Fried Meat Pie
Fried meat pie is a delicious savory snack made with soft, lightly seasoned dough and a flavorful meat filling, then fried until golden and crispy on the outside.
Unlike baked meat pie, which is cooked in the oven, this version is prepared by frying the filled dough in hot vegetable oil.
One of the things I love about fried meat pie is its texture. The outside becomes lightly crisp and golden from frying, while the inside remains soft and filled with savory meat.
If you are looking for an easy fried meat pie recipe, this step-by-step guide will show you how I make mine at home.
What Is Fried Meat Pie?
Fried meat pie is a savory pastry filled with seasoned meat and cooked in hot oil until golden brown.
Meat pie is popular in many parts of the world, and fried versions are especially enjoyable as snacks because frying gives the pastry a different texture from oven-baked meat pie.
This recipe is also a great option if you don’t want to use an oven. All you need is a frying pan or pot and enough vegetable oil for frying.
For my fried meat pie, I kept the filling simple. I cooked the meat with onion, pepper, salt, Maggi seasoning, thyme, and curry. After cooking, I lightly blended the meat before frying it again with onions and pepper. This gives the filling a nice texture that works well inside the pastry.
Why You’ll Love This Fried Meat Pie Recipe
There are several reasons to try this homemade fried meat pie.
It doesn’t require an oven
If you don’t have an oven or simply want to try something different from baked meat pie, this recipe is a great alternative.
The filling is flavorful
The meat is cooked with onion, pepper, thyme, curry, salt, and seasoning before being lightly blended and fried again.
The dough is easy to make
The dough uses simple ingredients that are easy to measure and combine.
It makes a delicious snack
Fried meat pie can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast, lunchbox treat, or party food.
The outside is golden and lightly crisp
Frying gives the pastry a beautiful golden exterior and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients for Fried Meat Pie
For the Meat Filling
You will need:
- Meat
- Onion
- Pepper
- Salt
- Maggi or seasoning cube
- Thyme
- Curry
- Vegetable oil
I used the meat as the main part of the filling and kept the seasoning simple.
For the Dough
For the dough, you will need:
- 3 cups flour
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla flavor
- 40–50 grams butter
- 1 cup water
You will also need vegetable oil for frying.
How to Make Fried Meat Pie
Step 1: Cook the Meat and Prepare the Filling
The first step is preparing the meat filling.
Place the meat in a pot and season it with salt, Maggi or seasoning cube, chopped onion, pepper, thyme, and curry.
Add the necessary amount of water, cover the pot, and allow the meat to cook until tender.
Cooking the meat with these seasonings allows it to absorb the flavors while it cooks.
Once the meat is properly cooked, remove it from the pot and allow it to cool slightly.
Next, lightly blend the cooked meat.
You don’t want to turn the meat into a completely smooth paste. The goal is simply to break it down into smaller pieces that will be easy to use as a meat pie filling.
Set the blended meat aside.
Now place a pan over heat and add a small amount of vegetable oil.
Add chopped onions and pepper and stir for a while.
Once the onion and pepper have softened slightly, add the lightly blended cooked meat.
Stir everything together.
Add a little curry for extra flavor and continue stirring until the meat filling is well combined.
Once the filling is ready, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool.
Make sure the filling isn’t excessively wet before using it inside the dough. A filling that is too wet can make the dough difficult to handle.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Once the filling is prepared, it is time to make the dough.
In a clean bowl, add 3 cups of flour.
Add ½ tablespoon of salt and ½ tablespoon of baking powder.
Then add 1 tablespoon of vanilla flavor.
Mix all the dry ingredients together thoroughly.
Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the salt, baking powder, and vanilla flavor throughout the flour before you add the butter and water.
Step 3: Add the Butter and Water
After mixing the dry ingredients, add 40–50 grams of butter.
Work the butter into the flour mixture until it is well incorporated.
The mixture should begin to feel softer and may have a crumbly texture.
Next, gradually add 1 cup of water.
Mix the ingredients together until they form a dough.
The amount of water needed can sometimes vary slightly depending on the flour, so it is better to add the water gradually rather than pouring everything in at once.
The goal is to get a dough that comes together and is easy to work with.
You don’t need to overwork the dough. Once the ingredients have combined and formed a smooth, workable dough, stop mixing.
Step 4: Allow the Dough to Rest
Once the dough has come together, shape it into a ball.
Place it on a clean surface or keep it in the bowl and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes.
Resting the dough gives you a short break before rolling and shaping it.
You don’t need to leave it for a very long time for this recipe. About five minutes is enough based on the method I used.
After resting, the dough is ready to be rolled out and filled.
Step 5: Roll the Dough and Add the Filling
After the dough has rested for about five minutes, divide it into portions according to the size of meat pies you want to make.
Take one portion of dough and place it on a clean surface.
Using a rolling stick or rolling pin, roll the dough out until it becomes flat.
Try to roll it evenly so that the dough isn’t extremely thick in some areas and very thin in others.
Once the dough is rolled out, add some of your prepared meat filling.
Don’t add too much filling. You need enough space around the edges to close the dough properly.
Place the filling in the appropriate position and fold or roll the dough over it according to the shape you want.
Press the edges together firmly to seal the meat pie.
Continue this process with the remaining dough and filling until everything has been used.
The finished pastry should be properly sealed so that the filling stays inside during frying.
Step 6: Prepare the Rolled Dough for Frying
After shaping each meat pie, arrange the prepared pieces on a clean plate or tray.
Take a moment to check the edges and make sure they are properly sealed.
A good seal is important because it helps prevent the filling from coming out when the meat pie is placed in the hot oil.
Repeat the process until all the dough has been rolled, filled, and shaped.
Once everything is ready, it is time for the final step—frying.
Step 7: Fry the Meat Pie
Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium heat.
You need enough oil for the meat pies to fry properly.
Before adding the meat pies, make sure the oil is hot enough.
Carefully place the prepared meat pies into the hot oil.
Avoid overcrowding the pan. Frying too many pieces at once can make it difficult for them to cook and brown evenly.
Allow the meat pies to fry until they become golden brown.
Turn them carefully when necessary so that different sides can cook evenly.
Once the meat pies are golden brown, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or rack to allow excess oil to drain.
Continue frying the remaining meat pies.
Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Making the Best Fried Meat Pie
1. Don’t make the filling too wet
The filling should be flavorful but not watery.
Since the filling goes inside dough that will be fried, excess moisture can make the pastry difficult to seal and handle.
2. Don’t blend the meat too smoothly
When blending the cooked meat, lightly blend it.
You want smaller pieces of meat rather than a completely smooth paste.
This gives the filling a pleasant texture.
3. Allow the filling to cool
Before adding the meat filling to the dough, allow it to cool.
Using very hot filling can make the dough softer and harder to work with.
4. Don’t overwork the dough
Once the dough has formed, you don’t need to knead it excessively.
Mix it until it comes together, then allow it to rest.
5. Seal the edges properly
Make sure each meat pie is sealed properly seal
If there are open areas, the filling may escape into the oil.
use water to seal the edge properly.
6. Don’t overcrowd the oil
Give each meat pie enough room to fry.
Frying in batches can help you achieve more even browning.
7. Use moderate heat
The oil shouldn’t be extremely hot.
If the oil is too hot, the outside may brown too quickly while the pastry doesn’t cook properly inside.
If the oil is too cool, the meat pies can absorb too much oil.
Moderate heat helps the meat pies fry more evenly.
Can I Use Ground Beef for Fried Meat Pie?
Yes,
Ground beef can be used for this recipe.
In Nigeria and many other places, the term minced meat is commonly used. Both refer to meat that has been finely chopped or ground.
Can I Make Fried Meat Pie Without an Oven?
Yes. That’s one of the advantages of this recipe.
Fried meat pie is cooked in hot vegetable oil instead of being baked in an oven.
This makes it a useful recipe if you don’t have an oven available or simply prefer fried pastry.
What Makes Fried Meat Pie Different From Baked Meat Pie?
The main difference is the cooking method.
Fried meat pie is cooked in hot vegetable oil, which gives the pastry a golden and lightly crisp exterior.
Baked meat pie is cooked in an oven, which gives the pastry a different texture and appearance.
Both are delicious, but fried meat pie has its own unique texture and flavor.
How to Store Fried Meat Pie
If you have leftover fried meat pies, allow them to cool completely before storing them.
Place them in a clean airtight container.
For longer storage, refrigeration is a good option.
When you’re ready to eat them, reheat them thoroughly.
If you are making fried meat pies for a gathering, you can prepare the filling and dough ahead of time and fry the pastries closer to serving time.
Can I Make the Filling Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Preparing the meat filling ahead of time can make the entire cooking process easier.
Once the filling has been cooked and prepared, allow it to cool and store it properly until you are ready to make the dough.
Having the filling ready means you can focus on rolling, filling, shaping, and frying the meat pies.
What Can I Serve With Fried Meat Pie?
Fried meat pie can be enjoyed by itself as a snack, but you can also serve it with your favorite drink or other snacks.
It works well for:
- Breakfast
- Afternoon snacks
- School or work lunchboxes
- Picnics
- Parties
- Family gatherings
- Weekend snacks
- Casual meals
It is especially convenient when you want something savory and filling without preparing a full meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fried meat pie made of?
Fried meat pie is made with a simple dough containing flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla flavor, butter, and water. It is filled with seasoned cooked meat and then fried in vegetable oil.
How do you make fried meat pie?
First, cook and season the meat. Lightly blend the cooked meat, then fry it with onion, pepper, and curry. Prepare the dough by combining the dry ingredients with butter and water. Allow the dough to rest, roll it out, add the filling, seal it, and fry until golden brown.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Although this recipe uses meat, you can adapt the filling by using cooked chicken if you prefer. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat you use.
Why is my fried meat pie oily?
Fried meat pie can become oily when the frying oil isn’t hot enough or when the pan is overcrowded. Frying at moderate heat and avoiding overcrowding can help the pastry cook properly without absorbing excessive oil.
Why does my meat pie open while frying?
The edges may not have been sealed properly, or there may have been too much filling inside. Make sure the edges are firmly closed and avoid overfilling the dough.
How long should fried meat pie rest before frying?
For this recipe, the dough rests for about five minutes before it is rolled and filled.
Final Thoughts About Fried Meat Pie
This fried meat pie recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy homemade meat pie without using an oven.
The recipe starts with a flavorful meat filling made by cooking the meat with onion, pepper, salt, Maggi seasoning, thyme, and curry. The cooked meat is then lightly blended before being fried with more onion and pepper and finished with curry for extra flavor.
The dough is just as simple. I used 3 cups of flour, ½ tablespoon of salt, ½ tablespoon of baking powder, 1 tablespoon of vanilla flavor, 40–50 grams of butter, and 1 cup of water.
After mixing the dough, I allowed it to rest for about five minutes before rolling it out and adding the meat filling. Once the meat pies were shaped, I fried them in hot vegetable oil until they became golden brown.
The result is a delicious savory snack with a golden fried exterior and flavorful meat filling inside.
Whether you’re making them for your family, a party, a lunchbox, or simply because you’re craving homemade Nigerian-style snacks, these fried meat pies are worth trying.
If you’ve never made fried meat pie before, don’t be intimidated. Take the process one step at a time, avoid overfilling the dough, seal the edges properly, and keep your frying temperature moderate.
With these simple steps, you can make delicious homemade Fried Meat Pie right in your own kitchen.
If you enjoyed snacks, you can as well try this Simple Nigerian Egg roll Recipe
Instructions
- Add the meat to a pot and season with salt, Maggi, onion, pepper, thyme, and curry.
- Add water, cover, and cook until the meat is tender.
- Lightly blend the cooked meat and set aside.
- Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan.
- Add chopped onion and pepper and stir.
- Add the lightly blended meat and stir.
- Add curry and combine well. Set the filling aside to cool.
- In a bowl, combine 3 cups flour, ½ tablespoon salt, ½ tablespoon baking powder, and 1 tablespoon vanilla flavor.
- Add 40–50 g butter and mix it into the dry ingredients.
- Add 1 cup water and mix until a dough forms.
- Allow the dough to rest for about five minutes.
- Roll the dough out on a clean surface.
- Add the prepared meat filling.
- Fold, roll, and seal the dough around the filling.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Carefully place the prepared meat pies into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown, turning as needed for even cooking.
- Remove from the oil and drain excess oil.
- Allow to cool slightly and serve.
