Hand pies are so much easier to eat than a traditional pie, and you can skip the struggle of getting it out of the pan! These air fryer hand pies with puff pastry are the best of all worlds, because they prep fast thanks to ready made dough, and cook quickly as well!
Instead of traditional pie crust, I’m using flaky puff pastry dough. You’ll get layers of flavor and a delicious bite. Of course, you can use regular pie crust as well if you prefer, but I find this is a nice change of pace (and they’re super fluffy and cute)!
I’m making a pumpkin pie filling for my hand pies today, because it’s fall and it’s perfect for the season. In fact, these little handheld pies are great for Halloween or Thanksgiving if you want to change things up!
However, you can use any fruit filling you want and the rest of the recipe will be the same. Apple, blueberry, cherry, or any other flavor you like is a great choice!
The air fryer is one of my favorite methods for making hand pies, because it’s so much faster than the oven. Plus, these small pies fit in there more easily than a full sized pie, so it seems like it was meant to be!
Ingredients List
2 puff pastry sheets (refrigerated, or thawed if frozen)
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine)
1 large egg
¼ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of salt
For the Topping
2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp Demerara sugar (or similar)
½ tsp cinnamon
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You may substitute any flavor pie filling in place of the pumpkin, sugar, and spices!
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use ½ tsp cinnamon, plus a small amount (¼ tsp or less) of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or ginger, depending what you like and have on hand
A good substitution for the heavy cream would be evaporated milk. You can also add ¼ cup of sour cream or cream cheese to your pumpkin filling for some different, creamy variations (but I prefer the classic pumpkin pie flavor, so I don’t use it)
Instead of butter you can also use another beaten egg to wash the tops here, but I like the buttery flavor you get this way
Other topping options could be a drizzle of vanilla or cream cheese frosting!
Step By Step Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, 1 egg, brown sugar, heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to make sure everything is well incorporated
Flour a flat work surface (or use wax paper) and roll out one sheet of puff pastry dough, making sure to close any seams or tears. Cut the dough lengthwise in half and separate the two halves. Then, cut each piece widthwise into quarters (or thirds if your dough sheet is on the smaller side)
Spoon a heaping 1 Tbsp of filling onto one side of each dough slice, then fold the clean side over it to form a square. Pro tip: alternate which side of the dough you put the filling on, so when you fold it, they end up not right next to each other
Use a fork to crimp the edges all the way around each square, sealing the filling in. Repeat with the other sheet of dough until you have 16 hand pies
Using a sharp knife, cut two slits about ½” long into the top of each pie for ventilation
Brush the tops of the pies with the melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture for the topping on
Place the pies into your air fryer’s basket or rack, allowing some air space between them for expansion (you can line the basket with perforated parchment for easier removal if desired)
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-10 minutes at 350°F, or until the pastry is browned and cooked through. I usually do the first batch for 10, and then reduce by 1-2 minutes for subsequent batches, since the air fryer is warmer by then
Enjoy hot, warm, or at room temperature!
Alternate Oven Directions
Bake in a conventional oven on a parchment lined baking sheet at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until browned and cooked through
Can I Use Store Bought Puff Pastry for These Hand Pies?
Yes, store bought puff pastry works well for making hand pies quickly and easily.
You can typically find it in the freezer section (such as Pepperidge Farm brand) or in the refrigerated section near cookie dough (such as Jus Rol brand).
What’s the Ideal Size for the Hand Pie Cutouts?
Aim for a size that allows a generous filling without compromising the seal. A round, square, or rectangular shape of about 3-5 inches in diameter is common.
Larger than that, they become more difficult to eat due to their size. Smaller is fine, but it will be harder to get a good seal with the filling, and thus they are more likely to leak slightly.
Do I Need to Preheat the Air Fryer for Hand Pies?
You don’t have to preheat your air fryer for hand pies.
However, preheating helps prevent cold spots on the bottom, so you certainly can if you’re experiencing undercooked spots on the bottom.
How Long Should I Air Fry the Hand Pies, and at What Temperature?
Typically, 350°F (177°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown.
The time can vary slightly based on your specific air fryer, as well as the size and thickness of your individual hand pies.
Can I Make These Hand Pies in Advance and Reheat Them?
Yes, these hand pies can be made ahead and reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to warm them.
Pumpkin hand pies generally keep for 3-4 days if stored in the refrigerator. Other flavors may vary depending on the shelf life of the fruit.
How Do I Prevent the Hand Pies from Getting Too Soggy?
Avoid overfilling, and make sure to seal the edges well to prevent moisture from seeping into the pastry.
Additionally, make sure not to crowd the pies in your air fryer, as lack of airflow will result in uneven cooking and wet spots.
Can I Freeze Unbaked Hand Pies for Later Use?
Yes, you can freeze unbaked hand pies and air fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Unbaked, hand pies are generally good for about 1 month in the freezer.
What’s the Recommended Serving Accompaniment for Pumpkin Hand Pies?
If desired, serve with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or vanilla icing for topping.
These pies also go well with vanilla ice cream, for serving a la mode.
Recipe Pro Tips
Feel free to use a cookie cutter to cut your dough instead of just making squares. Cut two per pie in the shape you want, then add filling to one, top with the other piece, and crimp to close as normal. Pumpkin shapes are a great choice!
Clean seams are the key to sealing hand pies well. Make sure to put the filling in the center and keep the edges of the dough clean to get a good seal! After sealing, you can give the pies a gentle pat to evenly distribute the filling inside if desired
This recipe may be halved easily if you want to make a smaller batch! I can cook 4 hand pies at a time in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer; smaller air fryers may require more batches
Storage and Reheating Tips
Since they do contain egg, leftover pumpkin hand pies should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Feel free to enjoy them cold, or pop them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 325°F to reheat and warm them up!
These adorable air fryer hand pies with puff pastry are puffy, flaky, and delicious! Whether you fill them with this pumpkin filling or another fruit filling of your choice, they’re fun to eat and loved by kids and adults alike!
I love offering these small pies when entertaining, as they’re easy single serve portions, and no fiddling with a full sized pie is required! You can make a bunch of different flavors and let everyone choose their favorites!
The air fryer is the perfect way to cook them, taking about half the time of a traditional oven. If you’re making summer pies this way, it’s a nice alternative to heating up the whole house as well.
Air Fryer Hand Pies With Puff Pastry (Pumpkin Filling)
These adorable air fryer hand pies with puff pastry are puffy, flaky, and delicious. Fill them with sweet pumpkin filling or your favorite fruit filling for an easy dessert!
2Puff pastry sheets(refrigerated, or thawed if frozen)
1Cuppumpkin puree(canned is fine)
1Largeegg
¼Cupbrown sugar
2Tbspheavy cream
1Tsppumpkin pie spice
Pinch of salt
For the Topping
2Tbspbutter(melted)
2Tbspdemerara sugar(or another coarse grain variety)
½Tspcinnamon
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, 1 egg, brown sugar, heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to make sure everything is well incorporated
1 Cup pumpkin puree, 1 Large egg, ¼ Cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp heavy cream, 1 Tsp pumpkin pie spice, Pinch of salt
Flour a flat work surface (or use wax paper or parchment) and roll out one sheet of puff pastry dough, making sure to close any seams or tears. Cut the dough lengthwise in half and separate the two halves. Then, cut each piece widthwise into quarters (or thirds if your dough sheet is on the smaller side)
2 Puff pastry sheets
Spoon a heaping 1 Tbsp of filling onto one side of each dough slice, then fold the clean side over it to form a square. Pro tip: alternate which side of the dough you put the filling on, so when you fold it, they end up not right next to each other
Use a fork to crimp the edges all the way around each square, sealing the filling in. Repeat with the other sheet of dough until you have 16 hand pies
Using a sharp knife, cut two slits about ½” long into the top of each pie for ventilation
Brush the tops of the pies with the melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture for the topping on
2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp demerara sugar, ½ Tsp cinnamon
Place the pies into your air fryer’s basket or rack, allowing some air space between them for expansion (you can line the basket with perforated parchment for easier removal if desired)
Cook on the air fry setting for 8-10 minutes at 350°F, or until the pastry is browned and cooked through. I usually do the first batch for 10, and then reduce by 1-2 minutes for subsequent batches, since the air fryer is warmer by then
Enjoy hot, warm, or at room temperature!
Notes
You may substitute any flavor pie filling in place of the pumpkin, sugar, and spices!
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use ½ tsp cinnamon, plus a small amount (¼ tsp or less) of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or ginger, depending what you like and have on hand
A good substitution for the heavy cream would be evaporated milk. You can also add ¼ cup of sour cream or cream cheese to your pumpkin filling for some different, creamy variations (but I prefer the classic pumpkin pie flavor, so I don’t use it)
Instead of butter you can also use another beaten egg to wash the tops here, but I like the buttery flavor you get this way
Other topping options could be a drizzle of vanilla or cream cheese frosting!
Feel free to use a cookie cutter to cut your dough instead of just making squares. Cut two per pie in the shape you want, then add filling to one, top with the other piece, and crimp to close as normal. Pumpkin shapes are a great choice for this filling!
Clean seams are the key to sealing hand pies well. Make sure to put the filling in the center and keep the edges of the dough clean to get a good seal! After sealing, you can give the pies a gentle pat to evenly distribute the filling inside if desired
This recipe may be halved easily if you want to make a smaller batch! I can cook 4 hand pies at a time in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer; smaller air fryers may require more batches
Since they do contain egg, leftover pumpkin hand pies should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Feel free to enjoy them cold, or pop them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 325°F to reheat and warm them up!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and size of ingredients, any toppings or substitutions, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer desserts, air fryer hand pies, air fryer hand pies with puff pastry, baking with puff pastry sheets, ninja air fryer hand pies with puff pastry, puff pastry fruit pie, puff pastry hand pie, sweet air fryer hand pies
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
