Easy Stuffed Dough Alternatives | Generated by AI
Easy Homemade Stuffed Dough Alternatives
If you’re looking for simple stuffed dough dishes to make at home besides baozi, buns, and dumplings, focus on options that use store-bought dough (like puff pastry, pie crust, or pizza dough) to keep things quick and beginner-friendly. These savory pastries take 30-60 minutes total and bake or fry easily. Here are five crowd-pleasers with basic steps:
1. Empanadas (Latin American hand pies)
- Why easy? Uses pre-made pie crust; fold, fill, and bake—no steaming required.
- Quick recipe (makes 8-10):
- Filling: Brown 1 lb ground beef or chicken with 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and olives. Season with salt/pepper.
- Dough: Roll out 2 pie crusts, cut into 4-5” circles.
- Assemble: Spoon 1-2 tbsp filling per circle, fold over, crimp edges. Brush with egg.
- Cook: Bake at 400°F for 20-25 min until golden.
- Serve with salsa. Total time: ~45 min.
2. Calzones (Italian folded pizzas)
- Why easy? Pizza dough from the store; stuff like a giant ravioli and bake.
- Quick recipe (makes 4):
- Filling: Mix ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni/sausage, spinach, and marinara sauce.
- Dough: Divide 1 lb pizza dough into 4 balls; roll into 8” circles.
- Assemble: Add filling to half, fold, seal with fork. Vent top, brush with oil.
- Cook: Bake at 450°F for 15-20 min.
- Dip in extra sauce. Total time: ~35 min.
3. Samosas (Indian spiced triangles)
- Why easy? Use phyllo dough sheets for a crispy shortcut; air-fry or bake to skip deep-frying.
- Quick recipe (makes 12):
- Filling: Sauté potatoes, peas, onions, ginger, cumin, and garam masala until soft.
- Dough: Layer 2-3 phyllo sheets, cut into strips.
- Assemble: Place 1 tbsp filling at edge, fold into triangles, seal with water.
- Cook: Brush with oil, bake at 375°F for 15-20 min or air-fry at 350°F for 10 min.
- Pair with chutney. Total time: ~40 min.
4. Piroshki (Russian stuffed rolls)
- Why easy? Puff pastry makes them flaky; bake in batches.
- Quick recipe (makes 12):
- Filling: Cook ground beef or mushrooms with onions, cabbage, and dill.
- Dough: Thaw 1 sheet puff pastry, cut into 3x4” rectangles.
- Assemble: Add 1 tbsp filling, roll up, pinch ends.
- Cook: Bake at 400°F for 15-18 min.
- Great as appetizers. Total time: ~30 min.
5. Cornish Pasties (British meat pies)
- Why easy? Simple filling, no special tools; portable and hearty.
- Quick recipe (makes 4):
- Filling: Dice beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots; season with salt/thyme.
- Dough: Use 2 pie crusts, cut into 6” circles.
- Assemble: Mound filling in center, fold into half-moons, crimp edges.
- Cook: Bake at 375°F for 40-45 min.
- Eat hot or cold. Total time: ~50 min.
These use common ingredients and minimal cleanup. Start with what dough you have on hand—puff pastry is the most forgiving for beginners. Experiment with fillings like cheese, veggies, or leftover meats!
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