Fried pies are a delicious treat that can be found around the world under many different names. They are essentially a pastry dough that is filled with fruit, meat, vegetables, or other sweet or savory fillings, then folded over into a half-moon or rectangle shape and fried until golden brown and crispy.
Other Common Names for Fried Pies
While the name “fried pie” is commonly used in the United States, especially in the South, there are many other colloquial names used for this tasty snack in different regions and cultures:
- Hand pie
- Fruit pocket
- Panzerotti
- Empanada
- Pasties or pasties
- Pirozhki
- Jamaican patty
- Hot pocket
- Turnover
- Calzone
- Karipap
- Samosa
While they go by different names, these fried pies all share the same basic concept of a filling sealed inside a fried pastry crust. Let’s explore some of these fried pie varieties in more detail:
Hand Pies
A hand pie is a single-serving, hand-held fried pie. It can be savory or sweet depending on the filling. Hand pies are easy to eat on-the-go, which makes them a popular snack and picnic food.
Popular Hand Pie Fillings
- Fruit – apples, cherries, berries
- Meat – ground beef, pulled pork
- Vegetables – mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese
- Cheese
- Chocolate
Fruit Pockets
As the name implies, a fruit pocket fried pie contains a sweet fruit filling. Any variety of fruits can be used, both fresh and preserved. Popular fruits for fried fruit pockets include:
- Apples
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Berries – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
- Pineapple
- Raisins
- Dried fruit – apricots, cranberries
The fruit filling may be enhanced with sugar, spices, extracts, or other flavorings. Fruit pockets make a tasty portable dessert.
Panzerotti
In Italian cuisine, panzerotti are a version of fried pie made with pizza-like dough. They are stuffed with pizza toppings like cheese, tomato sauce, vegetables, and meats, then deep fried. Panzerotti are a popular street food in Italy.
Common Panzerotti Fillings
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Spinach
- Olives
Empanadas
Empanadas are the fried pie version enjoyed in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. They have a savory filling sealed inside a bread dough crust. Empanada dough often contains corn flour or wheat flour, giving it a unique texture.
Typical Empanada Fillings
- Ground beef
- Shredded chicken
- Cheese
- Corn
- Black beans
- Spinach
- Onions
Empanadas make an excellent hot appetizer and can be served with salsa or chimichurri sauce for dipping.
Pasties
Pasties are a variety of fried pie with origins in Cornwall, England. They were originally made for tin miners to eat for lunch, as the crust could be held without getting dirty fingers. Pasties are traditionally filled with beef, potatoes, rutabaga, and onions.
Pasties are commonly associated with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which was settled by many Cornish immigrants. Upper Peninsula pasties feature the classic fillings but often add extra seasonings like summer savory.
Pirozhki
In Russian and other Eastern European cuisines, pirozhki are small stuffed fried buns. They are made from yeasted dough with a variety of fillings. Savory pirozhki often contain meat or vegetables, while sweet ones feature fruit.
Common Pirozhki Fillings
- Ground meat
- Mashed potatoes
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Cheese
- Apples
- Cherries
- Cottage cheese
- Poppy seeds
Jamaican Patties
On the island of Jamaica, patties are a popular hand-held meat pie. Jamaican patties have a golden, turmeric-hued fried crust wrapped around fillings based on seasonings like curry powder, garlic, scallions, and thyme.
Common Jamaican Patty Fillings
- Ground beef
- Shredded chicken
- Callaloo and spinach
- Shrimp
- Soy chunks
- Cheese
For a touch of sweetness, Jamaican patties often contain raisins in the filling. Spicy chopped scotch bonnet peppers can also be added to up the heat.
Hot Pockets
Hot Pockets are a brand name of handheld frozen fried pies commonly found in grocery stores in the U.S. They have a bread dough crust wrapped around pizza-inspired fillings like pepperoni, cheese, and sauce. Hot Pockets make a quick and easy meal to heat up in the microwave.
Popular Hot Pocket Fillings
- Pepperoni pizza
- Ham and cheese
- Meatballs and mozzarella
- Chicken broccoli and cheese
- Philly steak and cheese
Turnovers
A turnover is a semicircle or triangle shaped fried pie, similar to a hand pie. Turnovers can be either sweet or savory. Some popular savory fillings include meat, vegetables, or cheese mixtures, while sweet turnovers may contain fruit, custard, or chocolate.
Common Turnover Fillings
- Apple
- Cherry
- Blueberry
- Pumpkin
- Pork sausage
- Ground beef
- Broccoli and cheddar
- Chicken pot pie
Calzones
In Italian cuisine, calzones are a fried or baked turnover stuffed with pizza fillings. Typical calzone fillings include ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and Italian meats or vegetables.
To make a calzone, the dough is stretched into a flattened circle. Filling is added to one half of the dough, then the other half is folded over top and crimped shut to seal. Calzones can be served either fried or fresh out of the oven.
Popular Calzone Fillings
- Ham
- Pepperoni
- Salami
- Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
Karipap
Karipap are a popular Malaysian fried snack, also known as curry puffs. They consist of a fried pastry shell filled with curried meat or vegetables. Karipap have a distinctly Malaysian flavor profile featuring spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
Common Karipap Fillings
- Curried potato and onion
- Curried chicken
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Egg
Karipap make an excellent appetizer or breakfast accompanied by Malaysian coffee or tea.
Samosas
Samosas are a popular fried pie in Indian cuisine as well as nearby regions like Central Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. They consist of a triangular pastry shell stuffed with spiced meat or vegetable fillings.
Traditional samosa dough uses ghee or oil to create its flaky layers. Samosas are served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish in Indian meals.
Typical Samosa Fillings
- Spiced potatoes
- Lentils
- Ground lamb
- Ground chicken
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Green peas
Conclusion
Whether you call them fried pies, hand pies, turnovers, empanadas, or any other name, these portable pastries all have global appeal. Though the shape and size may vary, a crispy fried crust enveloping a sweet or savory filling is a winning combination.
Fried pies have the advantage of being suitable for meals, snacks, or desserts. Their neatly contained filling makes them perfect for eating by hand. When frying up a batch of these tasty morsels, be creative with the filling options to satisfy all tastes and dietary needs.
So next time you get a craving for one of these delicacies, explore some of the many culinary traditions that have put their unique spin on the concept of sealing yummy fillings inside golden fried dough. A whole world of flavorful fried pies awaits!