Here’s a crispy fried hand-pie (empanada–style) recipe like the ones in your image—golden, flaky, and lightly glazed.
Crispy Fried Hand Pies (Sweet or Savory)
🧾 Ingredients
Dough
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional – for sweet filling)
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed
- ¾ cup cold water (add gradually)
Filling (choose one)
Sweet options
- Apple pie filling (finely chopped)
- Sweetened cream cheese
- Chocolate spread
- Custard or vanilla pastry cream
Savory options
- Ground beef or chicken (cooked with onion & spices)
- Cheese + herbs
- Potato & cheese filling
For frying
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
Optional glaze (like the photo)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
👩🍳 Instructions
- Make the dough
- Mix flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Add cold water gradually until dough forms.
- Wrap and rest in fridge 30 minutes.
- Roll & fill
- Roll dough thin (about 3 mm).
- Cut circles (10–12 cm).
- Add 1–2 tbsp filling to center.
- Seal
- Fold into half-moons.
- Press edges with a fork to seal well.
- Fry
- Heat oil to 170–175°C (340°F).
- Fry until deep golden brown, turning once.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Glaze (optional)
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
- Drizzle over warm pies.
⭐ Tips
- Seal edges well to prevent leaks
- Keep oil temperature steady for crispness
- Can be baked at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 min (brush with egg wash)