Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making my own?

Absolutely! While homemade crust provides the best flavor and texture, refrigerated pie crust works in a pinch. You'll lose some of the flakiness, but the convenience factor is undeniable. Just be sure to follow the same assembly and baking instructions.

Why did my hand pies leak during baking?

Leakage usually happens for two reasons: overfilling or poor sealing. Try reducing the amount of filling slightly and make sure to firmly press the edges together with a fork. Chilling the assembled pies before baking also helps prevent leaks by firming up the dough.

Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! You can assemble the hand pies and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze them unbaked for longer storage. This makes them perfect for entertaining since you can do all the prep work in advance and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive.

How do I know when the hand pies are done baking?

Look for a deep golden color on the crust and make sure the bottom is also golden (not pale). If you notice the tops browning too quickly but the bottoms aren't done, move the tray to a lower rack and continue baking. The filling should be bubbling through the steam vents when fully cooked.

Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe

Name: Supreme Pizza Hand Pies Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 37 min
Total time: 1 h 12 min
Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients: 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; 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; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; Italian seasoning, for topping; Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling; Egg wash

These Supreme Pizza Hand Pies are the ultimate portable comfort food! Imagine your favorite loaded supreme pizza tucked inside buttery, flaky pastry pockets that you can eat with your hands. They’re packed with savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, and gooey cheese, all wrapped in a homemade crust that will make your kitchen smell like heaven. Perfect for busy weeknights, lunch boxes, or as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Portable Pizza Perfection: All the flavors of your favorite supreme pizza in a convenient hand-held format – no plates or utensils required!
Make-Ahead Marvel: These can be prepped ahead and frozen, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner in a hurry.
Customizable Creation: The filling can be tweaked to include everyone’s favorite pizza toppings, making them a hit with the whole family.
Impressive Yet Approachable: These hand pies look like you spent hours in the kitchen, but the process is surprisingly straightforward.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Hand Pie Crust:

All-purpose flour: Creates the structure for our flaky crust – the foundation of any good hand pie.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the crust.
Unsalted butter: Must be cold! Those chunks of butter create steam pockets while baking, giving us those beautiful layers.
Apple cider vinegar: The secret weapon for a tender crust – it inhibits gluten formation.
Ice water: Keeps everything cold, which is crucial for flaky pastry.

For the Supreme Pizza Filling:

Olive oil: Just a touch to start cooking our filling ingredients.
Italian sausage: Brings incredible flavor and that classic pizza taste. Remove the casing for best texture.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when cooked down.
Green bell pepper: Gives that classic supreme pizza flavor and a nice pop of color.
Garlic: Because what’s pizza without garlic? Fresh is best here.
Pizza sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade for the best flavor.
Pepperoni: Small diced pieces distribute the flavor throughout each bite.
Italian seasoning: Brings that signature pizza herb flavor.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlic flavor that fresh garlic alone can’t provide.
Mozzarella cheese: The stretchy, melty goodness that makes these hand pies irresistible.
Parmesan cheese: For sprinkling on top of the crust for that authentic pizzeria touch.
Egg wash: Creates that beautiful golden crust.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Veggie Lover’s Option: Skip the meat and load up on mushrooms, olives, artichoke hearts, and extra bell peppers.
Meat Lover’s Version: Add crumbled bacon, ham, and more pepperoni to the filling.
BBQ Chicken: Swap the pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and use shredded chicken instead of sausage.
Breakfast Pies: Fill with scrambled eggs, cheese, and breakfast sausage for a morning treat.
Dessert Twist: Skip the savory filling altogether and stuff with Nutella and banana or apple pie filling for sweet hand pies.

How to Make Supreme Pizza Hand Pies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a food processor, pulse flour and salt, then add cold butter pieces and pulse until crumbly. Gradually add vinegar-water mixture until dough holds together when squeezed. Divide, form into discs, roll between plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight for best results.

Step 2: Make the Supreme Pizza Filling

Brown Italian sausage in olive oil, then add onions, peppers, and garlic until softened. Stir in pizza sauce, pepperoni, and seasonings. Let cool completely before mixing in mozzarella cheese – this prevents the cheese from melting prematurely and making the dough soggy.

Step 3: Assemble the Hand Pies

Roll chilled dough to 1/8″ thickness and cut into 3×4-inch rectangles. Place filling in the center of half the rectangles, top with remaining rectangles, and seal edges with a fork. Trim edges for a clean look and better seal. Chill assembled pies for at least 30 minutes, then cut steam vents in the tops.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, rotating trays halfway through, until deeply golden. Let cool slightly before serving – the filling will be molten hot!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Everything Cold: Cold butter = flaky crust. If your kitchen is warm or you’re working slowly, periodically return the dough to the refrigerator.
Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack in the filling, but 3 tablespoons is the sweet spot – too much will cause leakage.
Proper Sealing: Press edges firmly and use the tines of a fork to ensure a good seal. The bench scraper trick works wonders!
Taste Before Salting: Between the cheese, pepperoni, and sausage, your filling might already have enough salt. Always taste first!
Rest Before Rolling: Let refrigerated dough sit for 5-10 minutes before rolling – it prevents cracking while still keeping the butter cold.

How to Serve

These hand pies are wonderful on their own, but here are some serving ideas to elevate your meal:

Dipping Options:

Serve with warm pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for dipping.

Side Dishes:

Pair with a simple green salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette for a complete meal.

Entertaining:

Cut into smaller portions before baking for a party appetizer that will disappear in minutes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store baked hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They taste fantastic cold, but reheating makes them even better!

Freezing

These freeze beautifully both before or after baking. Place unbaked pies on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Baked pies can be wrapped individually and frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated pies in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Frozen baked pies can go straight into a 375°F oven for about 20 minutes. For unbaked frozen pies, add about 5-10 minutes to the original baking time.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making my own?

Absolutely! While homemade crust provides the best flavor and texture, refrigerated pie crust works in a pinch. You’ll lose some of the flakiness, but the convenience factor is undeniable. Just be sure to follow the same assembly and baking instructions.
Why did my hand pies leak during baking?

Leakage usually happens for two reasons: overfilling or poor sealing. Try reducing the amount of filling slightly and make sure to firmly press the edges together with a fork. Chilling the assembled pies before baking also helps prevent leaks by firming up the dough.
Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! You can assemble the hand pies and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze them unbaked for longer storage. This makes them perfect for entertaining since you can do all the prep work in advance and just pop them in the oven when guests arrive.
How do I know when the hand pies are done baking?

Look for a deep golden color on the crust and make sure the bottom is also golden (not pale). If you notice the tops browning too quickly but the bottoms aren’t done, move the tray to a lower rack and continue baking. The filling should be bubbling through the steam vents when fully cooked.

Final Thoughts

These Supreme Pizza Hand Pies combine two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible package. There’s something magical about breaking through that flaky, golden crust to discover the savory pizza filling inside. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal prepping for the week ahead, or looking for a crowd-pleasing party dish, these hand pies deliver satisfaction in every bite. The best part? You can customize them endlessly to suit your taste. So roll up your sleeves, get your dough chilling, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite way to enjoy pizza!