50 Crispy, Cheesy, Stuffed With Goodness Empanada Recipes for Your Next Favorite Meal

Nettie Moore

Sun, September 15, 2024 at 2:40 PM UTC

8 min read

Empanadas are hand pies with savory or sweet fillings, popular in South America, and can be fried, baked, or air-fried.
Empanadas can be made with homemade dough, store-bought pie dough, or GOYA discos, and can be filled with a variety of ingredients like meat, cheese, fish, or veggies.
Empanadas can be sealed using a fork, fingers, or by rolling the edges, and can be made ahead of time by refrigerating the dough and filling before baking, frying, or air-frying.

Empanadasare fried, baked or air-fried hand pies that have either a savory or sweet filling, which is very popular in South America. They are also known as empanadillas (or pastelillos ), depending on which country they are from. In the states, we know them as a turnover type of pastry —or as a sandwich. The name empanada is Spanish for “to bread" and they are usually filled with meat, cheese, fish veggies or a combination. Whatever ideas for fillings you have in mind, these 50 empanada recipes are utterly satisfying.

What Kind of Dough Is Needed for Empanadas?

Pizza or pie dough can be used to make empanadas. Empanada dough can easily be made from scratch. I have included a couple of recipes for homemade dough below. It’s super easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. Beginners will be able to make their own dough in no time.

What Is the Best Cooking Method for Empanadas?

Empanadas are delicious either fried or baked. Baking uses less oil and so does the air fryer, but they are both wonderful. If you would like to make empanadas in the oven, they will still come out crispy and tasty. Scroll down below to find 50 different ways to make empanadas, from the meat lover's version to the vegetarian choices. All can be used as a mouth-watering appetizer option or small main course—great served alone or with rice and beans for a more filling meal.

What Is the Best Way to Seal Empanadas?

There are multiple ways to seal empanada dough, depending on preference. I prefer to use a fork to crimp the edge. You can crimp the edges of the pastries using a fork by simply pressing along the edges with the tines, fold the edges with your fingers in a purse-like shape or simply roll the edges.

Crimping with a fork is one option, or another way is to fold the edges with your fingers. Afterward, brush the edges with water or a beaten egg wash to make sure that the empanada is sealed closed. Try not to overstuff the empanada, or else you will have a big mess with empanadas bursting.

Can Empanadas Be Made Ahead of Time?

Empanada dough can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. The filling can also be refrigerated overnight.

Empanada recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. They can be baked, fried, or air-fried right before guests arrive. They are popular and delicious to serve at any dinner party.

What Are the Different Choices of Dough for Empanadas?

Make your own dough using one of the recipes found below.
Use a store-bought pie dough found in the freezer section at the market.
Or use GOYA discos, which can be found in the freezer section at your local grocery store with other international foods.