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Ghost Taco Hand Pies Recipe

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4.5 from 85 reviews

Ghost Taco Hand Pies are a fun and festive twist on classic tacos, perfect for parties or Halloween celebrations. These mini hand pies feature a flavorful taco filling wrapped in a flaky pie crust shaped like ghosts, baked to golden perfection and served with salsa or guacamole for dipping.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Filling

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, 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

  • 2 pie crusts, defrosted but unbaked

Topping

  • 1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 egg, for brushing

To Serve

  • Salsa or guacamole for dipping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Taco Filling: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. If using ground turkey or chicken, first warm a drizzle of olive oil in the skillet. Add taco seasoning and optional shredded carrot or chopped bell pepper/spinach. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
  3. Cut Pie Crusts: Roll out the defrosted pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutters to cut out an even number of ghost shapes – one top and one bottom for each pie. Gather and re-roll scraps as needed to use all the dough.
  4. Assemble Hand Pies: Place half of the ghost shapes on your work surface. Spoon a small amount of taco filling onto the center of each ghost shape, then sprinkle a little shredded Mexican cheese over the filling.
  5. Create Faces and Seal: Using a small round cutter or similar tool, cut out eyes and mouth shapes from the remaining ghost cutouts. Place these cutouts over the filled ghosts. Use the tines of a fork to gently press and seal the edges of each mini pie.
  6. Brush with Egg Wash: Mix the egg with a splash of water or milk to make an egg wash. Brush this over the tops of the hand pies to achieve a glossy, golden finish when baked.
  7. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-14 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the crust is cooked through.
  8. Serve: Allow the hand pies to cool for a minute or two before serving. Serve warm with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Enjoy your festive Ghost Taco Hand Pies!

Notes

  • Optional vegetables like shredded carrot or bell pepper can add extra flavor and nutrition to the filling.
  • You can substitute ground beef with turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Be sure to seal edges well to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
  • Use pizza cutters or pastry wheels if you don’t have ghost-shaped cutters to create fun shapes for the pies.
  • Serve these hand pies warm for the best taste and texture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.