Cody Casey
Empanadas are a delicious handheld meal that can be cooked in an air fryer. They are a popular street food with roots in Spain, but most people associate them with Latin American cuisine. They are made with a soft dough that is wrapped around a flavorful filling and then cooked until golden and crispy. The beauty of empanadas is that they are highly customizable and versatile. You can fill them with anything from ground beef, chicken, or turkey to cheese, cabbage, or black beans and corn. The dough can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the cooking time is usually around 8-10 minutes in the air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 325°F to 400°F |
| Time | 8-10 minutes |
| Filling | Beef, chicken, turkey, cheese, vegetables, beans, etc. |
| Dough | Empanada discs, pie crust, biscuit dough, crescent roll dough, Greek yogurt dough, etc. |
| Coating | Egg wash, olive oil |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-4 days, freeze for up to 5-6 months |
| Reheating | Preheat air fryer to 350°F, cook for 8-12 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Filling options
Empanadas are a Latin American dish, with roots tracing back to Spain. They are made by wrapping dough around a filling and cooking until crispy and golden. The traditional recipe uses pork or ground beef, but there are many variations and filling options to choose from.
For a classic take on empanadas, try using ground beef with peppers, onions, and garlic. You can also add olives, raisins, and cumin to the mixture. If you want to make chicken empanadas, fill them with onions, bell peppers, and chicken for a fajita-inspired flavour. You can also make them with shredded chicken and salsa, or try a spicier option with buffalo chicken. For a vegetarian option, fill your empanadas with black beans, corn, and salsa, or try a vegan option with garlicky spinach and non-dairy cheese. If you're making breakfast empanadas, you can fill them with eggs, bacon, and cheese.
For dessert, you could make apple or strawberry cheesecake empanadas, or fill them with sweet potato or Nutella. For a more savoury dessert option, try empanadas with tangy goat cheese and blueberries.
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Dough options
Empanadas are usually made with a soft dough that is wrapped around a filling and then deep-fried. However, when cooked in an air fryer, you can use a variety of dough options to achieve the same golden, flaky crust without the grease.
One option is to use store-bought empanada dough, which can be found in the freezer section of many supermarkets. This is a convenient choice if you don't want to make your own dough from scratch. You can also use frozen empanada "discos," which are similar to premade wrappers and come in different sizes and colours. These discs can be filled and folded in half before being sealed with a fork.
If you prefer to make your own dough, there are several recipes available. One recipe includes flour, salt, baking powder, butter, egg, and water. The dough is then rolled out and cut into rounds before being filled and folded. Another recipe uses a Jiffy pie crust mix, which is combined with water to form a dough that can be rolled out and cut into portions for filling. You can also use crescent roll dough, biscuit dough, or even Greek yogurt dough as a base for your empanadas.
No matter which dough option you choose, the cooking method and time will remain the same. Simply brush the empanadas with an egg wash to achieve a golden colour, and cook in your air fryer at 330°F to 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
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Cooking times
The cooking time for empanadas in an air fryer depends on whether they are fresh or frozen. Fresh empanadas should be cooked for 8-10 minutes at 325°F to 350°F, flipping halfway through. Frozen empanadas should be cooked for 12-15 minutes at 350°F, or until piping hot, turning halfway through.
If you are reheating cooked empanadas, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
The cooking time will also depend on the size of your empanadas and the size of your air fryer. You should cook the empanadas in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap, and you may need to cook them in batches. A 2.6-quart air fryer can fit 2 large empanadas, while an air fryer oven can fit 6 large empanadas.
It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for 1-3 minutes to ensure even cooking. You can also spray your air fryer with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the empanadas from sticking.
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Reheating
Empanadas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer and cook at 330°F to 350°F for about 5 minutes or until thoroughly reheated. You can also reheat frozen empanadas in the air fryer. To do this, set the air fryer to 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes or until piping hot.
If you have frozen uncooked empanadas, you can cook them directly from frozen. Set the air fryer to 350°F to 370°F for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and hot.
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![Top 50 Most Delicious Empanada Recipes: A Cookbook with Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey and more - Vol. 2 [Books on Meat Pies, Samosas, Calzones and Turnovers] (T50MD 2)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-Ype3YgJL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Storing
If you want to freeze your empanadas, let them cool completely before doing so. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer the empanadas to a freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
To reheat frozen empanadas, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the frozen empanadas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Spritz with oil for extra crispiness, if desired. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 325°F to 330°F.
Air fry your empanadas for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
This depends on the size of your air fryer and the size of your empanadas. You can likely fit 2 to 6 large empanadas in a single layer in your air fryer.
You can store empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Yes, you can freeze empanadas. Wrap them individually and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 to 6 months.
![Top 100 Most Delicious Empanada Recipes: A Cookbook with Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey and more - [Books on Meat Pies, Samosas, Calzones and Turnovers] (T100MD 1)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71id5Ar0zXL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
