This recipe for feta and pumpkin phyllo (filo) savory hand pies is so easy, looks fancy, and tastes amazing. They can be served as an appetizer as is, and are just perfect for cocktail parties as they can be held and eaten with one hand. Or they can be served as a main dish with some veggies or a salad on the side. Pumpkin phyllo rolls are also perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or any other gathering that you might have coming up this season!
I love using pre-made pastry like phyllo and puff pastry for simple yet delicious appetizers when last-minute guests come over. This Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onion Puff Pastry Appetizer is another favorite over here.
Feta and Pumpkin Phyllo Savory Hand Pies
Whether you call it phyllo or filo, there is no doubting that this crunchy and crumbly pastry makes an amazing savory roll.
We are stuffing this one with a classic concoction of thyme, feta, and pumpkin to give it a great Fall flavor that can be enjoyed all year round.
You will need:
- olive oil;
- white onion;
- pumpkin purée (you can use homemade roasted and finely mashed pumpkin or store-bought pumpkin puree if that is available);
- nutmeg;
- phyllo (filo) sheets;
- crumbled feta cheese;
- fresh thyme;
- salt and pepper.
I guarantee you are going to love these delicious little hand pies just jam-packed full of so much flavor.
How To Make Pumpkin Phyllo Savory Hand Pies
Sometimes using this super-thin phyllo/filo pastry can seem a little daunting.
Especially if you have not used it before.
But don't worry, it is super easy to work with as long as you remember the one cardinal rule: let the frozen phyllo thaw completely before trying to use it.
To Thaw: you have to be patient and give phyllo pastry time to slowly thaw. This is not a process that can be rushed! The best way to do this is to put it in the fridge and let it thaw overnight, or pull it from the freezer and allow to thaw for at least several hours on the benchtop.
Trying to use this pastry before it is completely thawed is just going to lead to frustration and a lot of torn, unusable, and wasted pastry.
Don't do it!
Other than that, making savory pumpkin hand pies using phyllo pastry is super easy.
Simply make up your pumpkin and feta mixture, add it to the phyllo pastry, and roll it into a long thin log.
Twist the log into a spiral shape, brush with olive oil or melted butter (either one works just fine and just comes down to personal preference).
Pop into the oven and cook until golden and crispy.
Storing and Freezing Pumpkin Phyllo (Filo) Rolls
Once completely cooled, pumpkin phyllo rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
They can be eaten cold or reheated in an oven or air fryer.
Do not microwave the phyllo rolls to heat them up as this will cause the phyllo pastry to become soggy. Instead, heat them in a preheated oven or air fryer.
Freezing
Phyllo pumpkin rolls can be frozen for up to two months.
Simply add to a freezer-friendly tray in a single row, making sure the pumpkin rolls do not touch.
Once frozen through, transfer to a freezer-friendly container or Ziploc bag and pop into the freezer.
When it comes time to eat the frozen phyllo rolls do not thaw them.
Instead, place them in a preheated oven or air fryer and cook from frozen.
Thawing the frozen phyllo rolls will lead to them becoming soggy, so be sure to cook them from frozen in a preheated oven or air fryer.
Do not microwave the rolls as this will also cause them to become soggy.
What To Serve With Pumpkin Hand Pies
Pumpkin phyllo rolls are a pretty versatile recipe to have on hand.
They can be served as-is for a quick snack or an easy appetizer when your guests will only be able to eat with one hand (although serve up some napkins/serviettes alongside as they can be quite crumbly).
They also work well as a main dish if paired with a nice salad or some extra veggies!
TIP: A drizzle of aioli over the top right before serving wouldn't go amiss if serving as a main.
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Need More Finger Food Recipes For Easy Entertaining?
We love a good selection of pastries and finger foods when entertaining.
Check out these recipes to go with your savory pumpkin hand pies for your next party or gathering.
- Mini Brie Bites with Onion Jam
- Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onion Puff Pastry Appetizer
- Blue Cheese Crostini with Roasted Grapes
- Vegetarian Sausage Rolls Recipe Loaded with Seeds
- Tomato Bruschetta from KJ's Food Journal
- And of course if you want to try making your own phyllo/filo pastry then try this recipe from My Greek Dish: Easy Homemade Phyllo Dough Recipe For Beginners.
Happy Eating.
xx
Recipe
Easy Feta and Pumpkin Phyllo (Filo) Savory Hand Pies
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil divided
- 1 white onion diced
- 2 cups pumpkin puree or roasted mashed pumpkin
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 12 phyllo (filo) sheets thawed (see notes re thawing)
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit or 175 Celcius.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add in the diced onion and cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add the pumpkin purée and the nutmeg. Season to taste, and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Once heated through remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Remove the thawed phyllo (filo) dough from the packaging, place it near your work surface and cover it with a damp dishcloth to prevent the pastry from drying out.
- Take one sheet of the phyllo pastry and place it on your clean work surface. Using a silicone brush, spread the olive oil all over the sheet.
- Place the second sheet of phyllo on top of the first oil-covered sheet. Repeat the previous step and brush the whole sheet with olive oil.
- Spread ¼ cup of the pumpkin filling at the bottom of the sheet on the horizontal (usually shorter) side.
- Add a heaped tablespoon of the crumbled feta on top of the filling.
- Roll the pumpkin-filled sheets into a tight log. Twist the log into a spiral or a roll, and place it on a lined baking sheet. Repeat this step with the remaining pastry and filling.
- Brush the finished rolls with the remaining olive oil, and place them into the oven on the baking tray. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes, or until golden and slightly crispy.
- Remove the cooked rolls from the oven and sprinkle with fresh thyme on top.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Alex says
I know it sounds strange, but i think they're even better with mint in place of thyme.
Donna says
Will have to try that next! I would never have thought to pair pumpkin with mint!