Emilie Meyer
Pastelillos, also known as empanadas, are savoury pastries that are typically stuffed with a mixture of meat and vegetables and then deep-fried. However, they can also be cooked in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The cooking time for pastelillos in an air fryer depends on the desired level of crispiness and the temperature used. At 360 degrees, it takes about 9-11 minutes, while at 380-400 degrees, it takes 5-7 minutes. The air fryer basket should be sprayed with cooking spray, and the pastelillos should be cooked in a single layer, with 3-6 pastelillos per batch, depending on the size of the air fryer.
Cooking Pastelillos in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 360-380°F for 3 minutes |
| Number of pastelillos | 3-4 |
| Temperature | 360-400°F |
| Time | 5-11 minutes |
| Turnover Filling | Beef, chicken, ham, cheese, beans, potatoes, guava paste, etc. |
| Dough | Wonton-like dough, not pizza dough or puff pastry |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. While some air fryer manuals may not require it, preheating can help your pastelillos cook more evenly. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for 1 to 3 to 5 minutes.
To preheat your air fryer, start by setting the temperature to 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can then set the timer for 3 minutes. If you don't have a timer on your air fryer, keep an eye on the clock or use a separate timer so you don't lose track of time.
Once the preheating is complete, the air fryer will shut off. At this point, you can remove the pan or basket. It is important to handle it with care as it will be hot. The next step is to spray the basket with cooking spray. This will help ensure that your pastelillos don't stick to the surface.
After preheating and spraying, your air fryer basket will be ready for you to place your pastelillos inside and begin the cooking process. Remember to place them in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
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Assemble pastelillos
Pastelillos are small turnovers made with a thin dough, similar to pasta dough, that is crimped at the edges and fried. The dough is a simple mixture of flour, shortening or butter, egg, and water. The possibilities for pastelillos are endless. The most traditional filling is picadillo (seasoned ground beef), but chicken, ham and cheese, and pizza pastelillos are also quite popular. They are completely customisable, and you can add cheese, make vegetarian pastelillos with beans and potatoes, or even throw together dessert pastelillos with guava paste and cheese or nearly any other ingredients your imagination can come up with.
To assemble pastelillos, start by preparing the filling. For a simple picadillo filling, brown the ground beef with onions, and Adobo seasoning. Drain the ground beef and add the remaining seasonings and cilantro. Cook for another minute. You can also add shredded cheese to the filling if desired. Allow the filling to cool before assembling the pastelillos.
Next, roll out the dough and cut it into discs. Add a slice of cheese to the centre of each disc, followed by 3-4 tablespoons of the meat filling. Fold over the dough disc and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat this process until you have assembled at least three pastelillos, as you will be working in batches when air frying.
Once assembled, it is time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 325°F to 400°F, depending on how crispy you like your pastelillos, and the timer to 3 minutes. Once the timer is up, remove the pan, spray the basket with cooking spray, and place 2-6 pastelillos in a single layer in the basket. You can now air fry your pastelillos for 5-11 minutes, depending on the temperature, until they reach the desired level of crispiness.
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Cook at 360-400°F for 5-11 minutes
To cook pastelillos in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F for three to five minutes. Once preheated, add a single layer of pastelillos to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit between two and six pastelillos in one batch.
Spray the pastelillos with cooking spray or brush with an egg wash to help them turn golden brown and crisp. Then, air fry at 360°F to 400°F for 5 to 11 minutes, or until they reach the desired level of crispiness. At 360°F, this will take about 9 to 11 minutes, while at 370°F, it will take 7 to 9 minutes, and at 380-400°F, it will take 5 to 7 minutes.
You may need to cook the pastelillos in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. If you are cooking them in batches, repeat the process until all the pastelillos are cooked. Remember to let the air fryer cool down for a minute or two between batches to ensure even cooking.
Your pastelillos are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. Serve them immediately, or let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
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Use frozen store-bought empanada dough
Pastelillos, also known as empanadas, are savory pastries that are typically stuffed with a mixture of meat and vegetables. They are similar to Puerto Rican empanadas and can be made using frozen store-bought empanada dough. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make pastelillos using frozen store-bought empanada dough in an air fryer:
Step 1: Choosing the Dough and Filling
Firstly, choose the type of dough and filling you prefer. For the dough, you can opt for frozen empanada "discos" in either large or small sizes, depending on whether you want meal-sized or snack-sized pastelillos. You can also choose between white dough or dough with annatto added, which has a golden yellow color and a nutty, warm flavor. As for the filling, traditional options include picadillo (seasoned ground beef), chicken, ham and cheese, or pizza toppings. However, you can also get creative and make vegetarian pastelillos with beans and potatoes or even dessert versions with guava paste and cheese.
Step 2: Preparing the Filling
To prepare the filling, you can follow this basic recipe: Chop onion, bell pepper, and cilantro, and mince garlic. Heat achiote oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and vegetables, cooking until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender. Season with adobo, sazon, salt, and pepper to taste. Then, add tomato sauce and water, starting with a quarter cup and adjusting as needed. Finally, add olives and a bay leaf, and simmer for 5-10 minutes to blend the flavors. Allow the filling to cool before adding it to the dough.
Step 3: Assembling the Pastelillos
Place a frozen empanada disc on a clean, flat surface. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared filling onto the center of the disc. Dip your finger into the egg wash and run it along the edge of the dough to help seal it. Then, fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, encasing the filling inside. Use a fork to crimp and press the edges of the dough together, ensuring a tight seal so that the filling doesn't leak out. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and filling.
Step 4: Cooking the Pastelillos in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (some sources suggest 325°F or 330°F, depending on your air fryer model). Brush the tops of the pastelillos with an egg wash or spray them with cooking spray. Place the pastelillos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Serving and Storing
Let the pastelillos cool slightly before serving. They can be served as a stand-alone dish, with salsa for dunking, or paired with a side salad, rice and beans, or soup for a heartier meal. Cooked pastelillos can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the air fryer at 330°F for about 5 minutes. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated in the air fryer, making them a convenient option for meal prep.
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Make a Puerto Rican picadillo filling
To make a Puerto Rican picadillo filling, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Alliums (onions and garlic)
- Pepper
- Seasonings and vegetables (such as potatoes, peas, olives, and raisins)
- Tomato sauce or paste
- Water
- Salt
You may also want to add some kind of oil, such as olive oil or achiote oil, and Adobo seasoning.
Heat up a skillet or pan to medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or achiote oil. Add diced onions, garlic, and sofrito to the pan and sauté until the onions are translucent. If you don't have sofrito, you can use recaito, a mixture of aromatics and recao (similar to cilantro but with a more intense flavor). You can usually find recao at Asian or Latin American grocery stores.
Next, drizzle the remaining olive oil, Adobo seasoning, and salt over the ground beef. Add the beef to the skillet and brown it for about 6-7 minutes. If using, you can also add the bell pepper at this stage. Drain the beef and add any remaining seasonings.
Now, add the rest of your ingredients to the skillet: potatoes, olives, bay leaves, water or tomato sauce, and tomato paste. If you're using raisins, add them now. Give everything a good stir and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, turn down the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Your Puerto Rican picadillo filling is now ready to be used in pastelillos or empanadas! Remember, you can always get creative and add your own twist to the recipe.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook pastelillos in the air fryer for 8-11 minutes at 360-400°F.
You should cook pastelillos at 360-400°F. The higher the temperature, the shorter the cooking time.
First, preheat your air fryer for 1-5 minutes. Then, assemble your pastelillos and place them in the air fryer in a single layer, spraying the tops with cooking spray.
The most traditional filling for pastelillos is picadillo, made with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and spices.
