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Best Fall Pumpkin Pasties

Pumpkin spiced desserts are one of the many reasons to love the fall and this pumpkin pasty treat is perfect for fall. It has a subtle sweetness that is perfect for dessert or even afternoon tea time!

pumpkin hand pies lined up

Having a simple recipe you can pull together in under thirty minutes is something to love even more.

Pasties are nothing more than a simple dough filled pastry that can be savory or sweet. Think of them as delicious little hand pies.

You can make them even more fancy and use a puff pastry.

This pumpkin pasties recipe uses only 6 wholesome ingredients and can be pulled together with minimal effort.

It is a great recipe to use up any leftover pumpkin puree that you may have since a little pumpkin can go a long way. 

If you’re looking for other family friendly pumpkin treats, be sure to try my homemade pumpkin spice syrup, sourdough pumpkin bread, and my pumpkin banana muffins!

pumpkin hand pies lined up

What are pumpkin pasties?

Pumpkin pasties are handheld dough pockets filled with a sweet pumpkin spice filling and have a golden brown flaky crust.

These are also known as Cornish pasties and are often filled with savory ingredients and served all over England.

This particular variety known as a pumpkin pastie has become popular because of the popularity of the Harry Potter books, which this recipe is featured in. 

Many Harry Potter fans make these Harry Potter pumpkin pasties for parties.

pumpkin pasties on a cutting board

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • This is a great recipe for a picnic or a potluck since they are handheld, travel well, and can be enjoyed hot or cold. 
  • Since this perfect treat calls for a premade pastry dough, the ingredients come together quickly and only need 20 minutes in the oven.  
  • This is a very versatile dessert that can be made with a variety of different fillings. You could try an apple pie filling in the fall, fresh berries and herbs in the summer and a more savory filling of potatoes, cheese and bacon in the winter. The possibilities are truly endless. 
  • These pasties can easily be made ahead of time and popped into the freezer for the nights when you need a quick and easy dessert. Just reheat and serve. 
  • Many of you may already have a pie crust recipe you use or that has been passed down or you can use the recipe included below. Any pie crust will work for this recipe. 
unbaked pumpkin pasties

Tell me about pumpkin pasties

  • Taste- These homemade pumpkin pasties tastes like a mini handheld pumpkin pie. It’s subtly sweet with a little bit of spice from the cinnamon and nutmeg. 
  • Texture– Similar to a pizza pocket or a fruit filled pie, this dessert has a golden flaky outside with a smooth, silky filling. The egg wash on top really adds the perfect buttery shine. 
  • Ease– It doesn’t get much easier than this recipe. Honestly. You do not need any special baking instruments to make this dessert. 
  • Time– If you are making the pastry dough from scratch you will need to set aside an extra hour for the dough to rest in the fridge. From start to finish this dessert comes together in a half an hour. 
pie dough cut in circles with pumpkin pie filling on them

Ingredients for pumpkin pasties 

  • Pie Crust – You will need one homemade pie crust or refrigerated pie crust for this recipe. If you are making from scratch you will need 1 ¼ cup flour, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup butter and ¼ cup ice water. In a food processor, combine flour, salt and butter. Pulse until they are coarse crumbs. While the food processor is running, add the water slowly until a dough ball forms. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out. 
  • Pumpkin Puree –You will only need a ½ a cup for this recipe so this is a great use for that leftover can from your thanksgiving pumpkin pie, or you can double the recipe and make a large batch you can store in the freezer for a quick weeknight treat.
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg – This adds those familiar warm, spicy flavors that is a great compliment to the pumpkin puree. 
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice – If you don’t have this ingredient on hand you can make your own. Combine 3 tbsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tsp. ground ginger, 2 tsp. Nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice, and 1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves in a small bowl and mix to combine. Store in an airtight container for several months. 
  • Granulated Sugar – If you would like to substitute with a different type of sugar, you may need to add more or less depending on the level of sweetness you desire. 
pie crust being cut with a biscuit cutter

Make pumpkin pasties in 3 easy steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough and cut into 10, 3” diameter circles. 
  2. Mix filling ingredients and add one tbsp of filling to the center of each circle. Seal edges with a fork and brush the top with a simple egg wash. 
  3. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
pumpkin pasties on a cutting board

Tips for making the best pumpkin pasties  

  • Make sure you seal the edges of the pastie completely and cut a slit on the top to allow steam to escape and the filling to stay inside the pastry. 
  • You can use a biscuit cutter, pastry cutter, or the rim of a glass to get the perfect circle for your dough. Just make sure that your pasties are all the same size so they bake at the same time.  
  • You will want to make sure you let the pasties cool before you eat as the filling will be extremely hot. 
  • If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, you could make these for a themed party or movie night and even cut his famous lightning bolt to the top of the pastry to let the steam out. 
pumpkin pasties on a cutting board

Sweet Version Variations for Pasties

  • Cinnamon Apple Filling
  • Peach pie filling
  • Sweet Potato pie filling

Savory Version Variations for Pasties

  • Breakfast Pasties- egg, cheese, and sausage
  • Frittata pasties- minced ham, caramelized onion, and sautéd mushrooms
  • Mexican Pasties- taco meat, cheese, and salsa
pumpkin pasties on a cutting board

How to keep pasties from overflowing while baking

If you put too much pumpkin pie filling on your dough circles, you will have a difficult time keeping the pasties from opening up and letting the filling out.

How much filling you use depends upon how large your pie dough circles are.

Start with a teaspoon of sweet pumpkin filling and see if that fills your pasties. If your dough circles are larger, say 4-inch circles, you can use more filling.

Be sure to get the edges of each circle wet so they seal closed when folded.

Pressing a fork around the outside ensures they are fully sealed.

Don’t forget to top them with melted butter or an egg wash to get that golden finish!

Ways to cut out flaky pie crust circles the perfect size

  • Wide mouth mason jar lid
  • Pastry cutter
  • Biscuit cutter
  • A glass- Flip a glass over and cut the dough with the mouth of the glass
  • Small sharp knife- You can easily cut out circles with a sharp knife
pumpkin pasties on a cutting board

How do you store leftover pumpkin pasties?

This is the perfect recipe to make a double batch or to make ahead of time and simply pop them in the oven when you are ready to serve.

Follow the steps below and let them cool completely before you store them in the freezer.

If you want to make sure they remain separated you can wrap each pastry in saran wrap and add to a large freezer bag or air tight container.

When you are ready to eat, warm the oven to 350 degrees and warm them for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.

If they are frozen they may need more time in the oven to cook. 

Pumpkin Pasties Recipe

mini pumpkin hand pies

Pumpkin Pasties Recipe

Liz Quick
Pumpkin spiced desserts are one of the many reasons to love the fall and this pumpkin pasty treat is perfect for fall. It has a subtle sweetness that is perfect for dessert or even afternoon tea time!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 10 pasties
Calories 100 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 3 inch biscuit cutter
  • 1 baking sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 9-inch refrigerated pie crust
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the pie crust into 3 inch diameter circles. You may cut them bigger, but you won’t have as many pasties.
  • Mix your filling ingredients and add 1 teaspoon of the filling to the middle of the circle. 
  • Using your finger and some water, moisten the outside of the circle. Fold your pie shell to form a half moon and press the edges to seal the pasty. 
  • Crimp the edges shut with a fork.
  • Cut a tiny slit (or two) in the top with a sharp knife to allow air to come out while baking.
  • Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Cool and enjoy.

Notes

Ways to cut out flaky pie crust circles the perfect size

  • Wide mouth mason jar lid
  • Pastry cutter
  • Biscuit cutter
  • A glass- Flip a glass over and cut the dough with the mouth of the glass
  • Small sharp knife- You can easily cut out circles with a sharp knife
Keyword hand pies, pumpkin pasties

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