Empanadas are a traditional dish in many Latin American countries, known for their crispy dough and varied fillings that can include meat, chicken, cheese, vegetables and more.
If you want to learn how to make delicious empanadas at home, this complete guide is for you.
From dough preparation to filling options and cooking techniques, we'll explore step-by-step how to create these delicious treats in your own kitchen.
1. Preparing a Dough for Empanadas
The dough is an essential part of an empanada, providing a crunchy and delicious base for the filling. Here is a basic recipe for preparing the dough:
Ingredients for the Dough:
- 3 cups of wheat flour;
- 1/2 cup butter or vegetable shortening;
- 1 egg;
- 1/2 cup ice water;
- 1 teaspoon of salt.
Step by step:
- In a large bowl, mix the wheat flour and salt;
- Add the butter or shortening to the flour mixture and work with your hands until you have a crumb-like texture;
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add to the flour mixture;
- Gradually add ice water to the dough until it comes together and can be shaped into a ball;
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Choosing the Filling for your Empanadas
One of the best parts about making empanadas is the variety of fillings you can choose from. Here are some popular options:
- Ground meat seasoned with onion, garlic, peppers and cumin;
- Shredded chicken with tomato sauce, onion and olives;
- Cheese and caramelized onion;
- Savory vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms and peppers.
3. Assembling and Baking the Empanadas
Step by step:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C;
- Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each one out on a floured surface until it is thin;
- Place a portion of the filling in the center of each dough disc;
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half moon and press the edges with a fork to seal;
- Place the empanadas on a greased baking sheet;
- Brush the surface of the empanadas with beaten egg to obtain a golden color;
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden and crispy.
4. Serving and Enjoying
Serve your empanadas hot or at room temperature, accompanied by sauces such as chimichurri, salsa or guacamole.
They are great as snacks, starters or even as a main dish in an informal meal.
To help you a little more, I brought you a very good video from the Preppy Kitchen channel that teaches you how to make a wonderful empanada, check it out:
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Common questions
How to make empanada dough?
To make empanada dough, use wheat flour, salt, butter or vegetable shortening and water until you get a homogeneous dough mixture. Then let it rest, roll it out with a rolling pin and cut into discs to sear and bake.
How do you make apple empanadas?
To make apple empanadas, peel and slice an apple, mix with sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden.
How do you make meat empanadas?
For meat empanadas, sauté ground beef with onion, garlic and seasonings to taste. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden and crispy.
How do you make chicken empanadas?
To make chicken empanadas, cook shredded chicken with seasonings and tomato sauce. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden.
How do you make Mexican empanadas?
Mexican empanadas are usually filled with seasoned meat, beans, cheese and peppers. The filling is placed in dough discs, closed and baked until crispy.
How do you make pumpkin empanadas?
To make pumpkin empanadas, cook pumpkin with sugar and cinnamon until tender. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden.
How to cook empanada in the airfryer?
Preheat the airfryer, place the empanadas in the basket, spray with oil and cook at 180°C for around 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
How to cook frozen empanadas?
To cook frozen empanadas, preheat the oven, place the empanadas on a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and heated through.
How to make Argentine empanadas?
Argentine empanadas are made with buttery dough and filled with meat, olives, boiled eggs and seasonings. The filling is placed in dough discs, closed and baked until golden.
How to make baked empanada dough?
Baked empanada dough is made with wheat flour, salt, shortening and water. Mix the ingredients, let it rest, roll it out with a rolling pin and cut into discs to sear and bake.
How to make cheese empanada?
To make cheese empanada, use melted cheeses such as mozzarella, cheddar or white cheese. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden and the cheese is melted.
How to make dough for Filipino style empanadas?
The dough for Filipino-style empanadas is similar to traditional dough, made with wheat flour, vegetable shortening, water and salt. Follow the same preparation and cooking technique as regular empanadas.
How to make simple empanadas?
To make simple empanadas, use ready-made pastry dough, fill with your favorite option, such as ground beef, shredded chicken or cheese, seal and bake until golden and crispy.
How to make Pinoy empanada?
Pinoy empanadas are popular in the Philippines and can be made with a variety of fillings such as meat, potatoes and vegetables. The preparation process is similar to traditional empanadas.
How to make pastelito dough?
Pastelito dough is made with wheat flour, water, salt and vegetable fat. Mix the ingredients until an organic dough forms, roll it out with a rolling pin and cut into discs to bake and bake.
How to make Puerto Rican empanadas?
Puerto Rican empanadas are called "pastelillos" and can be filled with meat, chicken, cheese or seafood. The preparation and cooking process is similar to traditional empanadas.
How to make pumpkin empanadas?
To make pumpkin empanadas, cook pumpkin with sugar and spices until tender. Place the filling in dough discs, close and bake until golden.
How to make goya empanadas?
Goya empanadas are filled with a mixture of ground meat, potatoes, peas and seasonings. The filling is placed in dough discs, sealed and baked until golden and crispy.
How to cook chicken empanada?
To cook chicken empanada, preheat the oven, place the empanadas on a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and the chicken is cooked through.
How to cook frozen empanadas in the air fryer?
Preheat the fryer, place the frozen empanadas in the basket and cook at 180°C for around 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
How to cook pork empanada?
To cook pork empanada, follow the same cooking process as for beef empanadas, ensuring the pork filling is completely cooked before serving.
How to make authentic Mexican pumpkin empanadas?
Mexican pumpkin empanadas are made with a sweet dough and filled with cooked pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins. The filling is placed in dough discs, closed and baked until golden. Serve sprinkled with icing sugar for an added touch of flavor.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make delicious empanadas at home, unleash your creativity with different rectangles of fillings and surprise your family and friends with these authentic Latin American and Chinese delicacies!