Introduction

Ghost Taco Hand Pies are a fun and delicious twist on classic tacos, perfect for a spooky snack or festive party treat. These handheld pies are filled with seasoned meat and cheese, wrapped in flaky pie crusts shaped like ghosts. They’re easy to make and sure to impress both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey, or chicken)
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
1/4 cup shredded carrot (optional)
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper or baby spinach (optional)
2 pie crusts (defrosted but unbaked)
1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
1 egg (for brushing)
Salsa (for dipping)

Instructions

Step 1: To make the taco filling, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart into crumbles. If using ground turkey or chicken, warm a drizzle of olive oil in the skillet before adding the meat. Stir in taco seasoning and shredded carrot or bell pepper if using. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the meat is fully browned, breaking it into small pieces. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 3: Roll out the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutters to cut an even number of ghost shapes—these will be the tops and bottoms of each hand pie. Gather scraps, roll out again, and cut more ghosts until all dough is used.
Step 4: Place half of the ghost shapes on the baking sheets, leaving space between each. Spoon a small amount of the taco filling into the center of each ghost, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Step 5: Use a small round object to cut out eyes and mouths from the remaining ghost shapes. Place one cut-out shape over each filled ghost on the baking sheets. Press the edges gently with a fork to seal.
Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the egg with a splash of water or milk to make an egg wash. Brush this over the tops of each mini pie for a glossy finish.
Step 7: Bake for 10-14 minutes until the hand pies are golden brown. Let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, use black beans or cooked lentils instead of meat for the filling.
Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
If you don’t have ghost-shaped cutters, use any other fun cookie cutter shapes or simply cut rounds with a glass.
To make them ahead, assemble the pies and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.

Storage

Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes to keep the crust crispy. These pies can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A black plate holds a pile of golden-brown, ghost-shaped hand pies with crimped edges and two round holes near the top resembling eyes, revealing a dark filling inside. Each pie is thick with a flaky, baked crust, stacked closely together covering most of the plate. To the right, there is a white bowl with a colorful salad made of black beans, chopped orange, green, and red vegetables. On the left side, part of a white bowl filled with chunky red salsa is visible. The background shows a white marbled texture with black napkins that have trick or treat written in white letters. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?

Yes, store-bought taco seasoning works perfectly and saves time. Adjust the amount slightly if it’s very salty or spicy.

What can I use instead of pie crusts?

You can substitute refrigerated biscuit dough or puff pastry for a different texture, but pie crust gives the best flaky result for these hand pies.