Empanadas are delicious filled dough parcels that have their origins in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. Traditionally they are fried, but with the air fryer you can enjoy a healthier version that is just as crispy and tasty. In this blog we share a simple recipe for empanadas in the air fryer that you should definitely try.
Recipe for Empanadas in the Airfryer
Ingredients:
- Frozen empanada dough (or homemade dough)
- 500 g minced meat (or meat of your choice)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg, beaten (for the egg wash)
Preparation method:
Prepare dough: Thaw the frozen empanada dough according to package instructions. If you want to make your own dough, you can use empanada dough from this recipe. For an alternative option, you can use Greek yogurt dough like in this taco empanada recipe.Make the filling: Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the minced meat together with the onion, pepper and garlic. Add the cumin, paprika powder, salt and pepper and fry until the meat is done. Let the mixture cool.
Filling Empanadas: Place about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling in the center of each dough disk.
To close empanadas: Fold the dough in half and seal the edges with a fork to prevent the filling from coming out. Repeat this with the rest of the dough and filling.
Egg wash: Because we don't fry the empanadas, we brush them with an egg wash for a nice golden color. You can use a whole egg or just egg whites for this. If you don't eat eggs, you can spray them with some olive oil.
Air frying: Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Bake in batches if necessary at 180°C (350°F) for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.
Tips:
- Experiment with different fillings such as chicken, cheese, vegetables or even sweet fillings such as apple and cinnamon.
- Use a silicone mat or baking paper to prevent the empanadas from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Enjoy these crispy, flavorful empanadas as a snack, appetizer or main course. Perfect for any time of the day!