Cheeseburger Hand Pies
All the flavors of a classic cheeseburger tucked inside a golden, flaky pastry pocket. These handheld cheeseburger pies are filled with juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, caramelized onion, and tangy ketchup and mustard. They’re easy to grab, easy to eat, and perfect for lunch, game day, parties, or a fun family dinner.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 hand pies
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
Ingredients
Cheeseburger Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Pastry
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts, or homemade pastry dough
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- Sesame seeds, optional
Optional Add-Ins
- Diced pickles
- Cooked bacon
- Finely diced jalapeños
- Shredded Monterey Jack
- American cheese
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Set aside.
2. Cook the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is tender.
3. Add the Seasonings
Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add the Burger Sauces
Stir in the ketchup and yellow mustard.
Mix until the beef is evenly coated.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
5. Add the Cheese
Allow the beef mixture to cool for a few minutes.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
The residual heat will begin melting the cheese without making the filling overly wet.
Let the filling cool until it’s warm rather than hot before assembling the pastries.
Assemble the Hand Pies
6. Roll Out the Pastry
Lightly flour your work surface.
Roll out the pie dough until it’s approximately ⅛-inch thick.
Using a round cutter or small bowl approximately 5–6 inches wide, cut out circles of dough.
Gather and reroll the scraps as needed.
7. Fill the Pastry
Place approximately 2–3 tablespoons of cheeseburger filling in the center of each dough circle.
Don’t overfill—the pastry needs enough room to seal properly.
8. Seal the Pies
Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
Press the edges together firmly with your fingers.
Then use a fork to crimp the edges all the way around.
9. Vent the Pastry
Place the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet.
Use a sharp knife to cut 1–2 small slits in the top of each pie.
These vents allow steam to escape while baking.
10. Make the Egg Wash
Whisk together the egg and water.
Brush a thin layer of egg wash over each hand pie.
For an extra classic burger look, sprinkle the tops with sesame seeds.
11. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is deeply golden brown and crisp.
If your pies are browning too quickly, reduce the oven temperature slightly.
12. Cool and Serve
Remove the hand pies from the oven and allow them to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
The filling will be extremely hot immediately after baking.
Serve warm.
Chef’s Tips
Cool the Filling First
Hot filling can soften the pastry and make the hand pies difficult to seal.
Don’t Overfill
It can be tempting to pack in as much cheeseburger filling as possible, but overfilling can cause the pastry to burst.
Seal Thoroughly
Press the edges firmly before crimping with a fork to prevent melted cheese from escaping.
Use Cold Pastry
Cold pastry is easier to work with and produces a flakier crust.
Vent the Tops
Small vents prevent steam from building up inside the pies.
Make Them Extra Cheesy
For an even more classic cheeseburger experience, place a small square of American cheese or cheddar on top of the beef mixture before sealing each pie.
The cheese melts beautifully inside the pastry.
Flavor Variations
Bacon Cheeseburger
Add ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon to the filling.
Mushroom Swiss
Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onion and replace cheddar with Swiss cheese.
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger
Replace the ketchup and mustard with barbecue sauce and add crispy bacon.
Jalapeño Cheeseburger
Add finely diced jalapeños and use pepper Jack cheese.
Classic Diner Burger
Add finely chopped dill pickles to the filling and serve with extra ketchup and mustard.
Dipping Sauces
These hand pies are even better with a dipping sauce.
Try:
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Burger sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Barbecue sauce
- Spicy mayo
- Pickle sauce
Make-Ahead Instructions
Assemble the unbaked hand pies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Brush with egg wash just before baking.
You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
Storage
Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator: Up to 3–4 days.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer until heated through and crisp.
Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pastry soft.
Freezing Instructions
These hand pies freeze very well.
Assemble them but don’t brush with egg wash.
Freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Bake directly from frozen, adding approximately 8–12 minutes to the baking time.
Brush with egg wash before baking.
Recipe Summary
These Cheeseburger Hand Pies take everything you love about a classic cheeseburger and wrap it in buttery, flaky pastry.
Seasoned beef, tangy burger sauce, and melted cheddar are sealed inside golden pastry for an easy handheld meal that’s perfect for busy nights, parties, lunch boxes, or game-day snacking.
No bun. No fork. Just melty, cheesy cheeseburger goodness you can grab and go.