Individual Christmas Pies: A Festive Twist on a Classic Favourite
Celebrate the holidays with our Individual Christmas Pies, a fun and delicious take on the traditional festive pie. These pies are filled with savoury minced beef, vegetables, and melted cheddar cheese, topped with a golden, flaky puff pastry crust. They’re finished with charming Christmas-themed decorations for a festive touch. Perfect for holiday feasts or as a festive starter, these pies will delight your guests with their rich flavour and festive flair. For the full recipe with all measurements, scroll to the end of this description or tap the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button.
A Hearty and Festive Filling
Our Individual Christmas Pies are filled with a hearty mixture of seasoned minced beef, onions, carrots, celery, green beans, and garlic. These ingredients are all simmered in a rich, stock-based sauce for a deliciously comforting filling. The combination of fresh rosemary, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of tomato purée brings depth to the filling, making each bite a savoury delight. A generous helping of melted cheddar cheese adds a creamy touch that balances the rich meat and vegetables.
Easy to Make and Perfect for the Holidays: Individual Christmas Pies
Effortless Preparation for All Skill Levels
These Individual Christmas Pies might look fancy, but they’re surprisingly simple to prepare. They’re a great choice for both beginner and experienced cooks. Start by heating a little olive oil in a pan and browning the minced beef, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once it’s golden and cooked through, set it aside.
In the same pan, cook the diced onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and become fragrant, filling your kitchen with holiday warmth.
A Rich and Savoury Filling
Next, add the green beans, garlic, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and flour. Allow them to cook briefly to combine all the flavours. Once the mixture has thickened, pour in the stock, add a few sprigs of rosemary and a bay leaf, and let everything simmer until the vegetables are tender and the filling is rich and thick.
While the filling cools slightly, prepare your ramekins by lightly greasing them with oil. Spoon a little of the beef mixture into the bottom, followed by a sprinkle of cheese. Add more filling, then top with a final layer of cheese for extra creaminess.
Festive Pastry Topping for a Beautiful Finish
The next step is where the fun begins!Unfold your sheet of puff pastry and use a round cutter to create a top for each pie. Make sure the pastry is slightly bigger than the ramekin so it covers the filling entirely. Use festive Christmas cookie cutters, such as stars or Christmas trees, to cut out decorative shapes from the remaining pastry. These will sit beautifully on top of each pie.
Press down the edges with a fork to seal them and give the pies a rustic, homemade look. Brush the tops with an egg wash for a golden, shiny finish when baked.
Once assembled, bake these pies in an air fryer for 8-10 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden finish. You’ll enjoy perfectly cooked pies with a crisp pastry shell and a savoury, melt-in-your-mouth filling—making them the perfect festive dish for any holiday celebration.
Customisable and Family-Friendly
While our recipe features a beef filling, you can easily switch it up to suit your preferences. For a vegetarian option, simply replace the beef with a plant-based alternative or lentils. You can also swap the vegetables based on what’s in season or what your family enjoys most. These individual pies are not only versatile but are sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Freezing
These Individual Christmas Pies are perfect for preparing in advance. Simply assemble the pies and refrigerate until ready to bake, or freeze them before baking and cook directly from frozen. If cooking from frozen, allow extra time for proper cooking. They make a wonderful make-ahead option for busy holiday seasons!
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Watch a quick video tutorial for our Individual Christmas Pies on Instagram to see how easy it is to create these festive treats!
Looking for more festive recipes? Try our Butternut Squash and Gruyère Gratin, Two Potatoes Gratin, or our crowd-pleasing Crushed Potato Cottage Pie for more hearty and delicious holiday options. Be sure to check out our full collection of festive recipes for your next celebration!
Description
These Individual Christmas Pies are a festive twist on the classic savory pie, perfect for your holiday spread. Packed with minced beef, seasonal vegetables, and melting cheddar, these pies are topped with a golden puff pastry lid and fun Christmas-themed decorations. Whether served as a main or a delightful side, they’re sure to impress your guests with their hearty flavour and charming presentation. Easy to prepare and bake, these pies are perfect for making ahead and popping in the oven when you’re ready. Enjoy the holiday magic in every bite!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan and add minced beef. Crush it to break all chunks, then add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Use a potato masher to break the meat into small pieces. Once the minced beef is well-browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
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Add the remaining oil to the same pan, then add onion, carrot, and celery. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
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Add green beans, garlic, tomato puree, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, flour, and mix well.
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Add the beef back to the pan, followed by beef/vegetable stock, chopped rosemary, and bay leaf. Mix and cover with the lid. Cook until the sauce thickens and the veggies are soft. Adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside.
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To assemble the pies, lightly grease 4 ramekins with oil, add a bit of filling to the bottom, then add cheese, followed by more filling and cheese again.
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Roll out the puff pastry and cut out circles slightly bigger than the top of the ramekin. Also, using Christmas cookie cutters, cut out 4 ornaments (like Christmas trees or stars).
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Place the puff pastry round on top of the ramekin, seal the edges using a fork.
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Place the ornament on top and brush with egg wash (combine egg yolk and 1 tbsp of milk).
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Cook Christmas individual pies in an air fryer at 180C for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!
Equipment
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Servings: 4 ServingCalories:733.78kcalTotal Fat:48.85gSaturated Fat: 16.52gTrans Fat: 0.18gCholesterol:121.11mgSodium:693.46mgPotassium:782.26mgTotal Carbohydrate:42.47gDietary Fiber: 4.06gSugars: 5.11gProtein:33.27gVitamin A: 326.13IUVitamin C: 8.41mgCalcium: 343.03mgIron: 4.84mgVitamin D: 0.53IUVitamin E: 2.62IUVitamin K: 33.65mcgThiamin: 0.42mgRiboflavin: 0.64mgNiacin: 7.69mgVitamin B6: 0.69mgFolate: 52.92mcgVitamin B12: 2.19mcgPhosphorus: 455.61mgMagnesium: 63.85mgZinc: 6.31mg
Note
Make Ahead: These pies can be prepared in advance. Assemble the pies, cover, and refrigerate them. When ready to cook, add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the minced beef with lentils or a plant-based meat alternative for a delicious and hearty filling.
Pastry Variations: You can use ready-made shortcrust pastry instead of puff pastry for a different texture, or even make your own for a more personal touch.
Storage: Leftover pies can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for the best results.
Freezing: These pies freeze well before baking. Simply assemble them, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra time to ensure they’re heated through.
