These Air Fryer Mini Taco Hand Pies are easy to make and the perfect appetizer or meal for any occasion. They are kid-approved and can be served with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or dipping sauce!
Jump to:
- Why I Love These Air Fryer Mini Hand Pies
- Ingredients Needed to Make Mini Taco Pasties
- How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
- How to Make Taco Hand Pies
- Can You Make Larger Hand Pies?
- Can I Make These in The Oven?
- Which Air Fryer I Use For This Recipe
- Expert Tips for Making Air Fryer Taco Hand Pies
- Recipe FAQs
- Air Fryer Mini Taco Hand Pies
Why I Love These Air Fryer Mini Hand Pies
I love these Air Fryer Taco Hand Pies (a.k.a. taco turnovers or taco pasties) because they are easy to make, are surrounded by flaky buttery pie crust, and are full of taco meat which is one of my go-to ingredients for any weeknight meal just like my Air Fryer Taquitos and my Doritos Locos Tacos Copycat Recipe.
I also love this recipe because it can be served with different dipping sauces for even more flavor combinations like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole. Lastly, these mini tacos are kid-tested and approved, just like my Easy Taco Dumplings and my Taco Pizza, so that's an immediate winner in my book.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mini Taco Pasties
You really only need a few ingredients to make these taco pasties: taco seasoning, ground beef, egg wash, and pie crust. You can choose to make the Easy All-Butter Pie Crust and taco seasoning yourself, or use store-bought.
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade taco seasoning is easier to make than you think and you probably have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your spice cabinet already. Here is what you will need: paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, onion powder, chili powder, oregano leaves, kosher salt, ground beef, and cornstarch.
Place all of the ingredients into a small bowl and stir to combine. You can also make a large batch and store the extra for future recipes in an airtight container.
How to Make Taco Hand Pies
Step 1: If you are using store-bought seasoning, follow the instructions on the package. Otherwise, brown the ground beef, drain the fat, and then return it to the heat. Add the seasonings and water and cook for 3–4 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the meat to rest.
Step 2: Roll out the pie crust dough on a floured surface to about ⅛" thick. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out as many 4-5" dough rounds as possible. If needed, take the scraps and form a new ball. Roll out the dough one more time and cut out more rounds until you have 8-10 total.
Step 3: Beat the egg in a small bowl for the egg wash and brush the egg wash on the top of the turnovers and along the edges.
Step 4: Spoon about a tablespoon of taco meat in the middle of the dough round and then fold it in half.
Step 5: Use a fork to crimp the edges closed. Use a sharp knife to make 3 cuts on the top of the turnovers.
Step 6: Preheat the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, add the hand pies, and air fry for 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Can You Make Larger Hand Pies?
Yes, you can make a larger version of these taco turnovers. Of course, you will need to adjust the air fry time to compensate for the larger size.
Can I Make These in The Oven?
You can make these in the oven instead of the air fryer. On a baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment, bake the hand pies at 425°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Which Air Fryer I Use For This Recipe
I use a COSORI Air Fryer. It is perfect for larger families and longer air frying times. If this air fryer is too big for you, check out the COSORI Small Air Fryer or an air fryer attachment for the top of the Instant Pot.
Expert Tips for Making Air Fryer Taco Hand Pies
- If you want the brownest and flakiest hand pies, place them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cooking. This step is optional, but it does make a difference.
- Use a sharp knife, like a paring knife, to make the cuts on the top of the hand pies.
- Don't forget to spray your air fryer basket so the hand pies don't stick!
- If you have leftovers, store them in a covered container in the fridge. To reheat, use your air fryer for the best results.
Recipe FAQs
You can use either pre-made pie dough or make it from scratch, depending on your preference and time availability. Pre-made pie dough from the store works well and saves time, while homemade dough allows you to customize the flavor.
To prevent sticking, lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or use parchment paper to line the basket before placing the hand pies inside.
You can use ground chicken, turkey, or even plant-based ground meat substitutes if you prefer. Just make sure to season the filling to your liking.
Yes, you can assemble the hand pies and freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable bag for storage. When ready to cook, you can air fry them directly from frozen, but you will need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, you can reheat leftover hand pies in the air fryer at a lower temperature (around 325°F or 160°C) for a few minutes until they are warmed through.
If you get a chance to make these Air Fryer Mini Taco Hand Pies, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Air Fryer Mini Taco Hand Pies
Equipment
- small bowl for eggwash
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning (or you can use store-bought)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Taco Mini Pies
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup water
- 1 all butter pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 large egg (for the egg wash)
Instructions
- If you are making homemade taco seasoning, add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine. If you are using store-bought seasoning, follow the instructions on the package.
- Cook the ground beef in a pan until brown and cooked through. Carefully pour out the fat and place the pan back on the stove. Add the taco seasoning and water and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the taco meat to continue to season while you make the pie crust rounds.
- Roll out the pie dough on a floured surface to about ⅛" thick. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out as many 4-5" dough rounds as possible. If needed, take the scraps and form a new ball. Roll out the dough one more time and cut out more rounds until you have 8-10 total.
- Brush the edges of the rounds with egg wash. Spoon about a tablespoon of taco meat in the middle of the dough round and then fold it in half. Use a fork to crimp the edges closed. Use a sharp knife to make 3 cuts on the top of the turnovers.
- Beat the egg in a small bowl for the egg wash and brush the egg wash on the top of the turnovers and along the edges.
- Preheat the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place 5-6 turnovers in the basket (make sure there is room around each one for the hot air to circulate) and air fry for 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Use tongs to remove the pastries and place them on a wire rack or plate to cool. Repeat with remaining pies.
- Once cool, serve with your favorite dipping sauces like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want the brownest and flakiest hand pies, place them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cooking. This step is optional but does make a difference.
- Use a sharp knife like a paring knife to make the cuts on the top of the hand pies.
- Don't forget to spray your air fryer basket so the hand pies don't stick!
- If you have leftovers, store them in a covered container in the fridge. To reheat, use your air fryer for the best results.
- You can make these in the oven instead of the air fryer. On a baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment, bake the hand pies at 425°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remember to always read the instruction manual and follow what your manufacturer recommends.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Rosanna says
These were so delicious! Loved the spices and we had them drizzled with sour cream. Already want them again!
Emily says
Yum! Thanks, Rosanna😊
Camilla says
They look great! I love Mexican flavours and just purchase an air fryer so I will defiantly give them ago. Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
Thanks, Camilla! This is a great recipe to break in that new air fryer, enjoy!