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Vegan Spinach Onion Hand Pies with Flaky Crust

These vegan spinach onion hand pies are a delightful homage to the past, featuring a flaky crust and a savory filling. Perfect for a cozy meal or a snack on the go, they are packed with flavor and nostalgia.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup coconut oil or vegan butter, solid (not melted)
  • 68 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast (optional for a cheesy flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional for added flavor)
  • Non-dairy milk (for brushing the crust)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar. Stir well and then add the solid coconut oil or vegan butter in pieces. Process with a fork or your hands until crumbly, about 5 minutes.
  2. Slowly add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together. Be careful not to use too much water; the dough should be moist but not sticky, which takes about 5 minutes.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  6. Add the chopped fresh spinach (or drained frozen spinach) and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, lemon juice, and optional nutritional yeast and fresh herbs. Mix well and remove from heat. Let the mixture cool.
  8. Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into equal circles, about 10 cm in diameter.
  9. Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each dough circle. Brush the edges with a little plant-based milk, then fold the dough circles over and press the edges with a fork to seal.
  10. Place the filled hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush the tops with more plant-based milk.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and flaky. Be careful not to let them get too dark.

Nutrition

Keywords: Avoid overworking the dough to keep the crust flaky. Using cold ingredients, especially the plant-based butter, helps improve the flakiness. You can also experiment with different fillings and spices to suit your taste.