Have you heard‽ Hand pies are the new cupcakes! Pack one of these easy-to-make Tuna Hand Pies in your lunch for a great change-of-pace.

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Like many moms, I think hard about what to send off to school with my kids in their lunches each day. The contents of that little tan sack have to be healthy, provide a solid source of protein and energy, and taste good enough to eat instead of getting traded off for something more appealing.

What!?! My little darling would trade away the PBJ and cheese stick lunch I’ve made her every day for the last three years? 

Yep – in a heartbeat.

I’m a working mom (aren’t we all, really?), so anything I prepare needs to be quick, easy to make and economical.  It should come as no surprise that I’m always trying out new ideas for sack lunches.

This year, I’m all about hand pies. (“Haven’t you heard? Hand-pies are the new cupcakes.”) Or turnovers.  Or pocket pies. Or whatever you want to call them. In any case, they are little pockets of savory or sweet deliciousness baked in a folded pastry pocket.

I love making hand pies for so many reasons – they are fast, easy to make, just the right size, portable, and you can make them way ahead and freeze them. I even bought a nifty little pocket pie maker that cuts and seals them perfectly. (If you don’t have a hand-pie maker, just cut a 6″ or 7″ circle and fold it over. Easy-peasy.)

5 from 4 votes

Tuna Hand Pies

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Lunch

Keyword: hand pie

Servings: 4 pocket pies

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

• Pocket Pie Crimper

Ingredients

Filling:

• 4 ounces Neufchâtel or light cream cheese softened
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or ½ teaspoon dried dill
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish optional
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 5-6 ounces albacore tuna

Pastry (enough for 9” pie)

• ½ batch of Herbed Pie Crust OR omit the sage and thyme and substitute in a little dill and lemon zest! OR
• Your favorite pie crust recipe OR
• Store-bought refrigerated pie crust like Pillsbury

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• With a fork, mix together cream cheese, onion, walnuts, red pepper, dill, relish and lemon zest.
• Stir in tuna.
• Roll out dough and cut into 6” circles. Put a generous quarter cup of filling in the center of each circle.
• Wet edges of pastry, fold edges together and press to seal. (if you wish to freeze pies for later, this is the place to stop. When you are ready to make them, just defrost and bake as directed.)
  
• If you want, you can brush each pocket pie with egg white. Pierce the top of each pocket pie to allow steam to escape.
• Bake in 350° oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Notes

*Mr. B likes this recipe prepared with the pickle relish: I prefer a little chopped apple instead.

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

TIP: When I make tuna hand pies, I prefer using tuna that comes in pouches over that in cans. There is no draining involved, clean-up is a snap, and there is less packaging and waste so I feel as though I’m being more environmentally responsible.

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What will you be packing in your lunch this week? Please take a moment to share in the comments below!