Empanadas, a staple in Spanish, Latin American, and Southern European cuisine, offer endless possibilities with their versatile pastry and diverse fillings. Whether baked or fried, these breaded turnovers can be filled with traditional meat or sweet treats, making them a delicious and exciting culinary adventure. For those eager to explore the world of empanadas and master new recipes, this is an ideal starting point.
With 20 mouth-watering empanada recipes and creative filling ideas, anyone can join in on the fun and discover the joy of preparing these tasty pastries.
Argentinian Beef Empanadas
To pay homage to Argentina’s delectable empanada culture, why not try your hand at whipping up some homemade Argentinian-style empanadas? The filling of choice is a hearty blend of beef, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. A delightful twist on traditional empanada-making is the baking process instead of frying, resulting in an impressively flaky crust. When it comes to enjoying these empanadas, they’re best paired with a tangy and herby chimichurri sauce.
The combination is sure to transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Argentina.
Vegetarian Empanadas
Indulge in the rich flavors of these vegetarian empanadas, packed with a nutrient-dense filling that combines sweet potato, chickpeas, lentils, kale, and jalapeño peppers. The addition of hard-boiled eggs not only neutralizes the spiciness but also provides a delightful textural contrast. For an added layer of depth, serve these empanadas alongside a tangy homemade chimichurri sauce.
Crab Empanadas
Indulge in the flavors of Mexico’s Gulf Coast without leaving your kitchen by whipping up these scrumptious crab empanadas! Typically, vendors sell them in small baskets to keep the delicate pastries protected from sand. But with this easy-to-follow recipe, you can recreate the magic at home. Even if you don’t have access to fresh crab, imitation crab will do the trick.
To elevate your snacking experience, consider serving these empanadas with a zesty salsa or homemade tartar dip, just like they do in Mexico.
Chilean-Style Cheese Empanadas
Indulge in the rich flavors of Chilean-style cheese empanadas, where melted mozzarella is the star of the show. This recipe allows for flexibility, substituting whole milk mozzarella with another meltable cheese that melts like a charm. The secret to these crispy and indulgent treats lies in the frying process, which ensures the cheese oozes out at just the right moment. Serve them alongside a tangy salsa dip for an unbeatable combination.
Spicy Butternut Squash Empanadas
As fall arrives, it’s the perfect time to infuse your empanadas with the warm, comforting flavors of the season. One delicious way to do this is by filling them with a spicy butternut squash mixture that’s sure to become a new favorite. The key to taming the heat is to balance out the bold spices and jalapeño with melted cheese, creating a harmonious blend that’s both soothing and invigorating. When served alongside a refreshing lime and cilantro cream dip, these empanadas are sure to be a hit.
Simply follow this easy recipe to get started!
Baked Tuna Empanadas
A fan favorite among fish fillings is tuna, and it’s an excellent way to utilize canned tuna lingering in your pantry. By cooking the tuna into a rich tomato-based filling and baking it in the oven, you’ll achieve a flaky texture that’s distinct from frying the dough. Given the robust tuna flavor, these empanadas don’t require any additional sauces to enhance their taste.
Vegan Empanadas
For vegans and non-vegans alike, empanadas can be a delightful treat. This vegan-friendly recipe ditches eggs and dairy for a dough made from flour, salt, water, and vegan butter. The filling combines an array of colorful vegetables with either tofu or tempeh for a boost of protein. Unlike their fried counterparts, these baked empanadas offer a healthier alternative. What’s more, they pair exquisitely with any sauce – chimichurri or salsa verde being personal favorites.
Air Fryer Empanadas
When it comes to healthier alternatives to fried empanadas, have you considered cooking beef empanadas in an air fryer? The homemade beef picadillo filling is a classic and flavorful choice that’s perfectly encapsulated within the dough. As it cooks, the empanada develops a satisfying crunch without the need for excessive oil consumption.
To simplify the process, you can also opt for pre-made empanada dough, ideal for those with busy schedules or limited cooking time.
Chicken And Chorizo Empanadas
Empanadas filled with chicken and chorizo offer a mouthwatering combination of flavors that’s sure to please even the most dedicated meat-lovers. The mild chicken pairs beautifully with the spicy kick from the chorizo, creating a delicious harmony that’s hard to resist. This recipe is perfect for beginners, as it walks you through the process of making the dough and filling from scratch. And the best part?
These empanadas are incredibly versatile – they pair well with any sauce, from tangy chimichurri to bold salsa. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of empanada-making, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
S’mores Empanadas
Indulge in the sweet side of empanadas with a delightful dessert twist. S’mores empanadas, boasting flaky pastry and a melted chocolate-marshmallow filling, are sure to become your family’s new go-to treat. The added touch of drizzled chocolate and powdered sugar takes this heavenly dessert to the next level – be prepared to whip up batch after batch!
Blueberry Goat Cheese Empanadas
While the pairing of blueberry and goat cheese may not be an obvious choice, we assure you that these empanadas will have you craving more. The natural sweetness of the blueberries harmonizes surprisingly well with the rich, creamy flavor of the goat cheese, resulting in a delightful fusion of flavors. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat, a breakfast on-the-go, or a light afternoon snack, these empanadas are sure to satisfy.
Strawberry Empanadas
There’s nothing more synonymous with the warmth and excitement of summer than biting into a strawberry empanada – a delightful fusion that brings the flavors and convenience of a fruity pie to the great outdoors. And the best part? These sweet treats are surprisingly simple to prepare, making them an ideal option for a quick summer indulgence.
Mozzarella, Basil, And Tomato Empanadas
Emulating the harmonious union of tomato, basil, and mozzarella in a salad or pizza, this empanada recipe takes inspiration from the classic caprese combination to craft a scrumptious grilled cheese variant that’s ideal for both lunch and dinner. This fried empanada recipe is remarkably simple and accessible to beginners. To elevate its flavor profile, serve it with your preferred sauce, such as a basil-infused garlic accompaniment.
Beef And Mushroom Empanadas
Arguably, beef is the most sought-after empanada filling, particularly when it’s combined with sautéed mushrooms. This harmonious union not only elevates the rich flavor profile of the beef but also provides a clever way to introduce kids to the earthy taste of mushrooms. For those new to crafting empanadas, this recipe serves as an excellent guide, offering step-by-step instructions for both the pastry and filling preparation.
When paired with a tangy chimichurri sauce – which is conveniently included in the recipe – these empanadas truly come alive.
Spicy Chicken Empanadas
Empanadas filled with spicy chicken are a crowd-pleaser, and it’s easy to see why. When you take a bite, the flavors transport you to a sizzling hot skillet of fajitas – the combination of juicy chicken breast, infused with bold spices like chili, garlic, onion, and cilantro, is a match made in heaven. Of course, spice levels can be tailored to individual taste, as this isn’t a dish for the faint of heart!
To really bring out the best in these empanadas, try serving them with a tangy salsa verde or a rich and creamy sauce like sour cream.
Spinach And Feta Empanadas
Indulge in the delightful union of spinach and feta with this mild yet flavorful empanada recipe. By combining these two ingredients, you’ll create a filling that’s perfect for those seeking a gentle culinary experience. This recipe utilizes pre-made empanada discs for added convenience, although making your own dough is also an option if time permits. Once cooked, serve the spinach and feta empanadas warm and pair them with your preferred sauce for an enhanced dining experience.
Shrimp Empanadas
Empanadas are a versatile food that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, and fish is one of the most unexpected yet delicious options. Shrimp empanadas, in particular, offer a flavor profile that’s hard to replicate with traditional meat or cheese fillings. The sweetness of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of spices and seasonings. For an added layer of depth, you can incorporate small pieces of chorizo into the filling.
When served with a zesty salsa or spicy garlic jalapeño sauce, shrimp empanadas become a truly unforgettable snack or side dish.
Spicy Black Bean Empanadas
For vegetarians looking to indulge in the flavors of Latin America, empanadas with a spicy black bean filling are a must-try. This protein-rich recipe is just as satisfying as its meat-based counterparts, with the bold, slightly sweet flavor of the black beans evoking memories of vegetarian burritos. While this pastry isn’t vegan-friendly, it’s still a delightful option for those looking to mix things up from traditional empanada fillings.
To take your meal to the next level, serve these spicy black bean empanadas with a tangy and creamy cilantro-lime sauce.
BBQ Pulled Pork Empanadas
As the sounds of traditional Latin American music fill the air, it’s time to merge the classic empanada with the sweet and tangy flavors of BBQ pulled pork. This innovative fusion combines the boldness of America’s favorite pork dish with the warmth of Spanish culture, resulting in a truly mouthwatering experience. The harmony of melted cheese and creamy aji amarillo sauce creates a delightful balance of sweet, mild, and spicy notes that will leave you craving more.
When served with a refreshing Spanish cilantro sauce, these BBQ pulled pork empanadas become an unforgettable treat.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our exploration of the world of empanadas, let’s take a step back and appreciate the vast possibilities that lie before us. With so many ways to create and fill these delicious pastry pockets, it’s no wonder they’ve become a staple in cuisines around the globe. We hope this guide has sparked your imagination and provided you with the confidence to try new flavors and techniques in your own kitchen.
The journey doesn’t have to end here – feel free to continue experimenting and making empanadas your own!
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.