Air-Fried Chicken Empanadas: A Quick, Easy Treat

Chicken empanadas are a delicious, savoury treat, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, golden texture without the mess and grease of deep-frying. This method is also healthier, as it requires less oil and produces fewer calories. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, and fill your empanadas with a variety of ingredients, from chicken and beef to vegetarian options.

Choosing the right empanada dough

Empanada dough is similar to a savoury pie crust and is usually made with flour, butter, and salt. You can make your own dough from scratch or opt for store-bought dough. If you're making your own, a simple recipe involves combining flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl, then cutting butter into the mixture with your hands or a pastry cutter until it forms pea-sized pieces. Next, add an egg and some water and mix with a wooden spoon until the dough is ready. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

If you're short on time, you can use store-bought empanada dough, which can be found in the freezer section of most supermarkets. Look for frozen empanada "discos" near other Latin foods. When buying empanada dough, you'll have options for large or small discs, depending on whether you're making meal-sized or snack-sized empanadas. You can also choose between white dough or dough with annatto, which has a golden yellow colour and a nutty, warm flavour similar to paprika or turmeric.

While some recipes suggest using alternatives like puff pastry, pizza dough, or pre-rolled pie crust, these may not yield the desired texture for your empanadas. Puff pastry is too light and flaky, pizza dough is too bready, and pie crust can be a bit sweet.

If you're unable to find store-bought empanada dough, there are a few other alternatives you can try. Pre-rolled pie crust or pie dough can work, although it may be slightly sweeter than traditional empanada dough. Premade biscuit dough or crescent roll dough are other options, and for a flakier result, you can roll out the dough thinner before filling and cooking your empanadas.

Filling options for chicken empanadas

Chicken empanadas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, depending on your preference. Here are some ideas for filling options:

Chicken and Vegetables

For a classic chicken empanada, you can fill the dough with a mixture of shredded chicken, onions, peppers, and garlic. You can also add in other vegetables like cabbage or spinach. This creates a hearty and savoury filling.

Chicken and Cheese

For a cheesy twist, you can add cheese to your chicken filling. Any variety of cheese will work, so you can choose your favourite or whatever you have on hand.

Chicken and Salsa

For a zesty option, combine shredded chicken with salsa. This simple filling option is full of flavour and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Other Options

You can also get creative and experiment with other fillings. Some ideas include ground turkey, chilli, pizza sauce with mozzarella, taco meat, or even lobster.

Remember, the beauty of empanadas is that you can fill them with just about anything you like! So feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations.

Preparing the filling

To make the filling for chicken empanadas, you'll need cooked, shredded chicken. You can use white, dark, or a mixture of both. A rotisserie chicken is a great option, and it's easier to shred when it's still warm. You'll need about 1 and a half cups of shredded chicken.

In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with seasonings like cumin, onion powder, and salt. Give it a good stir to evenly season the chicken. You can also use leftover Mexican chicken and skip the extra seasoning.

Next, add your cheese. Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese works well, but you can use any variety you prefer. You can also add cream cheese for extra creaminess.

For some extra flavour and spice, add some chopped scallions or garlic. You can also include pickled jalapeños if you like a kick.

Finally, mix in your salsa. You can use homemade or jarred salsa, depending on your preference.

Stir all the ingredients together until well combined, and your chicken empanada filling is ready!

Assembling the empanadas

Now for the fun part: assembling the empanadas!

First, grab your empanada dough and lay it out on a flat surface. You can make your own dough, but store-bought empanada dough or even premade pie crust will work just fine. If you're making chicken empanadas, you'll need about 8-10 ounces of cooked chicken. You can also add some scallions and cheese to the filling for extra flavour.

Next, add your filling of choice to the centre of the dough. For chicken empanadas, you'll need about 2-3 tablespoons of filling. Make sure not to overfill, as this will make it difficult to seal your empanada. Keeping the filling towards one side of the dough will make shaping easier.

Once you've added your filling, it's time to seal the empanada. Fold the dough over the filling, encasing it inside. Use your fingers to pinch the edges of the dough together and seal it shut. Then, take a fork and crimp the edges carefully. This will ensure that your empanada is well sealed and give it a pretty finish.

At this point, you can also brush your empanada with an egg wash. This will help give it a golden colour and a crispy texture. Simply beat an egg with a little water and brush it onto the empanada.

Repeat this process for the remaining empanadas, and you're almost done!

Finally, place your empanadas into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the temperature to around 350-400°F and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.

And that's it! You now have a batch of delicious, crispy chicken empanadas. Enjoy!

Cooking the empanadas

Now that you have your chicken filling and your empanada dough ready, it's time to assemble and cook your chicken empanadas in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Add your cooked, shredded chicken to a mixing bowl. You can use white or dark meat, or a mix of both. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cumin. Mix everything together until the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Prepare the Egg Wash (Optional)

In a separate small bowl, whisk together an egg and a small amount of water to create an egg wash. This step is optional but helps to seal the empanadas and give them a golden colour.

Step 3: Assemble the Empanadas

Lay out a dough disc on a flat surface. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling to the centre of the dough. Be careful not to overfill, as this will make it difficult to seal the empanada. You can also add some shredded cheese to the filling for extra flavour.

Dip your finger into the egg wash and run it around the edge of the dough to help seal the empanada. Then, fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a prettier finish.

Step 4: Brush with Egg Wash (Optional)

Turn the empanadas over so that the bottom side is facing up. Brush this side with the egg wash. This will give your empanadas a golden crust.

Step 5: Cook the Empanadas

Place the empanadas in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 330°F and 400°F and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the empanadas halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Your chicken empanadas are now ready to be served! You can serve them as is or with a dipping sauce such as salsa, guacamole, or a spicy aioli. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions