Description
These delightful Pumpkin Hand Pies feature a flaky pie crust filled with spiced pumpkin pie filling, fried to golden perfection and coated in cinnamon sugar. Perfect as a cozy fall treat or festive dessert, they offer a crispy exterior with a warm, comforting filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 batch homemade pie crust recipe or 2 boxes store-bought pie crusts
Filling
- 2 cups pumpkin pie filling (homemade or store-bought)
Frying
- Canola or vegetable oil, for frying (enough for 2-3 inches deep in pot)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Crusts: Roll out the pie crust(s) on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of â…› inch. Using a 4-5 inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles to form about 26-28 rounds from homemade dough or slightly fewer from store-bought.
- Fill and Shape: Place 1 heaping tablespoon of pumpkin pie filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, moisten the edges with water, and seal by crimping with a fork to prevent filling from leaking.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside for coating after frying.
- Fry Hand Pies: Heat 2-3 inches of canola or vegetable oil in a medium pot to 375°F (190°C). Carefully add 2-3 hand pies at a time to the hot oil, frying for 3-4 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the hand pies and transfer them to a paper towel-lined cooling rack to drain excess oil. Maintain the oil temperature close to 375°F throughout frying for even cooking.
- Coat and Serve: While still warm, dip each fried hand pie into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly. Serve the hand pies warm or at room temperature as a delicious seasonal treat.
Notes
- Be sure the oil temperature remains steady at 375°F for crispy, not greasy, hand pies.
- If using store-bought pie crusts, allow them to come to room temperature before rolling out for easier handling.
- Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to retain crispiness.
- For a lower-fat version, consider baking the hand pies instead of frying, though the texture will differ.
- Use pumpkin pie filling you enjoy; homemade allows for control over spices and sweetness.
