A savory hand pie that starts with a pre-made crust for ease and simplicity and is stuffed
with lots of bold Greek flavors!
Eating with your hands is so much more fun than eating with utensils. Sure, forks and knives are neat, civilized, and mannered. But foods that are meant to be eaten with your hands are often so much more fun! These savory hand pies are a delicious chance at finger food or a nice meal on the go. No one can resist a warm meaty filled pie in a flaky buttered crust, especially when they’re already portioned and easy to grab off a plate.
What Are Hand Pies?
Hand pies are little-crimped pie dough rounds that are filled with either a sweet or savory filling. I think the sweet versions are always a hit. My family loves both these lemon hand pies and these cinnamon roll hand pies,
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.
Ingredients
- Prepared Pie Crusts
- Ground Beef
- Zucchini
- Black Olives
- McCormick Greek Seasoning
- Salt
- Garlic
- Egg
- Water
For the exact measurements, please see the recipe card below.
How To Make Greek Hand Pies
This recipe starts with boxed pie dough. I think the boxed pie crust tastes great. Sure you could make your own, but this recipe is all about making your life easier!
To start, make a simple meat filling using ground beef, seasoning, and finely diced (or shredded) zucchini, and diced black olives. While the beef is cooking, it’s time to work on pie dough.
Lightly flour a work surface, carefully roll out the pie dough ( you will only need one sheet from the box. Save the other pie crust for another recipe or perhaps double this one).
I used a 3-inch biscuit to cut the pies out of the dough. You can use larger rounds, just keep in mind that your hand pies may take longer to bake.
Place half of your circles on a greased or lined baking sheet. Place roughly a tablespoon of your meat mixture onto the center of each pie round on your baking sheet. Take the remaining pie rounds and place them over the meat mixture.
Recipe Tips
- 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.
Substitutes
- Pie crust. Crescent roll dough, pizza dough, or puff pastry (like the Spanakopita Hand Pies) can be used in place of the pie crust
- Ground meat. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork can be used in place of the beef.
- Veggies. You can just use diced zucchini, olives, pepperoncini, spinach, or other veggies for a meatless option.
FAQs
How To Seal Hand Pies
I like to take the tines or a fork and gently press the two pieces together. You could use your fingers as well by dabbing a little egg wash on the bottom round and sealing the top layer with your fingers. However, I think it is easier to press the dough together with a fork then brush a small amount of egg wash over each pie. The pies will only take about 15 minutes to bake. They should be golden and flakey when you take them out of the oven.
How To Store Hand Pies
While these pies are best when served warm or at room temperature. These hand pies will keep in the fridge for 3 or 4 days if kept in an airtight container.
Can I freeze hand pies, you ask? YES!! These can be kept in a ziptop bag or layered between sheets of parchment paper. The hand pies can be kept in a ziptop bag in the freezer for 1 month. I would prebake them and allow them to cool completely before placing them in the freezer. Pop them in the microwave or even the toaster when you need them!
What To Serve With Greek Hand Pies?
Serve warm as an appetizer, side dish, or AS the meal itself. These wonderfully with Avgolemono Soup, Greek Roasted Potatoes, or this Greek Chicken Souvlaki Salad! This is a great recipe for dinner, lunch boxes, game day, entertaining, holidays, special occasions, or just because you are in the mood for a little Greek food! Don’t forget to serve these with little pastries with Tzatziki Sauce!
For dessert, try these Greek Baklava Bites
Greek Recipes
Greek Caesar Salad
Caesar salad takes on a Greek spin in this easy side salad! Crisp lettuce and a creamy dressing make this salad taste delicious! This salad pairs with any meal and is a great change from your typical tossed salad!
Greek Style Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is a quick easy dish that only requires a handful of ingredients! A family friendly dish that is perfect for any night of the week.
Greek Roasted Potatoes
Greek roasted potatoes are the most flavorful side dish!
Sliced potatoes are lightly seasoned, roasted until soft and drizzled with lemon juice!
Greek Fries
These Greek Fries can be served as a meal with a salad or as an appetizer.
Great Greek flavors are present in every bite!
Greek Nachos
This Greek Nachos Recipe is a tasty snack, but a better meal! Ground lamb is seasoned and placed over pita chips along with other flavorful toppings for a Mediterranean snacking experience!
Easy Greek Gyro Skillet
This easy Greek Gyro sandwich turns into a hearty meal that is both simple and delicious! This easy gyro skillet meal is all made in one pot, which keeps things nice and simple!
Greek Hand Pies
A savory hand pie that starts with a pre-made crust and is stuffed with Greek-inspired flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 14.1 oz boxes Pillsbury Pie Crusts
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup finely diced zucchini
- 1/4 cup chopped black olives
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Greek Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg lightly beaten with a splash of water.
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef, stir in garlic and Greek seasoning and salt. Add zucchini and olives and continue cooking until zucchini just starts to soften. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 425. Sprinkle flour over a work surface. Roll out one sheet of dough. Cut dough into circles using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, rerolling scraps as necessary. Repeat with remaining sheet of dough.
- Arrange half of the circles on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place a tablespoon of meat mixture on the dough circles, top with roughly a half teaspoon of cheese. Place the other circle halves over the meat and cheese mixture. Pinch edges together with the tines of a fork.
- Combine egg and water in a bowl. Brush egg wash over the top of each hand pie.
- Bake in the oven for 13-15 minutes or just until golden. Remove from oven and let hand pies cool slightly before serving. Serve with tzatziki sauce on the side.
- Store hand pies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or a zip-top bag.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1 hand pieAmount Per Serving Calories 307Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 49mgSodium 410mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 13g
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
These hand pies look great! I need to give them a try!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Nancy!
Julie Evink says
Haha details are killing ya! I would never notice that stuff…too funny! These sound amazing!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Julie! Maybe I’m just weird.
lovebakesgoodcakes says
These sound great, Tanya! I love Greek food – and I love how easy this is. Pinned it 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Jamie, these were a hit with the family!
Nicole says
I love handpies … sweet & savory! These look tasty 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Me too Nicole! So easy too!
Meg Robins de Haan says
OMG. I am always going to notice that now about movies. haha. too funny.
These pies look awesome. I love greek food. Pinned!!!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
You are cracking me up. I never thought about the door! Unless there is a dog. And then I think, “shut the dang door! The dog is gonna get out! Gah.”
I freaking love these hand pies. Totally brilliant. Makes me wish I could find lamb somewhere. But ground beef and oregano and TZATZIKI !!!! will do the trick!
Debra Rose says
Hand pies are the best! Those look so tasty – my guys are gonna like these. Thanks for the recipe.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks for stopping by Debra!
cookingwithcurls says
lol, I do the same thing while watching movies and TV shows. I have even noticed when someone’s shoes are different, in different scenes! Or hairstyles from one shot to the next. If I can notice it, why can’t the person that is doing the editing notice it!! Oh well….those hand pies look and sound amazing. I will have to buy some Greek seasoning when I am in CA next month and bring it back with me. 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
It’s a terrible habit Lisa, I have to just focus on the story line and not the details! Thanks Lisa!
Marnie says
These look wonderful! Thanks for sharing this one.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Marnie!
Cindy Eikenberg @ Little Miss Celebration says
Tanya, I’ve never made anything like this and they sound absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe and I really want to try these! Pinning! Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Lemonsforlulu says
Your are so sweet Cindy! Thank you!
Greek Baklava says
You have been on my to-bake bookmark list on my phone for some time now, finally had some time today to make these!!
Lemonsforlulu says
What did you think? I love when I can simplify a Greek dish.
Ann McCreery says
Oh, funny stuff on your page. I am not Greek but I had many friends in Fresno High School who were first generation kids from Greek families. I dearly love the food, am making some tonight for my confused husband. Are you acquainted with Kopi Sotiropulous oh I hope I spelled it right, but he is a newscaster in Fresno where we were in high school together. If you don’t know him find him on Facebook and I will give you an OK. You can find me on FB and Kopi is a friend on my page.
Ann S says
Could these be frozen? To have later would I make them and not bake them? Or bake them and then reheat them? I am a “double the batch” when I can for quick lunches and light dinners. They sound fabulous.
Tanya Schroeder says
I would bake them first, then reheat as needed.
Leslie Hazelton says
The recipe says ‘place the other circle over the meat and cheese’. There is no cheese listed in the recipe. Do you add cheese for some moisture.