Crispy Air Fryer Empanadas: Your Go-To Recipe for Quick & Delicious Beef Pockets
Get ready to transform your snack or mealtime with these incredible Air Fryer Empanadas! Imagine a golden-brown, crispy pastry shell giving way to a rich, savory, and perfectly seasoned ground beef filling. These empanadas are not just delicious; they’re incredibly easy to make, especially when you use store-bought dough, and the air fryer ensures they’re a healthier alternative to deep-fried versions. Forget the guilt and dig into these irresistible pockets of flavor!
This recipe for air fryer empanadas makes them incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings. With just a few simple steps and minimal cooking time, you’ll have a platter of these delightful, crispy pockets ready to be devoured in no time. They are a fantastic way to enjoy the classic flavors of empanadas with the modern convenience and health benefits of air frying.
Why Air Fryer Empanadas Are a Game-Changer for Flavor and Health
You’re going to adore this beef empanada recipe, not just because it brings the authentic, mouth-watering taste of your favorite Mexican restaurant right to your kitchen, but also because of the magical touch of the air fryer. Cooking empanadas in an air fryer significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to traditional deep-frying, making them a much healthier option. This means you can indulge in a second (or even third!) helping with a little less guilt, savoring every crunchy, savory bite.
Everyone loves tacos, right? These air-fried empanadas offer a fantastic and exciting alternative to your usual taco night routine. They’re equally flavorful and satisfying but provide a delightful change of texture and presentation. The air fryer truly shines when it comes to achieving that perfect crispy exterior without the excessive oil. This method locks in the moisture of the juicy beef filling, resulting in empanadas that are tender on the inside and wonderfully golden and crunchy on the outside. It’s quick, efficient, and makes clean-up a breeze. If you’re looking for more easy and delicious beef recipes perfect for your air fryer, be sure to check out our Air Fryer Cheeseburger Bombs and Air Fryer Taco Bombs for more culinary adventures.
Gather Your Simple Ingredients for Flavorful Empanadas
One of the best things about this recipe is its straightforward ingredient list. We focus on fresh, quality components to build a robust and irresistible filling, complemented by an easy-to-use dough. Here’s what you’ll need to create these fantastic air fryer empanadas:
- Refrigerated Pie Crust Dough: Using a pre-made dough like Pillsbury Pie Crust is a fantastic shortcut that saves a lot of time and effort. It provides a consistently flaky and tender base for your empanadas, ensuring a satisfying bite every time.
- Lean Ground Beef: Opt for lean ground beef to minimize excess grease. This ensures your filling isn’t oily and keeps the empanadas lighter, allowing the savory flavors to truly shine.
- Yellow Onion, chopped: Adds a foundational sweetness and aromatic depth to the savory filling. Finely chopped onions will meld seamlessly into the mixture, providing flavor without an overpowering texture.
- Shredded or Sliced Carrots: Carrots contribute a subtle sweetness and a touch of vibrant color, along with beneficial nutrients. You can shred them for a finer texture or slice them thinly for a more noticeable bite.
- Canned or Frozen Green Peas: Peas add a burst of fresh flavor and a pleasant textural contrast to the meat and other vegetables. If using frozen, thaw them slightly before adding to ensure even cooking.
- Italian Seasoning: A versatile blend of herbs that provides a warm, savory, and familiar flavor profile. It typically includes herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, creating a harmonious blend.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors in the filling. Salt brings out the natural tastes of the meat and vegetables.
- Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and pungent aroma, balancing the richness of the beef and tying all the flavors together.
Optional Additional Flavors & Customizations: Don’t be afraid to personalize your empanadas! Experiment with these additions to create your unique twist and elevate the flavor profile:
- Garlic Powder or Roasted Garlic Cloves: For an extra layer of savory aroma and depth. Roasted garlic offers a sweeter, milder flavor.
- Teaspoon Chili Powder or Ancho Chili Powder: To introduce a mild warmth, smoky depth, and a touch of earthy spice.
- Taco Seasoning: A quick way to shift the flavor profile towards a more distinct Tex-Mex taste, perfect for a themed meal.
- Mexican Cheese (shredded): Adding a spoonful of Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend to each empanada before sealing for a gooey, cheesy surprise inside.
- Dried Oregano: Enhances the earthy, slightly peppery notes, complementing the Italian seasoning beautifully.
Egg Wash: This simple mixture is key for achieving that beautiful golden-brown, shiny, and extra-crispy crust that makes air fryer empanadas so appealing.
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Step-by-Step: How to Craft Your Perfect Air Fryer Empanadas
Creating these delicious empanadas is a straightforward process that yields fantastic results. Follow these simple steps to ensure your empanadas are perfectly cooked, crispy, and bursting with flavor, ready to impress your family and friends.
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Brown the Ground Beef: In a medium pan, place your lean ground beef over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue to brown the beef thoroughly until no pink remains, ensuring it’s fully cooked. Once cooked, transfer the beef to a strainer to drain any excess grease. This step is crucial for preventing soggy empanadas and ensures a lighter, more flavorful filling.
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Prepare the Filling Mixture: Once the beef is drained, transfer it to a medium bowl. Add the chopped yellow onion, shredded carrots, green peas, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are fully combined and evenly distributed. This ensures every bite of your empanada is bursting with savory flavor. Set this flavorful mixture aside while you prepare your dough.
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Prepare the Empanada Dough: Unroll your refrigerated pie crust dough onto a clean cutting board or a lightly floured surface. Using a cookie cutter, pastry cutter, or even a round biscuit cutter (approximately 5-6 inches in diameter), cut out even circles from the dough. This size is ideal for a good filling-to-dough ratio. Carefully gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out more circles until all the dough is used, minimizing waste.
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Fill and Seal the Empanadas: Take one dough circle and place a small amount (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the seasoned ground beef mixture onto one half of the circle, leaving a small border around the edge. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make sealing difficult and lead to leakage during cooking. Gently fold the other half of the dough over the filling, creating a crescent shape. Press the edges together firmly to seal the mixture inside. For a decorative and extra secure seal, use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges, or carefully pinch and roll the edges to create a traditional ‘repulgue’ pattern.
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Apply the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg and one tablespoon of water until well combined. This egg wash is more than just for looks; it helps the empanadas achieve a beautiful golden sheen and contributes significantly to their wonderfully crispy crust in the air fryer. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the entire top surface of each empanada with the egg wash for a perfect finish.
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Air Fry to Golden Perfection: Carefully place the prepared empanadas into your air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure optimal crispiness and even cooking; you may need to cook them in batches depending on your air fryer’s size. For easier cleanup and to prevent sticking, you can line the basket with perforated parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers, or lightly spritz it with olive oil spray. Air fry at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is beautifully golden brown and wonderfully crispy. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your empanadas, so monitor them closely.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Empanadas
Achieving the perfect air-fried empanada is simple with a few helpful hints that will ensure maximum crispiness and flavor:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is a golden rule for air frying! For optimal crispiness and even cooking, always cook empanadas in a single layer, ensuring there’s ample space for hot air to circulate around each one. If your air fryer is small, it’s best to work in batches.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not always strictly necessary, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at the cooking temperature can significantly improve results. This helps the empanadas start crisping up immediately upon contact with the hot basket, leading to a more consistent and golden crust.
- Use Parchment Paper or Oil Spray: To prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze, consider lining your air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers. Alternatively, lightly spray the basket with a high-heat cooking oil like olive oil or avocado oil.
- Monitor Cooking Closely: The cooking time provided is an estimate. Air fryer models can vary in wattage and efficiency. Keep a close eye on your empanadas, especially during the last few minutes, to prevent over-browning. They should be beautifully golden brown, and the filling should be thoroughly heated through.
- Cool Slightly Before Serving: While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, letting your empanadas cool for a few minutes after cooking allows the filling to set and prevents painful burns from super-hot contents.
Serving Suggestions and Favorite Dipping Sauces
These Air Fryer Empanadas are fantastic on their own, offering a complete flavor experience. However, pairing them with a delicious dipping sauce can elevate the experience to another level, adding complementary or contrasting tastes. Here are some of our top picks to complement the savory beef filling:
- Mango Habanero Salsa: For a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that perfectly cuts through the richness of the beef.
- Corn Relish: Adds a delightful crunch, a burst of fresh sweetness, and savory flavors, creating a wonderful textural contrast.
- Hot Sauce: A classic and straightforward choice for those who love an extra fiery kick with their savory treats.
- Fresh Salsa Verde: The bright, zesty, and slightly acidic notes of tomatillo salsa offer a refreshing contrast to the hearty filling.
- Cheesy Bean Dip: A hearty and comforting option that makes these empanadas even more substantial and satisfying, especially for a snack.
- Sweet and Spicy Salsa: Combines the best of both worlds, providing a perfectly balanced flavor profile that tantalizes the taste buds.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: An unconventional but surprisingly delicious pairing for a creamy, tangy, and pungent twist that works well with beef.
- Bell Pepper Sauce: A roasted bell pepper sauce can add a smoky, slightly sweet, and vibrant depth of flavor.
- Pizza Sauce: A simple and kid-friendly option that adds a familiar Italian-inspired twist, making them universally appealing.
Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties, a hearty snack for after-school, or even a light main course alongside a fresh green salad or a bowl of soup. I personally love making this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Remember, depending on your specific air fryer model, its size, and wattage, cooking times might need slight adjustments of 1-2 minutes. Always keep an eye on your food to achieve the best, golden-brown results!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Empanadas
Here are some common questions to help you master your air fryer empanadas and make them a regular, stress-free part of your meal rotation.
The versatility of empanadas is truly incredible, making them perfect for endless culinary creativity! Beyond our savory beef filling, you can explore a wide array of options to suit any palate or occasion. For savory versions, consider creating delicious cheese empanadas (using a blend of melting cheeses like Oaxaca, mozzarella, or a sharp cheddar), succulent chicken empanadas (perhaps with shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with some salsa or a creamy sauce), or even fajita-flavored empanadas packed with tender braised beef, colorful bell peppers, and caramelized onions. Creamed corn empanadas offer a sweet and savory vegetarian option, while shredded pork with melty mozzarella cheese will also be incredibly tasty and satisfying. For those with a sweet tooth, empanadas can easily be transformed into delightful desserts: try fruit fillings like apple cinnamon, guava and cream cheese, or classic dulce de leche. When making sweet versions, simply omit the savory seasonings from the filling and perhaps add a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon to the dough before air frying for an extra treat!
Storing leftover empanadas properly ensures they remain fresh and delicious for future enjoyment, almost as good as freshly made! Once they have completely cooled to room temperature, place your empanadas in an airtight container or a heavy-duty resealable storage bag. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For a longer-term storage solution, empanadas freeze exceptionally well. To prevent them from sticking together, wrap each individual empanada in a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Then, place them in a freezer-safe container or a durable freezer-friendly bag. They can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Freezing them uncooked is also an option; just be sure to freeze them on a baking sheet first until solid, then transfer to a bag.
Absolutely! Air frying frozen empanadas is a fantastic and convenient way to enjoy them anytime, whether they are homemade or store-bought. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on whether they are frozen uncooked empanadas or ones that have been previously cooked and then frozen. For frozen uncooked empanadas, you might need to add an extra 5-7 minutes to the standard cooking time. The key is to ensure the filling is thoroughly heated through and the crust is golden brown and crispy. For previously cooked and then frozen empanadas, they will typically require a little less time, perhaps 3-5 minutes extra, as they just need to be reheated and crisped up. Always preheat your air fryer and arrange them in a single layer. It’s always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the filling to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving to ensure food safety.
Yes, the dough choice offers wonderful flexibility to suit your preferences, time constraints, or what you have readily available in your kitchen. While refrigerated pie crust dough is a fantastic time-saver and provides a wonderfully flaky texture, you have several other excellent options. Making homemade empanada dough from scratch is always a great option if you have the time and desire for a truly authentic experience, allowing you to control ingredients and texture. Store-bought empanada dough rounds are readily available in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets and are specifically designed for this purpose, making them super convenient. Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous or simply looking for something different, you can even use rolled-out crescent roll dough for a softer, slightly bread-like crust, or puff pastry for an extra flaky, buttery result that feels a bit more gourmet. Each dough type will give your air fryer empanadas a unique character, so feel free to experiment!
More Easy & Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Explore
If you’re loving the convenience and amazing results of air frying as much as we are, you’ll be thrilled to discover even more simple and satisfying recipes. The air fryer is a truly versatile kitchen appliance, perfect for everything from quick snacks to full family meals. Expand your culinary repertoire with these highly recommended air fryer favorites:
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A classic comfort food elevated to new heights of crispiness and gooey perfection.
- Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich: A savory step up from the grilled cheese, with tender ham and melted cheese.
- Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders: Ideal for parties, game days, or a fun, family-friendly meal that comes together quickly.
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter and Jelly: A surprisingly delicious and crispy twist on a beloved childhood favorite – a must-try!
- How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer: Say goodbye to soggy microwave pizza. Get perfectly crispy, fresh-tasting pizza slices every single time!
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4
Air Fryer Empanadas
Becky
15 minutes
8 minutes
Rate
Equipment
-
1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
-
1
refrigerated pie crust dough -
1/2
pound
lean ground beef -
1/4
cup
yellow onion, chopped -
1
cup
frozen mixed vegetables, like peas, carrots, and corn -
1
teaspoon
Italian Seasoning -
1/2
teaspoon
salt -
1/4
teaspoon
black pepper
Egg Wash
-
1
large
egg, whisked -
1
tablespoon
water
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
-
In a medium pan, over medium-high heat, use a wooden spoon to break up and brown the ground beef, then drain the grease through a strainer.
-
Transfer ground beef mixture to a medium bowl, then add in onion, mixed vegetables, and Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Stir together to fully combine, then set aside.
-
Roll out empanada dough on a cutting board and cut circles, about 5-6 inches in diameter. Use a cookie cutter, pastry cutter or biscuit cutter if needed to make the dough rounds the same size.
-
Spoon a small amount of the seasoned ground beef mixture onto one side of the circle. Fold dough over the meat filling, sealing in the mixture, then pinch, or use a fork to seal edges.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush and brush the top of each empanada with egg wash.
-
Place them in the air fryer basket, in a single layer on parchment paper liner, or spritzed with olive oil spray. Air fry at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is golden brown.
Nutrition
Calories:
325
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
28
g
,
Protein:
18
g
,
Fat:
15
g
,
Saturated Fat:
5
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
7
g
,
Trans Fat:
0.2
g
,
Cholesterol:
82
mg
,
Sodium:
542
mg
,
Potassium:
374
mg
,
Fiber:
3
g
,
Sugar:
0.5
g
,
Vitamin A:
2388
IU
,
Vitamin C:
5
mg
,
Calcium:
43
mg
,
Iron:
3
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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