Air Fryer Empanadas: How Long To Cook Them Perfectly?

Empanadas are a popular snack with a flaky, crispy texture and a delicious filling. They can be made with various fillings, including chicken, beef, or vegetarian options, and are typically deep-fried. However, air-frying is a healthier alternative that produces equally tasty results with less grease and mess. Air-fried empanadas are ready in under 30 minutes and only require a few simple ingredients. But how long do you keep them in the air fryer?

How to cook empanadas in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Empanada dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. beef, chicken, cheese, vegetables)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of water
• Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray

Method

• Defrost the frozen empanada dough discs if using store-bought, or make your dough from scratch.
• Prepare your chosen filling. For a beef filling, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ground beef, and cumin. Cook until browned, then stir in any additional ingredients such as olives and raisins.
• Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each disc.
• Fold the dough in half and seal the edges with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking out.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush the egg wash onto the empanadas.
• Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with air fryer parchment paper.
• Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if necessary.
• Air fry at 325-400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Tips

• You can fill empanadas with just about anything! Try ground turkey, shredded chicken with salsa, chili, pizza fillings, taco meat, or lobster.
• If you don't eat eggs, you can skip the egg wash and just spritz the empanadas with olive oil.
• Serve with hot sauce, salsa, or guacamole.
• You can freeze uncooked empanadas for up to three months and cook them from frozen in the air fryer.

How to prepare the filling

Empanadas are fried, baked, or air-fried hand pies that can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, including meat, cheese, fish, or vegetables. Here are some ideas and instructions for preparing the filling for your empanadas:

Beef Filling:

To make a beef filling, you can start by cooking ground beef with spices such as cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add in other ingredients like onions, garlic, olives, and raisins. Cook the beef until it is browned and then let it cool before filling the empanadas.

Chicken Filling:

For a chicken filling, you can use shredded chicken with salsa, or you can try a mixture of chicken, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and cheese. You can also add in other ingredients like bell peppers for a fajita flavor.

Vegetarian Fillings:

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can try a mixture of black beans and corn with salsa, or sautéed cabbage. You can also make cheese empanadas by filling them with melted cheese, such as Jack Cheese, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or Mexican cheese.

Other Fillings:

There are endless possibilities for empanada fillings. You can try ground turkey, chili, lobster, or even pizza fillings with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of meat, vegetables, and spices.

Preparing the Filling:

Once you have chosen your filling ingredients, cook any raw ingredients thoroughly and let the mixture cool before filling the empanadas. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each empanada disc, being careful not to overfill. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges by pressing them together with your fingers or using a fork to crimp them shut.

Remember, the key to successful empanadas is to not overstuff them, as this can cause the filling to leak out during cooking.

How to make the egg wash

An egg wash is essential when making empanadas in an air fryer. It helps seal the edges of the pastry shut and gives the empanadas a gorgeous golden colour. The fat from the egg yolk helps the pastry to crisp up without the need for additional oil.

To make the egg wash, you will need:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon of water
• A small bowl
• A whisk
• A pastry brush

Firstly, crack the egg into the small bowl. Next, add the tablespoon of water. Whisk the egg and water together until they are fully combined. Then, using your pastry brush, lightly brush the mixture over the empanadas. Be careful not to apply too much egg wash, as this may result in an uneven look or potential burning.

Any leftover egg wash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to assemble the empanadas

Empanadas are a delicious, versatile dish that can be made with a variety of fillings and are perfect for a snack, appetizer, or even a full meal. Here is a detailed guide on how to assemble the empanadas:

Preparing the Dough:

Before you begin assembling the empanadas, it is important to prepare the empanada dough. You can make the dough by hand or using a food processor. The basic ingredients for the dough are flour, butter or another fat source like lard, and water or milk. You can also add an egg to the dough for a tighter seal. Some recipes also include annatto, which gives the dough a golden yellow color and a nutty, warm flavor.

Filling the Empanadas:

Once your dough is ready, it's time to start assembling! Take a golf-ball-sized piece of dough and roll it out into a thin circle, about 1/4 inch thick and 5 inches in diameter. Place this circle of dough in front of you, and you're ready to add the filling.

For a large empanada, you'll need about 2 tablespoons of filling, while a few teaspoons are enough for a smaller one. Be careful not to overfill, as this will make it difficult to seal your empanada properly. Keep the filling towards one side of the dough to make shaping easier. You can fill your empanadas with anything from meat, like beef, chicken, or pork, to vegetables, cheese, or even a sweet filling like guava or apple.

Sealing the Empanadas:

After adding your desired filling, it's time to seal your empanada. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-circle, encasing the filling inside. Use your fingers to press the edges of the dough together, sealing it tightly. You can also use a fork to crimp and press the edges for a prettier finish and a tighter seal. This step ensures that your empanada won't leak during cooking.

Egg Wash and Final Touches:

Before placing your empanadas in the air fryer, give them an egg wash. Mix an egg with a small amount of water, and brush this mixture over the empanadas. This step gives them a gorgeous golden color and helps seal them shut. If you can't use eggs, you can simply spray or brush the empanadas with olive oil.

Now, your empanadas are almost ready for the air fryer! Place them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps the empanadas seal better and prevents the filling from leaking.

Air Frying the Empanadas:

Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with air fryer parchment paper. Place the empanadas in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.

And there you have it! Delicious, crispy empanadas made in your air fryer. Enjoy them as a snack, appetizer, or a meal. You can also experiment with different fillings and serve them with salsa, guacamole, or a side salad.

How to store and reheat empanadas

Empanadas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. To store empanadas in the refrigerator, place them on a baking sheet and cover them with plastic wrap. For the freezer, it is best to first flash freeze the unbaked empanadas on a sheet pan before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.

There are several ways to reheat empanadas, including using an air fryer, oven, toaster oven, cast-iron skillet, deep fryer, or microwave. When reheating empanadas, it is best to do so gradually. Here are the instructions for each method:

Air Fryer:

• Set the air fryer to 350°F.
• Place the empanadas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.
• Reheat for 3-4 minutes for cooked empanadas or 8-10 minutes for uncooked empanadas, or until hot and crispy.

Oven:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F.
• Place the empanadas on a baking sheet and heat for 10 minutes if frozen or 5-7 minutes if chilled, or until warmed through.

Toaster Oven:

• Preheat the toaster oven to 300°F.
• Place the empanadas on the toaster oven rack, ensuring they are not layered.
• Reheat for 10 minutes, or until warmed through. For larger empanadas, you may need to heat for longer.

Cast Iron Skillet:

• Preheat a cast-iron skillet to medium and add a small layer of oil.
• Place the empanadas in the skillet and heat, turning regularly, until golden and warmed through.

Deep Fryer:

• Preheat the deep fryer to 350°F.
• Fry the empanadas for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.

Microwave:

Place the empanadas on a plate and microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Note that microwaving empanadas can make them soft and soggy.

Frequently asked questions