Air Fryer Empanadas

These Air Fryer Empanadas are a new spin on a beloved classic. We skip the deep frying process, while still maintaining a delicate flakey crust and perfectly seasoned filling.

Recipe Overview

These Air Fryer Empanadas may seem intimidating, but they are surprisingly simple to make.

For those of us (myself included) lacking empanada folding skills, using a fork to seal the edges makes things much easier. Plus, because we’re using an air fryer, there is even less chance of spillage compared to deep frying.

The warming spices – cumin, chili powder, paprika, and red chili flakes add the perfect amount of spice to these empanadas and are great when dipped in sour cream or salsa. If you love foods with spice as much as we do, check out these Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers.

Ingredients

• Ground Beef – I’m using beef in this recipe but you could make these empanadas with turkey, chicken, or pork– any ground meat will work!
• Mixed Vegetables – One of the great things about empanadas is that you can put practically anything inside them. I’m using a mix of vegetables– onion, carrot, peas, and green pepper, but feel free
  to swap it out for whatever you have on hand. Celery, leeks, shallots, or poblano peppers would be great substitutions.
• Garlic – Garlic adds a bit of earthiness to the filling. If you don’t have fresh garlic, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder will work as well.
• Spice Mixture – To give these empanadas their classic Spanish flavor, we’re using cumin, chili powder, salt, and paprika– plus a little red pepper flake for spice. If you want to make this recipe even easier, just use 2 tablespoons of store-bought taco seasoning.
• Beef Broth – Simmering the filling in beef broth enhances the meatiness and helps the flavors develop.
• Pie Crust – Refrigerated pie crust is a great shortcut but if you want to make more authentic empanadas, you can make homemade dough or use frozen empanada dough (available at most Latin markets/specialty grocery stores).
• Egg Wash – An egg wash helps seal the edges so the empanadas don’t open in the air fryer– but it also makes them golden brown.

Steps to make

1. Add the ground beef to a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook the beef, breaking it up into small pieces until it is almost fully browned.
2. Next add the onion, bell pepper, carrot, and peas. Cook until the vegetables are just starting to become tender.
3. Next add the garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.  Add the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until all of the liquid has evaporated.
4. Remove the beef mixture from the heat and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle.  Unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut out four from each one.
5. Fill each piece of dough with ⅓ cup of filling. Brush the edges of the dough with egg wash and then fold one side of the circle over to the other to seal in the filling. Fold or crimp the edges of the empanadas to ensure they are completely sealed.
6. Lightly grease your air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Add a few empanadas (as many as will fit without overcrowding) to the basket and then brush the empanadas with egg wash and spray them with olive oil spray. This will help them become crisp and golden brown!
7. Air fry the empanadas at 380ºF/193ºC for 8 minutes or until they are golden brown. Repeat with the remaining empanadas.
8. Serve with sour cream and salsa for dipping. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

best pairings

These Air Fryer Empanadas are great served as appetizers alongside Air Fryer Tortilla Chips. Or could become the main course when served with a side of Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.

FAQs

More air fryer recipes to try

• Air Fryer Frozen Chimichanga
• Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
• Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges