Sweet Potato Hand Pies

Sweet Potato Hand Pies are portable, baked or fried pastries filled with a sweet, spiced sweet potato mixture, often encased in a flaky dough. They are a popular comfort food in the American South, drawing from African American and Southern culinary traditions, and are often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

These hand pies are typically high in carbohydrates from the sweet potato and pastry dough, with moderate fat from butter or shortening, and provide key nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, and potassium. A single hand pie generally ranges from 250 to 400 calories, depending on size and preparation.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	280 kcal
Protein	3 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	12 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	18 g
Sodium	220 mg
Potassium	210 mg
Vitamin A	320 mcg RAE
Vitamin C	6 mg
Calcium	25 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	20 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Manganese	0.4 mg

Per 1 hand pie (113 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, they represent a blend of African and American ingredients, with sweet potatoes being a staple crop in the South. Nutritionally, the sweet potato filling offers a natural sweetness and rich beta-carotene, making them a more nutrient-dense option compared to many other sweet pastries.