Easy Pumpkin Empanadas with pie crust are sweetened with date paste, dairy free and can be on your dessert table in under 30 minutes. Perfect hand pies for autumn. Learn our hacks for sealing empanadas and recipe shortcuts. (Video and step by step included).
Spiced Pumpkin and Date Empanadas (hand pies) are like taking a bite of autumn without all the guilt. Delicately sweetened with date paste and baked instead of fried. Delicate flaky pie dough followed by a creamy spiced pumpkin bite that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Jump to:
- It’s Officially Pumpkin Everything Now!
- Why You Are Going to Love Easy Pumpkin Empanadas
- Portable Convenient Thanksgiving Hand Pies
- Traditional Pumpkin Pie vs Pumpkin Empanada?
- Time Saving Empanada Hacks
- How to Make Homemade Date Paste
- How to Make Pumpkin Empanadas
- Healthish Empanadas
- Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- More Autumn Desserts
- Easy Pumpkin Empanadas
It’s Officially Pumpkin Everything Now!
We have been busy baking our Healthy Pumpkin Muffins and Easy Pumpkin Empanadas. It’s this special time of the year that is cool enough to actually turn on the oven. We crave nourishing and warming spices and enjoy all that the fall harvest has to offer. A delicious bowl of comforting Roasted Chestnut Pumpkin Risotto is like getting a warm hug from your mom.
If you are getting ready to carve your pumpkin, do not throw out your seeds. The boys love Roasted Cajun Pumpkin Seeds even more than candy on Halloween. If you want a grab and go snack for work or school lunches be sure to try our Easy Roasted Pepitas.
Why You Are Going to Love Easy Pumpkin Empanadas
The first bite is like taking a bite into autumn as it has a of the flavors that remind you of the change of seasons. First the buttery, flaky and delicate crust is the first to hit your palate followed by the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, mace and nutmeg which is a perfect complement to the slightly sweet and spiced pumpkin.
The dates add another dimension of flavor and give this dessert a delicate natural sweetness just like our apple oatmeal date cookies. Delicious either hot out of the oven or at room temperature.
You can pick up a spiced pumpkin and date empanadas with one hand and have an Instant Pot Apple Cider (or something a little stronger for the adults) in the other. If you want to try a Spanish savory version of an empanada be sure to try our Beef Empanadas with our Spicy 5 Minute Chimichurri Sauce.
Portable Convenient Thanksgiving Hand Pies
These delicious mini pumpkin pies are not just for Thanksgiving but for any autumn or winter delicious treat. After all, you can be serving these little date sweetened desserts hot out of the oven in under 30 minutes flat. You got to love that!
The best part about these delicious dessert empanadas is their portability. All you need is one empty hand and you are good to go. If your family gatherings are anything like ours, there is not even a table large enough to sit everyone down for a proper pumpkin pie with messy whipped topping.
Whether you are sitting, standing or walking, everyone can enjoy a delicious bite of a portable pumpkin spice hand pie. They are also fantastic as a dessert to pass.
Traditional Pumpkin Pie vs Pumpkin Empanada?
Unlike baking a whole pumpkin pie that can take up to an hour to bake, our Easy Pumpkin Empanadas only take about 18 minutes to bake. Traditional whole pumpkin pies are made with a ton of sugar and lots of dairy.
Little hand pies can help with portion control. In addition, no plates to wash. We used NO REFINED sugar in our little mini pumpkin pies, but instead replaced it with natural date paste and a little honey. Dairy is not our friend. Instead, we used just a little non-dairy almond milk in the pumpkin mix.
So, there you have it! The main difference between a traditional pumpkin pie and a pumpkin empanada is that the hand pies are a heck of lot easier to make and a little healthier too.
Time Saving Empanada Hacks
- Use refrigerator pie dough in a box. They have 2 pie crusts and are usually around 14 oz (396 grams) for a box. If you need a gluten free pie crust, be sure to try Fearless Dining’s Gluten Free Pie Crust Recipe. Please note that a gluten-free crust is more finicky than a regular crust to work with so be patients and roll between 2 sheets of waxed paper.
- Assemble your pumpkin hand pies in advance and freeze them before baking. Then, on the day that your guests arrive, you can bake them for about 25- 28 minutes straight from the freezer to the oven. They need a little extra time in the oven, if frozen.
- Buy and use pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend at the grocery store. (We have included a recipe if you choose to make your own below).
- Purchase date paste or make in advance at home and store in the refrigerator for all of your baking needs.
How to Make Homemade Date Paste
- Boil water enough to cover the dates
- Let dates set in hot water for about 15 minutes or just until softened.
- Drain water from dates but reserve the water to help thin out the paste. (
- Place dates in food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- Date paste can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for about 1 month. Date paste can last up to 6 months in the freezer in a freezer safe container or baggies.
- Consider making 2 cups worth so you can have extra on hand to add to your oatmeal and other baked treats.
How to Make Pumpkin Empanadas
- Mix plain pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice mix, salt, almond milk, honey and date paste until well incorporated.
- Roll out your pre-made refrigerator pie crusts a little thinner.
- Find a round bowl or large cup as your stencil and cut into circles. The size bowl we used was 5.5 inches (14 cm). You want your round stencil it to be big enough for your pie to fit in one hand but not so small that it is difficult to stuff and seal.
- Use your bowl or cup as a stencil and cut with a butter knife around.
- Egg wash the ends of the round circles to help seal the Easy Pumpkin Empanadas with Pie Crusts.
- Place about 1-2 tablespoons of date sweetened pumpkin pie filling over ½ of the pie crust. Keep at least 1 inch away from the sides. Do not overfill as it will be VERY difficult to close and seal the hand pie. The amount of pie filling needed for each depends on how big of a bowl stencil you used.
- Fold the empanada in half and press down with your fingers to seal around the edges.
- Next, either use your fork to crimp the edges and seal or use a fold over technique as shown in the video below.
- Use a fork to place a couple of holes in the top of the crust so the steam has some place to escape during the baking process.
- Brush the tops with a little egg wash and bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- If you like you can eat plain on the go or with a little Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream on top.
Healthish Empanadas
Traditionally, empanadas are fried. Do you like fried foods or dealing with the aftermath in the kitchen? We thought not. Instead, we opted to bake to save on fat and calories and clean up was a snap.
Our Spiced Pumpkin filling is made without any refined sugar. Instead, we used natural date paste and a little raw honey to delicately sweeten the pumpkin. Refined sugars, like granulated sugars and brown sugars, can cause your glucose levels to spike and then crash. Dates are less likely to cause a spike in your blood glucose levels according to NIH.
In addition, dates are high in fiber, iron and most importantly are delicious. Did you know there are over 200 different types of dates? Wow! You can use whatever is convenient for you just make sure they are pitted so that it is less work for you. If you live near a Middle Eastern Market, they usually have date paste already made in packages. This is super convenient.
If you have Chinese Red dates, be sure to try our Goji Berry and Red Dates Herbal Tea or you can make jujube paste. The perfect tea to nourish your body and revitalize your blood during the change of seasons.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Assemble your pumpkin hand pies in advance and freeze them BEFORE baking. Then, on the day that your guests arrive, you can bake them for about 25- 28 minutes straight from the freezer to the oven. They need a little extra time in the oven, if frozen.
Easy Pumpkin Empanadas can be enjoyed straight out of the oven or at room temperature. They can be kept at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, they can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days. We do not recommend freezing them after they are baked as they can get soggy.
Rewarm/bake in the oven at 350 F. degrees (176 degrees C) for about 7-10 minutes. You might want to put a little piece of aluminum foil over the top to prevent over browning.
More Autumn Desserts
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins (Dairy Free and Sugar Free)
Best Orange Almond Flourless Cake
Coconut Rice Pudding with Cardamon Spiced Honey Pears
Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.
Easy Pumpkin Empanadas
Equipment
- baking sheet
Ingredients
Pumpkin Empanadas
- 14 oz pie crust dough pre-made refrigerator pie crust dough (found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Each package usually contains 2 individually wrapped crusts.)
- ⅓ cup flour all purpose to keep dough from sticking
- 15 oz pumpkin puree plain
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
recipe below - ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup date paste (about 16 dates (113 grams) or ½ cup tightly packed dates soaked in hot water for 15 minutes then pureed with ⅛ of the water until smooth)
- 3 tablespoon honey (or other sugar substitute of choice)
- 2 tablespoon almond milk or dairy free creamer
or dairy or non-dairy of choice - 1 egg beaten
- 2 tablespoon date sugar optional - for sugar cinnamon topping
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional - for sugar cinnamon topping
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (skip if using store bought)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
dried ground - 2 teaspoon ginger
dried ground - ½ teaspoon cloves
dried ground - ½ teaspoon allspice
dried ground - ½ teaspoon mace
dried ground - ½ teaspoon nutmeg dried ground
Instructions
Make Pumpkin filling
- Pumpkin Spice: If using store bought or pre-made pumpkin pie spice, skip this step. If you want to make homemade pumpkin spice, add dried cinnamon, ginger, cloves, all spice, mace and nutmeg in a bowl. Reserve 2 teaspoons for recipe and store the remaining in a sealed container for up to one year.
- Date Paste: If using store bought or pre-made date paste, skip this step. If you want to make homemade date paste, check out our recipe. https://www.hwcmagazine.com/recipe/how-to-make-date-paste/
- Mix pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, salt, puree dates, honey and almond milk or dairy or non-dairy of choice together in a bowl until well incorporated. Set Aside
Assemble Easy Pumpkin Empanadas
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C)
- Open up refrigerated pie crusts. These come in a box in the refrigerator section of your grocery store. Generally speaking, there will be 2individually wrapped pie crust in each box. You will be using both of them. Flour your work surface and rolling pin. Gently roll pie dough crust a little thinner.
- Find a round bowl or large cup as your stencil and cut into circles. The size bowl we used was 5.5 inches (14 cm). You want your round stencil it to be big enough for your pie to fit in one hand but not so small that it is difficult to stuff and seal.
- Use your bowl or cup as a stencil and cut around the edges with a butter knife. Remove excess dough. Roll all excess dough into a ball. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until all of the pie crust dough is used. Make as many round circles as you can with the pie dough. We made 10 circles.
- Brush beaten egg around the edge of the round pie crust dough circles. The egg will help seal the Easy Pumpkin Empanadas.
- Place about 1-2 tablespoons of date sweetened pumpkin pie filling over ½ of the pie crust. Keep at least 1 inch away from the sides. Do not overfill as it will be VERY difficult to close and seal the hand pie. The amount of pie filling needed for each depends on how big of a bowl stencil you used.
- Fold the empanada in half and press down with your fingers to seal around the edges.
- Next, either use your fork to crimp the edges and seal or use a fold over technique as shown in the video below.
- Use a fork to place a couple of holes in the top of the crust so the steam has some place to escape during the baking process.
- Brush the tops with a little egg wash and bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
- OPTIONAL: Mix date sugar (or alternative sweetener and cinnamon in a little bowl) Sprinkle pumpkin empanadas with a little date sugar and cinnamon, if desired.
- Enjoy! Can be served hot out of the oven or room temperature
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I'm so glad you're doing some preplanning and experimenting ahead, we get to see what you've made and can try them too! These little hand-held pies/empanadas look fantastic.. I had to read the description of the taste over a few times.. savoring every moment!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Smidge! Will you be having lots of holiday guests? I am also look forward to reading your upcoming posts and some old ones so I can get a menu in order by this upcoming week as will be hosting very soon. Hey by the way I used your recipe for your coffee cake for a bake sale and I received all kinds of happy responses. Take care, BAM
Jeno @ Week Nite Meals says
Wow Bam, I am so envious of your guests! You really do put a lot of thoughts and care into cooking, these empanadas look absolutely delicious! Who wouldn't want to have a portable pumpkin dessert that won't add bulk to our waistline?
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you for your kind words and I am glad you like these little empanadas. So when is your kitchen back in service? Will it be ready before the holidays embark upon us? Take care, bAM
Dawn says
Wow - nice job!! My house will be filling up starting Friday - 3 sets of grandparents will be visiting in 3 weeks. I haven't even begun to start thinking about what to make - but I am with you - they will be my testers!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Good luck with your visitors. Have you ever watched the film, "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation"? You should probably watch that to get you in the proper holiday spirit before their arrival. I know we always think as foodies that we have to put on some elegant feast but your family are there to visit you so enjoy your time with them.
theglobalgarnishgeek says
Great idea. These would be perfect for "finger food" meal....
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks. I think my next gathering will be "Tapas and Tinis..." Short for Martini's. Take care, BAM
Mich - Piece of Cake says
spiced pumpkin and dates sound delicious in that pie skin!
Healthy World Cuisine says
A slightly different twist to a age old classic. Hope your day is grand. Take Care, BAM
sweetsimplestuff says
The combination of flavors sounds so wonderful ... I will be trying this soon! Thank you 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I know I don't often post desserts on Healthy World Cuisine as often as my teenagers would like as that requires that crazy verb called "measuring". Measuring and weighing the flours and ingredients and such is so overrated. I am much more of a dash of this and dash of that kind of girl... Thank goodness this recipe is very forgiving. Take Care, BAM
sweetsimplestuff says
I understand ... I cook the same way, while baking does require measuring.
erika says
BAM! How did you know that I have leftover pumpkin puree in my fridge and dates in my cupboard? And that I LOVE empanadas? You must have read my mind. I really really want to make these! Mmm. They look so delicious. A pumpkin pie empanada!! And I love how flaky and light the dough looks, even with only three tablespoons of butter! You are a genius.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Erika, I was actually thinking of you while I was making these little empanadas. I was thinking that maybe you can make some spiced pumpkin and date pancakes and top off with some spiced sweet bourbon glaze. How does that sound? Oh my goodness the ideas for pancakes are endless. Take care, BAM
erika says
I LOVE it!!! One of my next ideas was to make a date swirl pancake (like a cinnamon roll, but using cinnamon date paste instead of powdered sugar and butter to make the swirl)...I'm thinking I will have to combine it with pumpkin now! And possibly bourbon! Ahh so excited! So sweet of you to think of me 🙂 Also, I'm looking at your response to a comment below and I love the idea of "tapas and tinis." might have to borrow that idea too 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Now that sounds fancy and very cool to make swirled pancakes. I can't wait to read about your finished product. Take care, BAM
Norma Chang says
I do planning and preparation but they do not always end up into practice. Love you addition of dried fruits to cut back on the sugar.
Healthy World Cuisine says
However P and P is half the battle... so job well done! I was reading some time ago that in ancient times dates and figs were used to naturally sweeten things before the invention of refined sugar. So going back to the basics... Take care, BAM
Karen says
What a clever and delicious idea.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you for your kind words Karen. Now, on to the next test item for my holiday kitchen...
dutchgoesitalian says
I'm all for planning and preparation 😀 These look delicious and perfect for any party!! Thanks BAM for the recipe...
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Letizia. Will you be hosting lots of guests over the holiday or will it be a quite one in Italy? Take care, BAM
dutchgoesitalian says
I'll be in Holland for the holidays!! So don't need to prepare anything...my parents will do so 😉 Ciao, ciao! 😀
Healthy World Cuisine says
Have fun and enjoy the frites and mayo! Take care, BAM
dutchgoesitalian says
Oh I will for sure!! Hahaha, I adore frites with mayo and satay sauce....YUMMY!!! But I will keep your recipe in mind whnever we'll have friends over 😉 Take care! Letizia
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
Those are too pretty. They look delicious. I like that you make your own pumpkin pie spice. We always do too.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks so much. I make my own pumpkin pie spice and many other things from scratch out of necessity of living in Hong Kong. Getting all of the things readily,that I used to have access to the States, is not so convenient or even available here. However, there is always a will and a way. Take Care, BAM
rabbitcancook says
Hi BAM, you are such a great friend and host, what a great preparation. I never plan anything like this, I always prefer to have my social gathering outside home (cafe/restaurant) to avoid the mess 😀 not a good host at all.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you for your kind comment. I love to cook but I really do not like the cleanup part either. That is exactly why little grab and go snacks are perfect. No plate or utensils needed, just a disposable napkin and clean up is a snap. Take care, BAM
Promenade Claire says
Perfect party food BAM, tasty treats, portable and so much care and attention. did I mention perfect?
Healthy World Cuisine says
Claire you are so sweet. Thanks for your support! Take Care, BAM
Choc Chip Uru says
No one will be Xboxing if these are in the room my friend, too gracious a host 😉
Delicious job!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks CCU. As I have noted, the x-box playing takes 2 hands so they will have to take a bit of a break from the games to have a quick snack.
thecompletecookbook says
Planning and preparation you say... must put that into practice before our guests arrive over Christmas.
Gorgeous little empanadas Bam.
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
I know that concept of P and P is quite a crazy one. I am fresh out of fire extinguishers and pizza coupons so I thought I would give P an P a trial run.