Description
Spicy Louisiana Crawfish Cajun Pies bring southern coastal charm right to kitchen tables with irresistible flavors. Crisp pastry shells packed with zesty crawfish filling promise a delectable journey through Creole culinary traditions you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) crawfish tails, peeled and cleaned
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Seasonings and Binding:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for added spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and positioning a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal pie placement.
- Craft the aromatic base by sautéing diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic in melted butter until vegetables become soft and translucent.
- Introduce crawfish tails to the skillet, gently warming them through without overcooking to preserve their delicate texture.
- Enhance the mixture with breadcrumbs, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne, stirring until the filling reaches a cohesive, slightly thickened consistency.
- Incorporate freshly chopped green onions and parsley, removing the skillet from heat and allowing the filling to cool momentarily.
- Roll out pie dough on a lightly floured surface, cutting precise circles to match individual pie tin dimensions.
- Carefully line each tin with dough, pressing gently to create a smooth crust foundation.
- Generously spoon the cooled crawfish filling into each prepared pie shell.
- Crown each pie with a matching dough circle, meticulously sealing edges using fingertips or a fork to prevent filling escape.
- Brush pie tops with beaten egg to ensure a rich, golden-brown finish during baking.
- Transfer pies to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until crusts transform into a crisp, amber-hued delicacy.
- Allow pies to rest briefly after removing from oven, then serve warm with optional hot sauce for an extra flavor kick.
Notes
- Customize Spice Levels by gradually adding Cajun seasoning and cayenne, tasting as you go to match your heat preference without overwhelming the delicate crawfish flavor.
- Swap Protein Alternatives like shrimp or crab can seamlessly replace crawfish if unavailable, maintaining the authentic Cajun pie texture and taste.
- Make Ahead Magic by preparing filling and pie shells in advance, then refrigerating separately to save time during busy cooking sessions while preserving optimal freshness.
- Gluten-Free Option works perfectly by substituting regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives and using a gluten-free pie crust to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg