Air-Fried Cheese Empanadas: Easy, Quick, Delicious!

Empanadas are a Spanish hand pie, or a dough pocket, typically filled with protein such as ground beef, veggies, or cheese. They can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes, and they turn out perfectly crispy without the extra oil used in deep frying.

To make cheese empanadas in an air fryer, you'll need flour, salt, canola oil, water, and shredded cheese. You can use store-bought empanada dough or make your own by combining flour, salt, oil, and water. Roll out the dough, fill it with cheese, seal it, and then air fry for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Choosing the right dough

The type of dough you use for your cheese empanadas can make or break the dish. Empanada dough is typically similar to a savoury pie crust, and is made with flour, butter, and salt. Here are some tips to help you choose the right dough for your air fryer cheese empanadas:

Store-Bought vs. Homemade Dough

You can opt for store-bought empanada dough, which is typically sold as frozen "discos" or "discs" in the freezer section of supermarkets. This dough is already rolled out to the perfect thickness, saving you time and effort. However, if you prefer to make your own dough, you can follow a basic recipe using flour, oil or butter, salt, and water.

Dough Texture and Flavour

The ideal empanada dough should be soft, tender, and slightly less flaky than pie crust dough. While some recipes suggest using puff pastry or pizza dough, these may not provide the right texture for your cheese empanadas. Puff pastry tends to be too light and flaky, while pizza dough can be too bready. If you're in a pinch, pie crust dough can be used, but it may add a slightly sweeter flavour to your empanadas.

Disc Size and Colour

When choosing store-bought empanada discs, consider the size and colour options. Larger discs are perfect for meal-sized empanadas, while smaller discs are ideal for appetizers or snacks. You can also find discs in white or with annatto added. Annatto gives the dough a golden yellow colour and a nutty, warm flavour similar to paprika or turmeric.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options

If you have dietary restrictions, you can make gluten-free or dairy-free empanadas. For gluten-free empanadas, use gluten-free empanada dough, which can be found in specialty stores or made at home using gluten-free flour blends. To make dairy-free empanadas, simply skip the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese substitute.

Storage and Reheating

If you're making a large batch of empanadas, proper storage and reheating techniques are important. Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp them up again.

Filling options

Empanadas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, from meat to vegetables and cheese. Here are some filling options to consider for your cheese empanadas:

Cheese

For cheese empanadas, you can use shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, white or yellow cheddar cheese, or a combination of different cheeses. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended for the best flavour and melting texture.

Meat

If you want to add meat to your empanadas, you can use ground beef, ground turkey, shredded chicken, or taco meat. For a more exotic option, you can try making lobster empanadas. You can also experiment with different spices and ingredients to create variations such as spicy beef empanadas with jalapeños or chicken empanadas with salsa.

Vegetarian

For a vegetarian option, you can fill your empanadas with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and cheese. You can also try black beans and corn with salsa for a tasty and hearty meatless option.

Breakfast Empanadas

For a breakfast twist, fill your empanadas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and cooked bacon or sausage.

Sweet Empanadas

For a dessert option, try using a fruit filling such as apples or peaches with cinnamon.

Remember, the beauty of empanadas is that you can get creative with your fillings and experiment with different combinations to suit your taste preferences.

Sealing the empanadas

Preparing the Dough and Filling:

Before sealing, you'll need to prepare your empanada dough and filling. You can make the dough from scratch by combining flour, oil, salt, and water, or use store-bought empanada discs. For the filling, shred your choice of cheese; Monterey Jack or a combination of cheeses is recommended.

Assembling the Empanadas:

Place a heaping tablespoon of shredded cheese in the centre of each dough circle. If using store-bought discs, place the filling slightly off-centre. Now, the sealing process begins:

Step 1: Moistening the Edges:

Dip your fingers in water and trace it along the outer half of the circle. This step is important as the water will help seal the dough when you fold it over.

Step 2: Folding and Sealing:

Gently fold the dough over the filling, creating a half-circle shape. Press the two sides of the dough together firmly to create an initial seal. This step ensures that the filling is enclosed and less likely to leak.

Step 3: Crimping with a Fork:

Use a fork to carefully crimp the edges of the empanada. This step not only ensures a tighter seal but also gives the empanada a pretty, decorative edge. Press the tines of the fork along the sealed edge of the empanada, pressing the two layers of dough together as you go.

Step 4: Brushing with Egg Wash:

In a small bowl, whisk together an egg and a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over the sealed empanadas. This step not only helps to further seal the empanadas but also gives them a gorgeous golden colour when cooked.

Final Step: Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to around 325-400°F. Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for approximately 8 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

By following these steps, your cheese empanadas should be well-sealed and ready for cooking. Enjoy the delicious, crispy results!

Air fryer settings

Preheating:

Start by preheating your air fryer. This step is essential to ensure even cooking and to help the empanadas cook more evenly. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 325°F and 400°F.

Cooking Temperature and Time:

After preheating, it's time to cook your empanadas. The cooking temperature and time may vary slightly depending on the recipe and the size of your empanadas. Set your air fryer between 325°F and 400°F. The cooking time will range from 8 to 15 minutes. For smaller empanadas, 8 minutes at 325°F to 350°F should be sufficient. Larger empanadas might need a higher temperature of 400°F and a longer cooking time of up to 15 minutes.

Flipping and Spraying:

Halfway through the cooking process, it's important to flip your empanadas to ensure even cooking on both sides. After flipping, spray the empanadas with cooking spray or brush them with an egg wash. This step adds to the golden colour and crispiness of the pastry.

Batch Cooking:

Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of empanadas you're making, you might need to cook them in batches. Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space. Cooking in batches ensures that the hot air circulates effectively and that the empanadas cook evenly.

Reheating and Storage:

If you have leftover empanadas, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the empanadas inside for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also freeze cooked empanadas for future snacks or meals. When ready to eat, pop them into the air fryer directly from the freezer and cook at 350°F for about 12 minutes, or until they are hot and crispy.

Serving suggestions

Cheese empanadas made in an air fryer can be served as a snack, appetiser, or a meal. They can be served with salsa, guacamole, or a spicy aioli for dipping. They also go well with a side salad, rice and beans, or vegetable soup for a heartier meal.

If you are serving cheese empanadas as a meal, you can pair them with Mexican rice, black beans, coleslaw, and corn. You can also serve them with Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas as an appetiser.

For a sweet twist, you can serve apple cheesecake empanadas for dessert.

Frequently asked questions