Blackberry Hand Pies are made with blackberry pie filling, homemade pie crust, or refrigerated biscuit dough. Make this blackberry pie recipe ahead of time and freeze for later use.
This hand pie recipe uses fresh or frozen fruit for the pie filling and is the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ, potluck or family gathering.
Inspired by my widely popular Apple Hand Pies, I made homemade blackberry pie filling to create these delicious Blackberry Hand Pies. Make the pie filling ahead of time and cool completely before filling your pie crust.
Why this recipe works
- Prep ahead of time! – make blackberry pie filling ahead of time. Refrigerate it for a few days or freeze for a month or two.
- Freezer friendly! – this hand pies recipe can be made ahead of time, place on half sheet pans lined with parchment paper and freeze. Cover the entire pan with plastic wrap to prevent frost bite.
- Makes a great individual dessert! – these are the perfect size dessert. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What you’ll need
- Blackberries – use fresh or frozen blackberries.
- Lemon juice – helps keep the blackberries fresh and adds some citrus flavor.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg – warm spice of cinnamon adds plenty of spice to your blackberry pie.
- Pie Crust – use homemade or store-bought pie crust. You can even use refrigerated biscuit dough rolled out if you prefer.
I’ve been perfecting my pie crust recipe for a few years now and we love blackberry pie. So, I thought these hand pies would be perfect combination for fall. Also try my apple cider donuts.
Blackberry hand pies can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated or frozen. Homemade hand pies are easy to make using either store-bought or homemade pie crust or even refrigerated biscuit dough.
How to make Blackberry Pie Filling
Step 1: Make the pie filling. Melt the butter in a 12-13-inch skillet. Cook the blackberries over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes or until soft. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice while they cook. Stir with a wooden spoon occasionally, making sure they do not burn.
Step 2: Thicken the pie filling. Pour the cornstarch slurry once berries are almost done and let cook to thicken the blackberries pie filling.
(NOTE: Blackberry Pie Filling will thicken once removed from the heat and it cools. Should it not be thick enough, simply pour back into the skillet, add a little more dissolved cornstarch and cook some more.)
Step 4: Remove from the heat and let cool. Remove from heat and add the cinnamon, nutmeg and stir to combine. Let the pie filling cool completely.
Make a big batch of the blackberry pie filling and let it cool completely. Save time and make it a few days ahead of time!
I like to make it the night before I assemble blackberry hand pies, so it’s completely cooled and ready to go! (Make the pie filling ahead of time and refrigerate for a few days, or freeze until needed)
How to freeze hand pies
As you create each hand pie, place them on a half sheet pan lined with a piece of parchment paper. I will typically overlap them just a tad and be able to fit about 5-6 hand pies in each row, with a total of 3 rows per sheet pan.
Wrap the entire sheet pan of hand pies and place in the freezer flat. So the entire sheet pan stays flat. Once they are completely frozen you can stack another sheet pan of hand pies on top, if needed. But, not until they are completely frozen– otherwise you will squish the hand pies!
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! I make blackberry hand pies the night before and slightly overlap them on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Loosely cover the entire sheet pan with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. This also makes the pie dough super cold when you fry them, helping them become perfectly flaky.
Layer hand pies, slightly overlapped on a parchment lined half sheet pan. Three rows of hand pies, five to six hand pies per row. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for up to six months.
Thaw in the fridge, uncovered. NOTE: If you leave them covered with plastic wrap after being frozen, they end up with too much condensation. Simply remove the plastic wrap and they’ll thaw perfectly overnight.
What is a Blackberry Hand Pie?
These yummy fried hand pies are small pieces of dough with a dollop of blackberry pie filling, then crimped and fried. They are an old-fashioned tradition here in the South.
These blackberry pies can be fried or baked.
Do I have to make Homemade Pie Crust?
I make hand pies with homemade pie crust. But, if you don’t want to fuss with homemade crust you can use refrigerated biscuit dough or refrigerated pie crust.
Doing a little research, I found that many old-time Southern cooks made these little hand pies with biscuit dough. But, I think you’ll love them with the pie crust.
Pie crust tips
If your pie crust is getting too warm, plop the entire pie in the fridge or into the freezer for a bit to get it really cold again before baking.
Can you freeze pie dough?
While you can freeze pie crust, I like to make pie crust fresh each time I need it. You can make an entire pie, wrap with loosely with plastic wrap and freeze it. Should you wish to freeze pie dough, be sure and wrap it tightly with heavy-duty plastic wrap and sealed freezer zip-style bag.
More Pie Recipes
- Cherry Pie
- Cherry Hand Pies
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Blackberry Pie
- Blueberry Pie
- Blueberry Crumble Pie
- Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
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Blackberry Hand Pies
Ingredients
Blackberry Pie Filling
- 5 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Homemade pie crust or biscuit dough
- canola oil (for frying)
Instructions
Blackberry Pie Filling
- Melt the butter in a 12-13-inch skillet. Cook the blackberries over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes or until soft. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice while they cook. Stir with a wooden spoon occasionally, making sure they do not burn.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in about ¼ cup of cold water. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the cornstarch mixture once they are almost done and let cook to thicken the blackberries and juice. (NOTE: Blackberry Pie Filling will thicken once removed from the heat and it cools. Should it not be thick enough, simply pour back into the skillet, add a little more dissolved cornstarch and cook some more.)
- Remove from the heat and add the cinnamon, nutmeg and stir to combine. Let the pie filling cool completely.
Blackberry Hand Pies
- Roll out your biscuit dough or pie crust on a lightly floured surface, into 4-6 inch ovals, about ⅛-1/4-inch thick. Scoop about 1 tablespoon or so of the cooled pie filing in the center of each round.
- Fold over, lightly press down on the filling and the edges. (Lightly wet edges with water, using your fingertip if needed) Crimp the edges of the dough with a floured fork.
- Place uncooked pies on a half-sheet pan which is lined with parchment paper. If frying pies right away, place the entire sheet pan in the fridge while you heat the oil.
- Fill a fry pan with about 2-3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil until very hot (about 370 to 375 degrees F).
- Place only a few hand pies in the hot oil at a time, as to not overcrowd the pan or let the oil cool. Fry until they are brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes total. As they fry, use a slotted spoon to gently move them back and forth. (So they don't burn.)
- Remove from the hot oil and let drain on paper towels on a half-sheet pan. Sprinkle with granulated sugar while they are still warm. Or drizzle with a simple glaze.
- These are best served warm.
Video
Recipe Notes
Tips on making Blackberry Hand Pies:
Adjust the sugar in your blackberry pie filling based on how sweet or tart of the blackberries. You can make hand pies AHEAD of time. Overlap them slightly on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer. Cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap. To thaw blackberry hand pies: Remove the plastic wrap that was covering the tray and discard it. It will have extra moisture you DO NOT want! Let them thaw, uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. If you do not have a thermometer. You can test if the oil is hot enough by sprinkling a tiny bit of flour off of your fingers into the center of the oil. If the flour bubbles out to the edges of the pan quickly, the temperature is ready.Nutrition
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Kim D says
RE the pie crust: single or double pie crust
Jessica Robinson says
Kim,
There’s a link to the pie crust recipe in the ingredients. I usually make a big batch of hand pies, so I make multiple batches of pie crust. However, you will need one batch of pie crust to make one batch of hand pies (about 12 pies.) If you are using store-bought, you’ll need at least one package, if not two. Since it’s already pre-rolled out. I highly recommend using homemade pie crust.
Mary says
You mentioned that these pies can be baked what temp and how long would you suggest?
Jessica Robinson says
Mary,
Yes, you can bake these pies. Bake at 400 degrees F. I would have them thawed, but really cold so your pie crust gets nice and flaky.
Bake for about 30 minutes OR until the crust is nice and golden brown. I would brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with a little sugar prior to baking.
Patricia says
I would love to receive emails with any recipes that you might post.
Thank You.
Jessica Robinson says
Patricia,
You can sign up for our emails on some of our most popular recipes. It’s right before the recipe card in our apple hand pies post. Let me know if you need help!
Sonya says
I love all things fried, especially fried pies…
Lisa Hatfield says
Jessica, these blackberry handpies are so beautiful with that glaze and the video is so helpful to see how you make each one. I can tell you have made these so many times! Can’t wait to make these…
Jessica Robinson says
Thanks so much Lisa!! Super simple to make these ahead of time and freeze them!