Air-Fried Empanadas: A Tasty, Quick, And Easy Treat

Empanadas are a popular snack with roots in Spain and Latin America. They are made by wrapping a soft dough around a variety of fillings, such as chicken, beef, or cheese, and then deep-frying them. However, you may be wondering if it's possible to make them in an air fryer. The answer is yes! Air-fried empanadas are not only possible, but they also turn out perfectly crispy and golden without the extra grease that comes from deep-frying.

Choosing the right dough

Empanadas are a savoury treat with their roots in Spain, but they are now a popular street food in Latin America. They are made by wrapping dough around a filling—this can be anything from beef to chicken, cheese, or vegetables—before deep-frying, baking, or air-frying them.

When it comes to choosing the right dough for your empanadas, you have a few options. You can make your own from scratch, or you can opt for store-bought dough. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

Making Your Own Dough

If you want to make your own dough, you'll need just a few basic ingredients: flour, butter or lard, salt, water, and an egg. This dough is easy to make and work with, but it can be time-consuming, especially if you're making a large batch of empanadas. Here's a basic recipe to follow:

• Cut the butter or lard into the flour until it forms a crumbly consistency.
• Add salt to taste and stir.
• Pour in the water and egg and stir until a clumpy dough forms.
• Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, then chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough out into thin, flat circles.

Store-Bought Dough Options

If you're short on time or simply want to streamline the empanada-making process, you can opt for store-bought dough. Here are some options to consider:

• Empanada Discos: These are frozen "discos" of dough that are already rolled out to the perfect thickness. You can usually find them in the freezer section of supermarkets, often in the same case as other Latin foods. They come in different sizes—large discs are perfect for meal-sized empanadas, while small discs are great for appetizers or snacks. You can also choose between white dough or dough with annatto, which has a golden yellow colour and a nutty, warm flavour.
• Pie Crust Dough: In a pinch, you can use store-bought pie crust dough to make empanadas. It will produce a flakier result than traditional empanada dough and is better for baking than frying.
• Puff Pastry or Pizza Dough: Some easy empanada recipes call for using puff pastry or pizza dough, but these don't have the right texture for traditional empanadas. Puff pastry is too light and flaky, while pizza dough is too bready.

Tips for Success

Whether you make your own dough or use store-bought, here are a few tips to ensure your empanadas turn out perfectly:

• Don't overfill your empanadas. This can make them difficult to seal and may cause the filling to leak out.
• Seal the empanadas tightly to prevent leaks during cooking. You can use a fork to crimp and seal the edges or use your hands to press and twist the edges together.
• If baking or air-frying, brush the empanadas with an egg wash (a mixture of beaten egg and water) before cooking to give them a golden colour.
• If frying, you may need to add a little oil to your skillet or air fryer to ensure even cooking.

Filling options

Empanadas can be filled with anything from chicken to cheese to vegetables, but you can also use ground beef, ground turkey, or even lobster. Here are some ideas for filling options:

Beef Empanadas:

You can make beef empanadas with leftover picadillo or ground beef, and add in some cumin, olives, and raisins for extra flavour.

Chicken Empanadas:

Shredded chicken with salsa, or chicken with onions and bell peppers for a fajita flavour, are both tasty options.

Vegetarian Empanadas:

For a vegetarian option, you can use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and cheese, or black beans and corn with salsa.

Other Meat Fillings:

Ground turkey, lobster, or taco meat are all possible fillings.

Cheese:

Cheese is a popular filling option, especially melty varieties.

Sweet Empanadas:

For a dessert option, you can fill empanadas with fruit, such as apples or peaches, and add cinnamon.

Other Savory Fillings:

Other savoury fillings could include sauteed cabbage, chilli, or pumpkin.

Spicy Kick:

Add some jalapeños to the filling to give your empanadas a spicy kick.

Breakfast Empanadas:

Fill your empanadas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and cooked bacon or sausage for a breakfast option.

Pizza Empanadas:

For pizza lovers, fill your empanadas with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Pumpkin Empanadas:

Though a recipe is not provided, pumpkin empanadas are mentioned as an option.

Sealing the empanadas

Step 1: Prepare the Dough and Filling

Before you begin sealing, it's important to have your empanada dough and filling ready. You can make your own dough or opt for store-bought empanada discs, which are typically found in the freezer section of supermarkets. For the filling, you can choose from a variety of options, such as beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetables.

Step 2: Portion the Filling

Place one empanada disc in front of you and spoon the desired filling onto the centre, using about 2 tablespoons for a large empanada or a few teaspoons for a smaller one. It's important not to overfill the disc, as this can cause the empanada to burst open during cooking. Keep the filling slightly off-centre, as this will make shaping the empanada easier.

Step 3: Fold and Seal

Once you've portioned the filling, it's time to fold the dough over to form a half circle, encasing the filling inside. Use your fingers to press the edges of the dough together firmly, ensuring that there are no gaps or openings. Then, use a fork to crimp the edges, creating a decorative pattern and reinforcing the seal. This step is crucial, as it helps prevent the filling from leaking out during air frying.

Step 4: Repeat the Process

After sealing the first empanada, continue the process with the remaining dough and filling. It's important to work with one empanada disc at a time to ensure that the seals are secure and that the filling is evenly distributed.

Step 5: Apply the Egg Wash (Optional)

Before air frying, you can optionally apply an egg wash to the empanadas. Beat an egg with a small amount of water, and brush this mixture over the empanadas. This step adds a golden colour and shine to the pastry.

Tips for Sealing:

• Try to remove as much air as possible from the pocket before sealing. Excess air can expand during air frying, causing the empanada to puff up and making it challenging to cook evenly.
• If you're making a large batch, consider freezing some uncooked empanadas for later. They freeze well and can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer.

The egg wash

To make the egg wash, simply whisk together an egg and a tablespoon of water. You can use the entire egg or just the egg whites, depending on your preference. Brush this mixture onto the empanadas before placing them in the air fryer.

If you don't eat eggs, you can simply spray the empanadas with some olive oil before air frying. This will help them crisp up and give them a similar golden colour.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for empanadas in an air fryer will depend on the type of dough and filling used, as well as the size of the empanadas and the air fryer being used. However, here is a general guide:

After preparing your empanada filling and assembling the empanadas, you will need to air fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the empanadas in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them, and air fry at around 325-350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp. Flip the empanadas halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

If you are using frozen empanadas, you can cook them directly from frozen. Simply add a couple of minutes to the cooking time, following the same instructions as above.

For best results, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer for 1-2 minutes before adding the empanadas. This helps to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

When reheating cooked empanadas, place them back in the air fryer at 330-350°F for about 5-12 minutes, or until they are piping hot and crispy again.

Frequently asked questions