vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian! You can add a variety of veggies or leave out any meat to keep them plant-based.
Can I add cheese to the filling?
Absolutely! Gruyère, sharp cheddar, or even a soft cheese like goat cheese would work wonderfully.
How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?
Be sure to cool the filling completely before assembling, and don’t overfill the pies. A thin layer of filling works best for a crisp pastry.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the pies ahead and either refrigerate or freeze them. Bake them when you’re ready for a delicious, fresh snack or meal.
How can I make them spicier?
If you enjoy a little heat, you can add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or even a splash of hot sauce to the filling for an extra kick.
Conclusion
Savory hand pies are the ultimate handheld snack, perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re looking for a delicious party appetizer or a satisfying lunch, these crispy, flavorful pies are sure to be a hit. With a creamy mushroom and onion filling and a golden, flaky puff pastry crust, every bite is a delightful combination of textures and savory flavors. Best of all, they can be made in advance, making them an easy and impressive addition to any meal.
Print
Savory Hand Pies: A Perfectly Crispy, Flavorful Snack
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 hand pies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These savory hand pies are the ultimate comfort food. Filled with caramelized onions, mushrooms, and a rich cream-based sauce, all wrapped in a golden, flaky puff pastry, they’re a perfect appetizer, snack, or light meal.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cups mushrooms (cremini or button), finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup vegetable broth or water
1/4 cup heavy cream or full-fat milk
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)
Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 8–10 minutes until caramelized. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
- Add chopped mushrooms, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until mushrooms release moisture and cook down, about 6–8 minutes.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir for 1–2 minutes. Add vegetable broth (or water) and heavy cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Let filling cool completely before assembling.
- Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface and cut each sheet into 6 squares (about 3×3 inches).
- Place 1 to 1½ tablespoons of cooled filling on half of the pastry squares. Brush edges with water, then cover with remaining squares. Press edges down and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sea salt flakes or fresh thyme. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Let the hand pies cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them while still warm.
Notes
- For extra richness, add shredded cheese like Gruyère, cheddar, or Parmesan to the filling.
- Try adding cooked chicken, sausage, or bacon for a meaty filling.
- Herb variations: Swap thyme for rosemary, oregano, or sage.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
