If you are on the hunt for a delectable twist on classic pizza, the Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These handheld delights pack all your favorite pizza toppings into a flaky, buttery crust that’s perfect for sharing, snacking, or turning any meal into a fun, unforgettable experience. Imagine the cozy, melty cheese, savory sausage, and colorful veggies all wrapped up in a golden crust that crisps just right – it’s a pizza lover’s dream come true in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make Supreme Pizza Hand Pies means gathering a handful of simple yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a key role in building flavor, texture, and that irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.
- All-purpose flour (4 1/4 cups): The base of our flaky crust, providing structure and the perfect chew.
- Salt (3/4 teaspoon): A pinch to enhance all the flavors without overpowering.
- Unsalted butter (1 1/2 cups, chilled): Critical for that tender, flaky crust texture.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle tang and keeps the dough tender.
- Ice water (1/2 to 3/4 cup): The cold water keeps the dough cool as it comes together, helping with flakiness.
- Olive oil (2 teaspoons): Used in cooking the filling to enrich flavor and prevent sticking.
- Ground Italian sausage (1/2 pound): Brings bold, savory notes and a little spice.
- Yellow onion (1, finely diced): Adds sweetness and depth to the filling.
- Green bell pepper (1, diced): Offers bright color and a crisp bite.
- Garlic cloves (4, minced): Infuses a warm, aromatic base.
- Pizza sauce (1 1/2 cups or one 14-ounce jar): The saucy heart of our hand pies that ties all ingredients together.
- Pepperoni (1 cup): Classic pizza topping that adds a nice spice and texture contrast.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Elevates the flavor with a perfect herb blend.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Deepens the garlicky essence without overpowering.
- Salt and pepper: Adjusted to taste for balanced seasoning.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 1/2 cups): Melts beautifully for that gooey, indulgent finish.
- Italian seasoning for topping: Adds visual appeal and an extra herbaceous note.
- Parmesan cheese for sprinkling: Adds a delicate salty crunch after baking.
- Egg wash: Gives the crust a gorgeous golden shine and a slight crisp.
How to Make Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Flaky Dough
Start by combining your all-purpose flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Next, carefully cut in the chilled butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits. This texture is key to getting that flaky finish. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, then slowly add ice water, just enough to bring the dough together. Handle it gently and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to let the gluten relax and the butter firm back up.
Step 2: Make the Flavorful Filling
While the dough chills, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add your ground Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it browns. When nearly cooked, toss in the diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the veggies soften and the mixture smells incredible. Stir in the pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer for 5 minutes to marry all those robust flavors before removing from heat and letting it cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble Your Hand Pies
Roll out your chilled dough on a lightly floured surface into about a 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out 5 to 6 inch circles. Spoon a generous amount of the sausage and pepperoni filling onto one half of each circle, making sure to leave space around the edges. Top the filling with shredded mozzarella. Brush the edges with egg wash and fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Seal the edges by pressing with a fork. Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle extra Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your assembled hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-37 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. The kitchen will fill with a mouth-watering aroma that’s hard to resist. Let the hand pies cool just a bit before serving to let the filling set and avoid burns.
How to Serve Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Supreme Pizza Hand Pies even more irresistible, consider garnishing with a fresh sprinkle of chopped basil or a light drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil. A dash of red pepper flakes can add an extra kick for those who love heat, while a handful of microgreens adds vibrant freshness and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
These hand pies work wonderfully paired with classic sides like a crisp Caesar salad or a zesty cucumber tomato salad. For a comforting touch, warm some marinara on the side for dipping or serve with roasted vegetables that bring an earthy balance to the rich flavors packed inside your hand pies.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, arrange your Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of dipping sauces such as ranch, hot honey, or pesto. You can also stack a few with toothpicks for easy grabbing, or slice them into smaller portions to make charming pizza “pockets” perfect for parties or lunchboxes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Supreme Pizza Hand Pies can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure they have cooled completely before storing to prevent sogginess and preserve that perfect crust texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these hand pies ahead of time, freeze them before baking. Place them on a baking sheet so they don’t stick together and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to two months and can be baked straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
For reheating, the oven is your best friend to maintain crispness. Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or pop them into a toaster oven. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the crust soggy and less enjoyable.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made a day in advance and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. This also helps develop flavor and makes it easier to work with the next day.
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce?
Yes, a good quality store-bought pizza sauce works perfectly and saves time. For an extra touch, you can add a pinch of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to boost flavor.
What other proteins can I use instead of Italian sausage?
Feel free to swap Italian sausage for cooked ground beef, turkey, or even a vegetarian option like sautéed mushrooms or crumbled tofu if you prefer. Just season accordingly for best results.
How do I prevent the hand pies from leaking filling while baking?
Be sure to leave a border around the filling on the dough circle and press edges firmly with a fork after brushing with egg wash. Avoid overfilling, as too much filling can cause leaks during baking.
Can these hand pies be made gluten-free?
With some experimentation, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, but results might vary slightly in texture. Using a high-quality blend that contains xanthan gum is key to keeping the dough together.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe enough for anyone looking to shake up their meal routine with something delightfully comforting and portable. Each bite delivers layers of flavor wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust that’s just begging to be shared. Give it a go — your taste buds will thank you, and you might just find yourself making these delicious hand pies again and again!
Print
Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 12 hand pies
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Supreme Pizza Hand Pies are a delicious handheld twist on a classic pizza, featuring a flaky homemade pastry crust filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for parties or a fun family meal, these hand pies combine all the savory flavors of a supreme pizza wrapped in a convenient, portable pie.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 1/4 cups (510 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1” pieces
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup – 3/4 cup (80–120 grams) ice water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage (about 2 links with casing removed)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce (or 1 (14-ounce) jar)
- 1 cup pepperoni, sliced or diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings
- Italian seasoning, for topping
- Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with a splash of water)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Using a pastry cutter or food processor, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the apple cider vinegar and gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic, sautéing until softened about 5 minutes. Add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through. Stir in pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Let the filling cool slightly.
- Roll Out the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 4 to 5 inch round cutter, cut out 12 circles. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut more circles.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling in the center of each dough circle. Top with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges together with a fork to seal. Brush each hand pie with egg wash and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Hand Pies: Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-37 minutes until the crust is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is very cold for the flakiest crust.
- Do not overfill the hand pies to avoid leaking during baking.
- Customize fillings with your favorite pizza toppings.
- Use a pizza sauce you enjoy for best flavor.
- Egg wash can be replaced with milk or cream for a golden crust if desired.
