Ah, Halloween! The season of crisp air, glowing pumpkins, and cozy baking days. One of my favorite memories is spending autumn afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, cutting out little pastry pumpkins and filling them with savory goodness.
This year, I’m recreating that nostalgia with these Pesto and Spinach Halloween Hand Pies — flaky, golden pastries filled with creamy ricotta, rich cream cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, and a touch of spinach. They’re festive, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make — even if you’re new to baking!
💚 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy for Beginners: No complex steps — just mix, cut, and bake.
- Full of Flavor: Creamy, cheesy filling with pesto’s bold tang.
- Perfect for Parties: Great make-ahead treat for Halloween gatherings.
- Customizable: Change fillings, shapes, or cheeses to suit your taste.
🧀 Ingredients
For the Hand Pies:
- 50g baby spinach
- 100g ricotta cheese
- 100g full-fat cream cheese
- 100g sun-dried tomato pesto
- 2 × 320g sheets ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
- 1 free-range egg, beaten (for glazing and sealing)
- Plain flour, for dusting
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional Add-Ons:
- Swap ricotta for feta or goat cheese
- Add basil, oregano, or garlic powder for extra flavor
- Include chopped olives or bell peppers for a colorful twist
🥧 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 220°C (200°C fan) / Gas Mark 7. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Wilt the Spinach
Place spinach in a bowl and pour over boiling water. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water.
3. Make the Filling
In a bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, cream cheese, and pesto. Mix until creamy and season with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare the Pastry
Unroll the pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into pumpkin shapes using a knife or cutter. On half of the pieces, cut out small “jack-o’-lantern” faces.
5. Fill and Seal
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each plain pumpkin shape, leaving a 1 cm border. Brush edges with beaten egg and top with a cut-out pumpkin face. Press edges together gently with a fork.
6. Bake
Arrange the pies on prepared trays, brush tops with egg wash, and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
7. Cool and Serve
Allow to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving — this helps the filling set perfectly.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling: Too much filling causes leaks — stick to 2 tablespoons.
- Loose Edges: Seal well with egg and fork crimps to avoid oozing.
- Skipping Cool Time: Cooling helps the pies firm up and prevents burns.
🎃 Serving Suggestions
- With a Dip: Serve with marinara or garlic aioli for extra flavor.
- As a Meal: Pair with an arugula and tomato salad with feta.
- Snack Board: Arrange with Halloween snacks like cheese cubes, olives, and fruit.
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Change the Shape: Use bat or ghost cookie cutters for variety!
- Batch & Freeze: Make extra pies, freeze unbaked, and bake straight from frozen (add 5–7 minutes).
- Use Leftovers Creatively: Any extra filling can be stuffed into bell peppers or stirred into pasta.
📋 Recipe Card
Pesto and Spinach Halloween Hand Pies
Prep Time: 20 min · Cook Time: 25 min · Total: 45 min
Makes: About 12 pies · Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
Spinach, ricotta, cream cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, shortcrust pastry, egg, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 220°C. Line trays with parchment.
- Wilt and drain spinach.
- Mix spinach, cheeses, pesto, salt, and pepper.
- Cut pastry into pumpkin shapes and fill.
- Seal with egg, top with jack-o’-lantern faces.
- Bake 20–25 min until golden.
- Cool and serve warm.
Storage:
Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze unbaked for up to 2 months.
Per Serving: ≈ 220 kcal
🕸️ Conclusion
These Pesto and Spinach Halloween Hand Pies bring comfort, flavor, and festive fun to your table. Whether you’re baking with kids or hosting a Halloween party, they’re guaranteed to impress — crispy on the outside, creamy inside, and full of spooky charm.
If you make them, don’t forget to share your creations! Tag @SarahMendezBakes or pin this recipe on Pinterest to spread the Halloween cheer.
Happy baking, and have a deliciously spooky Halloween! 🎃✨
