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Ghost Taco Hand Pies Recipe

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4.5 from 685 reviews

These Ghost Taco Hand Pies are a fun and festive twist on classic tacos, featuring a savory ground beef filling seasoned with taco spices and encased in flaky pie crust shaped like spooky ghosts. Perfect for Halloween parties or a creative dinner, these hand pies are baked to golden perfection and served with salsa for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Taco Filling

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
  • 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrot (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper or baby spinach (optional)

Pie Crust & Assembly

  • 2 pie crusts (defrosted but unbaked)
  • 1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 egg (for brushing)
  • Salsa (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the taco filling: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey/chicken with a drizzle of olive oil) and break it into crumbles. Stir in taco seasoning and optional shredded carrot or chopped bell pepper/spinach. Cook for 5-6 minutes until meat is browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
  3. Cut out ghost shapes from pie crust: Roll out pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutters to cut out an even number of shapes, so each pie has a top and bottom. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut until all dough is used.
  4. Assemble hand pies: Place half of the ghost shapes spaced out on the work surface. Spoon a small amount of taco filling onto the center of each ghost shape, then sprinkle a bit of shredded cheese on top.
  5. Create ghost faces and seal pies: Using a small round cutter (like a marker lid), cut eye and mouth shapes from the remaining ghost cutouts. Place these cutouts over the filled ghosts. Use a fork to gently press and seal the edges all around.
  6. Apply egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water or milk. Brush this egg wash over the tops of the hand pies to help them brown beautifully while baking.
  7. Bake: Transfer the baking sheets to the oven and bake for 10-14 minutes or until the hand pies are golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Serve: Let the hand pies cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm with salsa or guacamole for dipping.

Notes

  • Optional veggies like shredded carrot or chopped bell peppers add color and nutrition but can be omitted if preferred.
  • Use a small round cutter to create fun ghost faces; common household items like the lid of a marker work well.
  • Ensure all edges are sealed well to prevent filling leakage during baking.
  • These hand pies can be made with ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef.
  • Serve immediately for best texture, though leftovers can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.

Keywords: Ghost Taco Hand Pies, Halloween snack, taco hand pies, baked hand pies, savory hand pies, ground beef tacos, festive snacks

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/ghost-taco-hand-pies-recipe/