There’s something about biting into a perfectly crispy pocket filled with savory goodness that just hits the spot. This Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe offers that satisfying crunch without the extra grease, making these empanadas a total game-changer for quick, delicious snacks or meals.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore how this recipe turns the humble empanada into a quick, healthier treat without ever sacrificing flavor or texture. It’s hands-down one of the easiest ways to impress your friends or just treat yourself to something cozy and homemade.
- Crispy Yet Light: Thanks to the air fryer, the empanadas come out golden and crunchy without deep frying.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, making this an accessible recipe for busy weeknights.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of spices in the filling creates a comforting, irresistible taste.
- Customizable: Easily swap out fillings or spices to fit whatever mood you’re in.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect balance between texture and flavor. The lean ground beef offers a hearty base, while the veggies add a subtle sweetness and freshness that really bring the filling to life.
- Diced Potato: Adds a subtle creaminess and helps bind the filling together without making it mushy.
- Lean Ground Beef: The protein star that absorbs all those spices beautifully.
- Yellow Onion: Provides mild sweetness and depth when sautéed until translucent.
- Red Bell Pepper: Brings vibrant color and a sweet crunch for texture contrast.
- Frozen Peas: They add pops of sweetness plus a nice green hue, and they cook quickly.
- Garlic: For that punch of savory aroma and flavor that’s just irresistible.
- Spices (paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder): These give the filling a warm, smoky kick and keep it deliciously flavorful.
- Tomato Paste & Beef Broth: Important for moisture and a rich, well-rounded taste without soggy empanadas.
- Premade Pie Crusts: Convenience meets flaky, buttery goodness — a lifesaver for quick prep.
- Egg Whites & Water (Egg Wash): Ensures that beautiful golden finish and seals the empanadas tight.
Make It Your Way
While I love the classic beef and vegetable version, these empanadas are incredibly versatile—you can easily swap in your favorite fillings to suit your taste or dietary needs. Don't be shy to experiment a little!
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is using shredded rotisserie chicken with some added taco seasoning for a quick change-up that tastes amazing.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the meat for sautéed mushrooms, corn, and black beans with the same spices to keep things hearty and satisfying.
- Spice Level: If you love heat, I recommend adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to the filling.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe
Step 1: Perfectly Cook the Potatoes
Start by boiling the diced potatoes until they’re fork-tender—about 8 to 12 minutes. This ensures they mash easily into the filling and add that lovely, soft texture. Once cooked, drain them well and set aside so they don’t release excess moisture into the filling later.
Step 2: Sauté Your Filling
In a large frying pan, cook the lean ground beef and minced onion over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Then add diced red bell pepper and frozen peas, sautéing until the veggies are tender but still vibrant, about 5-7 minutes. This layering of flavors and textures is key!
Step 3: Spice It Up and Combine
Now add garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, the cooked potatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir well and let it simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, creating a thick, flavorful filling. This step makes the difference between soggy and perfectly moist empanadas.
Step 4: Prepare Your Dough Circles
Roll out your premade pie crusts lightly, then cut into roughly 4-inch circles using a cookie cutter or a rimmed cup. Don’t worry if you need to gather scraps and reroll—it’s totally normal and perfect for getting the most out of your dough.
Step 5: Fill and Fold
Place a dough circle on your workspace, spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into the center, and brush the edges lightly with your egg wash (made by whisking egg whites and water). Fold it over into a half-moon shape, then seal by pressing the edges with a fork—this keeps all that goodness inside while it cooks.
Step 6: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Brush each empanada with egg wash to get that gorgeous golden color, then air fry at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Give them enough room to cook evenly—don’t overcrowd your basket! Watching that crispness develop is one of my favorite parts.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours: These tips really helped me nail this recipe on the first try, and I hope they do the same for you!
- Potato Drainage: Make sure your boiled potatoes are well drained and dry to prevent the filling from becoming soggy.
- Don’t Skimp on Egg Wash: It’s the secret to getting that irresistible golden crust and firm seal.
- Space Them Out: Overcrowding the air fryer basket leads to uneven cooking; do them in batches if needed.
- Rest Before Serving: Let your empanadas rest for a couple of minutes after air frying; this holds the filling in place and prevents burns.
How to Serve Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice over the top—it brightens the whole dish and adds a fresh, zingy layer alongside the warm spices. A side of creamy avocado or a cool chimichurri sauce also pairs wonderfully.
Side Dishes
I love serving these empanadas with a simple mixed green salad or roasted veggies to keep things light. Sometimes, I whip up a quick black bean salad for extra protein and color—it complements the spices perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, arranging these empanadas on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream turns a simple snack into a party centerpiece. They’re also fantastic served as an appetizer platter with toothpicks for easy sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually pop my leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheating in the air fryer brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven crunch better than the microwave ever could.
Freezing
I've had great success freezing these empanadas after they've been assembled but before air frying. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to eat, just air fry straight from the freezer—add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the empanadas back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes, or until warm and crisp again. It’s hands-down the best way to revive their flaky texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade dough can add a personal touch. Just make sure it’s rolled out to about ⅛-inch thickness for the best texture in the air fryer.
Make sure to brush the edges generously with egg wash before sealing, and press the edges firmly with a fork. Also, avoid overfilling them to keep everything neatly inside.
Yes! Substitute the premade pie crust with a gluten-free option like a store-bought gluten-free pie crust or a homemade gluten-free dough. Just check your air fryer cooking times since crust thickness may vary.
Definitely. Air frying uses little to no oil, resulting in crisp empanadas with significantly less fat and calories compared to deep frying, while keeping that perfect crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes for feeding a crowd or making a quick snack that feels special. It’s satisfying, straightforward, and the air fryer brings out that crispy texture I crave without the hassle of deep frying. Give it a try—you’ll soon be making them again and again like I do!
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Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 empanadas
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Latin American
Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Empanadas filled with a savory blend of ground beef, vegetables, and spices, perfect as a snack or appetizer made quickly without frying in oil.
Ingredients
Filling
- 4 ounces diced potato
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup yellow onion, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- ⅓ cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup beef broth
Dough and Egg Wash
- 2 premade pie crusts
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Boil 4 ounces diced potato until fork-tender, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a large frying pan, sauté ½ pound lean ground beef and ⅓ cup minced yellow onion until the beef is evenly browned. Add ½ red bell pepper and ⅓ cup frozen peas, cooking for an additional 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Add Spices and Liquids: Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon chili powder, cooked potatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and ¼ cup beef broth. Cook until the liquid reduces and mixture is well incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Dough Circles: Roll out the 2 premade pie crusts and cut into approximately 4-inch circles using a cookie cutter or cup. Re-roll scraps to make at least 10 circles.
- Make Egg Wash: Whisk together 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl.
- Assemble Empanadas: Place one dough circle on a work surface. Add about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center. Brush the edge of one side of the dough with egg wash, fold dough over filling to form a half-circle, then crimp edges with a fork. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Air Fry Empanadas: Brush each empanada with egg wash. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Do this in batches, spacing empanadas apart.
Notes
- Use premade pie crusts for convenience, or substitute with empanada dough if preferred.
- Make sure to cook the filling thoroughly to prevent sogginess in the empanadas.
- Adjust spices according to your heat preference; chili powder can be reduced or increased.
- Keep the empanadas spaced in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispness.
- Serve warm with salsa or dipping sauce of your choice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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