This spicy Vegan Samosa Pie is like one big version of your favourite Indian appetiser. Get the recipe below.
Indian fusion food
I first posted this Vegan Samosa Pie recipe way back in 2012. The internet is now rife with copycats. This recipe has served me well over the last 10 years or so and it still regularly appears on our meal plan. But what's all the fuss about?
I'm not often a fan of dishes that have been deconstructed and then put back together again without any rhyme or reason, but the Vegan Samosa Pie is a little bit different. The idea was that I'd take the flavours of a traditional Indian snack and make it a little bit healthier (by skipping out the frying) and turning it into a hearty dinner that the whole family can enjoy.
Filo pastry has lots of uses, not just for wrapping up tasty samosas but also as a healthier alternative to puff or shortcrust pastry on the top of pies. What I've done is to take the spiced mince filling of a samosa, and baked it in a deep pie dish with a crispy filo pastry top. It's a mix of an Indian classic but with a more British delivery.
Just like samosas, I recommend serving this Vegan Samosa Pie with a wedge or two of lemon. It will remind you of your favourite takeaway side dish.
Make it vegan
Most of the variations of this recipe on the internet use lamb mince as that's a traditional filling for many samosa. But, being vegan I decided to swap the lamb mince for soy mince and extra veggies.
Mince meat substitutes can be quite pricey if you buy them in the refrigerated section. Frozen is cheaper but my new favourite way to buy vegan mince is to buy dehydrated soy mince. It's the cheapest way of purchasing vegan mince and it lasts in the cupboard for ages.
If you can't eat soy then you could, of course, swap this for your favourite mince meat substitute. There are pea protein alternatives on the market now as well as some made from mushroom and even quinoa. We are spoilt for choice!
The recipe
Samosa Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 large white onion finely diced
- 1 pinch salt
- 300 g potato finely diced
- 2 carrots finely diced
- 200 ml water
- 500 g soy mince or similar meat free mince
- 2 garlic garlic crushed
- 1.5 teaspoon ginger ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon hot chilli powder
- 2 teaspoon garam masala
- 150 g peas frozen
- 2 sheets filo pastry
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat the oil and add the cumin seeds over a medium heat. Toast the cumin seeds for a few minutes before they begin to release their aroma.
- Add the onions, salt and the other spices, including the garlic and cook for 5-10 minutes until the onions are translucent and have softened.
- Next add the diced carrot and potato onion and cook for another 15 minutes or until the potatoes have begun to soften.
- Add the water, cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Once the water has evaporated add the mince along with the remaining spices and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
- Stir through the frozen peas then transfer to a deed pie dish and top with each of the filo pastry sheets, scrunching to create a crinkled effect before adding to the pie dish.
- Brush the filo with a little extra oil and place into an oven at 180 C for roughly 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp.
- Serve with the lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Serve with...
We also served the Samosa Pie with Great Eastern India Pale Ale from Redchurch Brewery. Without spoiling what he's got to say against the beer, the IPA was light and refreshing with worked really well against the rich and spicy Samosa Pie filling and crisp filo top. Personally I'm partial to a Gin & Tonic, particularly paired with Indian food.
What would you drink alongside this Samosa Pie? Let me know in the comments below!
More Indian inspired recipes
If you like this recipe, then hopefully you'll love one of these other recipes inspired by the flavours of India.
For the full range of Indian inspired recipes check out the archive below.
Global cuisine categories and more can be found in my Recipe Index.
kerrycooks says
What a fantastic idea! So original 🙂
efwalt says
Thanks Kerry. I love how easy it is to make this vegetarian too - good old quorn mince!
LifestyleswithLia says
OK, this seriously is making me hungry! Wow, you've got a great recipe here! I adore samosas and being a pie would make it all the better! Looks absolutely delicious!
efwalt says
Thanks Lia! My motto is if it tastes good snack size it will taste AMAZING family size 😀 after all bigger is better!!!
LifestyleswithLia says
Lol! I couldn't agree more: )!
familyfriendsfoodblog says
What a great idea! This looks like a really delicious family dinner.
Sarah says
That pastry looks so nice! And it's good to know it's a little healthier than puff/shortcrust pastry.
efwalt says
Thanks Sarah! Using filo instead of puff or shortcrust is one of my top tips when going on a diet 🙂
Jo's Kitchen (@Jos_Kitchen) says
This sounds lovely. Very original!
efwalt says
Thanks Jo!
isabellasewell1 says
This looks so hearty and delicious! I love the idea of a spiced pie on a cold evening - yum!
efwalt says
Thanks Isabella! With the rubbish weather we are having here at the minute a hearty pie is definitely welcome!!!
fabfood4all says
Pure genius - that is all!
efwalt says
Haha short and sweet 🙂 thank you! It means a lot 🙂
Anita-Clare Field says
Oh this is fabulous. I <3 it Adding more pastry to the shopping list as I type.
efwalt says
Fantastic! Would love to see pictures if you make it Anita-Clare 😀
Notmyyearoff says
This looks yummy, have stumbled! 🙂
efwalt says
Thanks Not My Year Off 😀
laura_howtocook says
What a brilliant idea, but so much healthier than eating the pastry on a regular samosa. Love the filo topping, so pretty too!
efwalt says
Thanks Laura! I love the crinkly effect the filo gives too 🙂 every pie is different!
Julie says
I'm going to make this this evening. I'll let you know how it goes!
Also, I know you're a veggie household, but I'm making pulled pork for Christmas eve supper and I've started a trifle for tomorrow which is going to have (accidentally) blue custard! ;-]
Emma Walton says
Oooh do let me know how you get on tonight 😀 I am a big fan of pulled pork but never made it myself... Intrigued by your blue custard too...care to explain? 🙂
Katie says
Very very good! I looove a samosa but always see them as a bit naughty, nevermind fiddly to fold. I've also made it with a scant lattice of puff too when I couldn't get filo, and scattered fennel seeds on the top. Proper. Thank you ❤️