Air-Fryer Magic: Frozen Empanadas, Perfectly Crispy!

Empanadas are a Latin American favourite, and can be baked or fried handheld savoury turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or veggies. You can make frozen empanadas in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes. The air fryer is good at heating up frozen foods and can cook empanadas to a flaky perfection.

How long does it take to cook frozen empanadas in an air fryer?

Air fryer frozen empanadas are a quick and easy meal to make, and they come out perfectly crispy. The length of time it takes to cook frozen empanadas in an air fryer depends on the size of the empanadas and the type of air fryer being used.

For example, Goya empanadas take around 9 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 360 °F, whereas Trader Joe's chicken and chimichurri empanadas take 12 minutes. Mini empanadas take 7 minutes.

It's important to note that you should always preheat your air fryer before adding the frozen empanadas. The preheating time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer, but it usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes.

Additionally, it's best to place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook the empanadas in batches if you have a large number of them.

The total cooking time for frozen empanadas in an air fryer is typically around 15 minutes, but it can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your empanadas while they're cooking to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

The ideal temperature to set your air fryer to when cooking frozen empanadas is around 350ºF. However, the exact temperature may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer and the size of your empanadas. For example, one source recommends cooking frozen empanadas at 330ºF for 8 minutes, while another suggests 400ºF for 9 minutes.

It's worth noting that some recipes call for an egg wash or oil to be applied to the empanadas before cooking, which may affect the ideal cooking temperature. Additionally, if your air fryer does not have a built-in preheat functionality, you should preheat it for around 4 to 5 minutes before adding the empanadas.

To ensure your empanadas are cooked through, it's recommended to check on them a few minutes before the suggested cooking time is up and adjust the recipe as needed.

What are some good dipping sauces for empanadas?

There are many sauces that can be used for dipping empanadas, each with its own unique flavour profile. Here are some options to try:

Peruvian Aji Amarillo Sauce

This sauce is made from yellow chilli peppers and adds a delightful fruity and slightly spicy kick to empanadas.

Spicy Chipotle Mayo

A creamy and smoky sauce with a subtle kick that will keep you coming back for more.

Peruvian Green Sauce

Also known as Aji Verde, this sauce is made with jalapeno, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and Greek yogurt. It is spicy, versatile, and perfect as a dipping sauce.

Chimichurri

A tangy and herbaceous sauce made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. It adds a burst of freshness to your empanadas.

Tomato Salsa

A fresh and tangy salsa made with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a hint of lime juice. It perfectly complements the savoury fillings of empanadas.

Tangy Cilantro Lime Sauce

The combination of fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, and a touch of garlic creates a refreshing and invigorating flavour profile.

Creamy Garlic Aioli

A velvety and garlicky sauce that adds a luxurious element to your empanadas.

Jalapeño Ranch

A creamy sauce with a distinct herb flavour and a subtle spicy kick.

Sweet Mango Chutney

The combination of juicy sweetness from ripe mangoes and aromatic spices creates a flavour explosion that dances on your taste buds.

Smoky Adobo Sauce

A bold sauce made with smoky chipotle peppers, earthy spices, and tangy vinegar. It adds depth and complexity to your empanadas.

Fiery Habanero Salsa

This salsa is for those who like their food spicy. The intense heat of the habanero peppers will set your taste buds ablaze.

How do you prevent empanadas from leaking?

Empanadas are delicious, but there's nothing worse than when they burst and leak their filling! Here are some tips to prevent that from happening:

Firstly, make sure your filling isn't too runny. A saucy filling is great, but if it's too wet, it may spill or overflow when sealing, which can cause leakage later. If you want a saucier filling, use gelatin to thicken it up. For every 2 cups of liquid, use 1 10-gram sachet of powdered gelatin, bloomed for 5 minutes in 1/4 cup of cold water.

Secondly, don't overfill your empanadas. It might be tempting, but too much filling will cause your empanada to burst. It will also be harder to seal. As a rule of thumb, 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of filling in a half-circle mound in the centre is plenty.

Thirdly, make sure you're not leaving a lot of air inside your empanadas when you seal them. As the air heats up, it expands, which can cause bursting. Also, try to avoid getting filling on the edges of the dough, as the fat in the filling can make it harder for the edges to seal.

Finally, when cooking, consider poking a few holes in the top of the empanadas with a toothpick or fork prong, or cutting a slit to vent steam. This will help prevent bursting.

Happy cooking!

Can you make your own frozen empanadas?

Yes, you can make your own frozen empanadas. Empanadas are made by folding filling into a pastry dough and then either baking or frying. You can use store-bought empanada dough, or make your own by combining flour, butter, and salt.

To make your own frozen empanadas, start by preparing your filling. You can fill empanadas with anything you like, from meat to vegetables and cheese. Once your filling is ready, allow it to cool, then spoon it onto your empanada dough, leaving a small gap around the edge. Fold the dough over, and seal it by pressing the edges together with your fingers or using a fork.

Once your empanadas are assembled, you can freeze them. Place the unbaked empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once they're frozen solid, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer bag. Frozen empanadas will keep for up to three months.

When you're ready to eat your frozen empanadas, you can cook them in an air fryer, in the oven, on the grill, or in a skillet. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 330-350°F and cook the empanadas for 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown. If cooking in the oven, preheat to 400°F and bake for 20-25 minutes. For grilling, heat your grill to 350°F and cook for 5-7 minutes per side. Finally, to cook your empanadas in a skillet, heat a small amount of oil in the skillet over medium-low heat and cook for 10-12 minutes per side.

Frequently asked questions