Pumpkin Pasties Recipe {Inspired by Harry Potter}

Growing up with the Harry Potter books, there were a lot of things from the books that I always wished were real. Fantastic Beats like Hippogriffs, magic spells, and of course the epic feasts at Hogwarts were things I always dreamed about!

​Well good news for Harry Potter fans- I can help with one of those things! While I may not be able to make an entire feast appear on your table, I can at least help you make one of the most famous Harry Potter treats- Homemade Pumpkin Pasties!

With a homemade sweet pumpkin filling and some easy to make pie dough circles, you can have your own Hogwarts inspired treat in just a few minutes with this Pumpkin Pasties Recipe!

So get ready to board the Hogwarts Express and place your order with the Trolley Witch because the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is about to come right to your kitchen!

Whether you’re having a Harry Potter themed party, watching the Harry Potter series for the first time or just want a sweet treat to enjoy, these delicious little hand pies are the perfect treat!

For a little extra authenticity, be sure to serve them with a goblet of pumpkin juice! {I don’t have a recipe for that, but what about some Slow Cooker Pumpkin Apple Cider?}

What are pumpkin pasties? Are they just from Harry Potter or did they already exist?

Pasties are a baked good that have been around in the United Kingdom for centuries! A pasty is usually made by placing a filling onto a piece of pastry dough, folding it over, and crimping the edges to seal the filling inside. These were commonly filled with a meat and vegetable combination and used as a portable snack for miners since they were self-contained- but they’ve come a long way since then!

Think of them along the lines of what we’d call a hand pie- and just like hand pies, they can be filled with all kinds of sweet or savory fillings!

In this case, they’re pumpkin hand pies filled with a delicious pumpkin mixture that’s perfect for embracing autumn. And while I’m sure someone somewhere has had the idea to use a pumpkin filling in a pasty before, “pumpkin pasties” as a sweet treat appears to have been created by the series.

Are pumpkin pasties sweet or savory?

While you could definitely make them either way, the Harry Potter pumpkin pasties are definitely sweet- and so is this recipe! This recipe uses many sweet ingredients, like brown sugar and cinnamon.

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree?

Sure! If you have an abundance of pumpkins or just don’t want to use store bought pumpkin puree, you can make your own. Here’s how:

1. ​Choose a small cooking pumpkin or sugar pumpkin, wash it and cut it in half.
2. Scoop out the seeds and strings, then place halves on a baking sheet, cut side down.
3. Roast them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes-1 hour, until the flesh is fork-tender.
4. Once the pumpkin has cooled enough to touch, scoop the cooked flesh out from the skin using a spoon.
5. Use a food processor to puree until smooth- if it’s watery, feel free to drain it so your pasties don’t come out soggy.
6. You’ll use a 1:1 ratio in this recipe, so just make sure you have the amount called for!

Note: Alternatively, you could use a pumpkin pie filling from the store for an even easier recipe!

What is the purpose of the egg wash in this recipe?

A major part of the egg wash is actually just for aesthetics- it will help to give these pasties their golden brown color. But it also helps to make sure those crusts stay sealed and helps the sugar stick on top! It also, to a lesser degree, adds a bit of extra richness to the flavor. Just be sure not to overdo it as using too much egg can make the pasties heavy and soggy.

Can I skip the lightning bolt design? What’s the purpose of this?

If you want to enjoy these pumpkin treats but don’t want the Harry Potter aspect, you can definitely skip the lightning bolt design- but don’t skip the slit entirely! That is a vent hole needed for the recipe to turn out right. 

If you don’t want the lightning bolt design, you can cut a straight slit or even just pierce the top of each pasty with a fork.

Can I use a different filling?

Want to make pasties, but not so sure about the pumpkin? You can totally make this your own with a different filling! Here are some options you might like:

• Cheese and Spinach
• Chicken and Mushroom
• Beef and Potato
• Apple Cinnamon
• Banana and Nutella
• Mixed Berries
• Lentil and Veggies

You can also use your favorite pie filling to make this simple recipe for hand pies!

Can I make homemade pie dough?

Sure! I like using store bought because it saves a lot of time, but if you like making your own pie dough you can definitely use that in this recipe. You’ll want to keep an eye on the baking time as that can definitely be impacted by many factors of making your own dough, including the thickness.

What can I serve with pumpkin pasties?

Pumpkin pasties are delicious on their own, but they make for some great pairings, too! I’d recommend trying them with:

• Whipped cream
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Caramel Sauce
• Maple Syrup
• Mixed Berry Compote
• Tea or Coffee

Can I freeze pumpkin pasties for later?

Definitely! Allow them to cool completely first at room temperature to prevent condensation- which can cause freezer burn. If you plan on eating these one at a time later on, it’s easiest to individually wrap them instead of storing them together.

To do this, just wrap each one in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to make it easy to grab them individually when they’re frozen. Then place then in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray and place them in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or resealable freezer bags.

Ready to reheat? Remove the amount you want to make from the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight. Once they’re thawed, just heat them in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through.

What Supplies Do You Need to Make Pumpkin Pasties?

To make Pumpkin Pasties from Harry Potter, you’ll need:

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• Baking sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Medium Bowl or Large Bowl
• ​Cup or Glass Bowl
• ​Fork
• Sharp Knife
• Small Bowl
• Basting Brush

Step by Step Guide

Ready to bake? Grab the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and come back here to get started!

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, and ginger. {You can substitute the cinnamon, clove and ginger for pumpkin pie spice if you want!}

Lay out your pie dough and use a cup or glass bowl to cut out circles for each pumpkin pasty.

Scoop a heaping tablespoon of pumpkin mixture into the middle of each circle of dough.

Fold dough over in the middle and use a fork to pinch the outer rim closed.

Use a sharp knife to cut a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt on the top of each of your pasties.

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg {use egg white and egg yolk} and a tsp of water to make an egg wash. Brush the top of each pumpkin pasty with egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Hungry for More?

Want more delicious pumpkin recipes? Try these:

• Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cookies
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Air Fryer Donuts
• Pumpkin Monkey Bread Muffins
• Pumpkin Pie in a Jar
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Apple Cider
• Caramel Pumpkin Spice Dalgona Coffee
• Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
• Fettuccine with Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Frappe
• Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
• Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
• Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Donuts
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
• Pumpkin Mug Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Mini Pumpkin Pies
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Bread