pasty vs hand pie

Pasty vs hand pie? This classic debate has been going on for generations, and there is probably no right answer. But this blog post will give you the skinny on what it is and how to make both of them!

Pasty: A Cornish dish that’s part pie, part pastry. It’s a savory dish made up of a filling (usually beef and onion) covered with a thick layer of pie crust and baked until the crust is golden brown and crispy. Cornish pasties are traditionally cut into four pieces, rather than six like most pies.

Hand Pie: These little hand-sized pies can be filled with anything from pot roast to fruit to vegetables. They’re kind of like handheld turnovers—they’re not usually baked in an oven, but rather cooked by either popping them into the microwave or frying them in oil.

What is a pasty?

A pasty is a savory dish made up of a filling (usually beef and onion) covered with a thick layer of pie crust and baked until the crust is golden brown and crispy. Cornish pasties are traditionally cut into four pieces, rather than six like most pies.

Pasty dough is typically rolled out into a circle, then folded over the filling before crimping the edges together to seal in the filling. The crust can be either shortcrust or puff pastry dough.

Pasties are usually served warm after being baked in an oven, but they can also be eaten cold if they’re made in advance.

What is a hand pie?

Hand pies are one of those things that can be either savory or sweet. They’re sort of like a little savory turnover, made up of a crust and a filling. If you’ve never had one before, it’s worth giving them a try!

The debate

The debate between pasty and hand pie rages on. Is a pasty just a pot pie that’s been cut into four pieces? Is a hand pie just a pot pie made with a top crust?

Nowadays, the two terms are used interchangeably, but historically they were different. A pasty was originally a Cornish dish made from meat and veggies wrapped tightly in dough, boiled or steamed, then baked until the crust became golden-brown and crispy. Hand pies were traditionally filled with venison or other game animals before being cooked by frying or baking. They didn’t have top crusts like pasties usually do.

So what does this mean for you? It means you can make both! And if you want to go traditional, here’s how to make those too:

Conclusion

Pasty: A traditional Cornish food which is a type of pie, made with a thick crust and filled with meat and vegetables.

Hand pie: A small pie with a fruit, vegetable, or meat filling, traditionally hand-sized and made with a pastry crust.