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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Empanadas (Chicken or Beef)

    Jul 2, 2021 by Matt · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Air Fryer Empanadas are a favorite snack all over my hometown area of South Florida. These little pockets of fried or baked dough are filled with all kinds of yummy fillings

    empanada close up featured

    Air Fryer Empanadas

    These are great for a snack or appetizer. They can be filled with almost anything that you like. Typically empanadas are filled with ground beef and a mix of peppers and onions. Chicken is also a very common filling and that is what we are doing in this empanada recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Air Fryer Empanadas
    • Can you cook Empanadas in an Air Fryer?
    • Ingredients in Air Fryer Empanadas
    • What to use in place of Empanada Dough?
    • How to Cook Empanadas in the Air Fryer
    • Cooking Empanadas in the Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Empanadas Cooking Time and Temperature
    • Can You Freeze Empanadas?
    • How to Reheat Empanadas in Air Fryer
    • How do you Cook Frozen Empanadas in the Air Fryer
    • Oven Baked Empanadas
    • More Recipes to Enjoy
    • Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
    • Air Fryer Empanadas (Chicken or Beef)
    • Air Fryer Empanada Variation Ideas

    Can you cook Empanadas in an Air Fryer?

    Absolutely! You can cook Empanadas in an air fryer and they come out fantastic. I actually seem to prefer these over their deep fried empanada counterpart. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and they are delicious baked or fried in the air fryer.

    Ingredients in Air Fryer Empanadas

    • Filling for Empanadas (Chicken or Ground Beef)
    • Goya Empanada Discs Dough (Freezer section of Grocery Store Market.)
    • Pie Dough can also be used
    • Cheese ( Any kind of cheese you enjoy)
    • Scallions
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Cumin or Chili Powder
    • Egg (For Egg Wash)

    What to use in place of Empanada Dough?

    If you live in an area where store bought individually wrapped premade unbaked empanada wrappers are not available you can use pie crust or pie dough crust that’s pre-rolled. This is a bit sweeter than empanada dough. You can also use premade biscuit dough or crescent roll dough. Roll them out thin if you want an empanada that is flakier.

    Full Ingredient List and Measurements in Recipe Card Below

    How to Cook Empanadas in the Air Fryer

    Stick with me and I will show you my method on how to cook empanadas in the air fryer. This is really not a difficult process.

    In this recipe, I am using Goya Empanada dough. This is readily available at most supermarkets. The premade dough is fantastic and makes this recipe very simple to cook empanadas.

    Step 1 – Prepare your Filling Protein for Empanadas

    I always try to make empanadas out of fillings that I have around that are leftovers. In this recipe I used leftover chicken that I made on my smoker over the weekend to fill empanadas.

    Leftovers make the best fillings for empanadas. Although you can cook some chicken breast or ground beef up in just minutes.

    Let’s get started cooking. If you are using chicken the ideas is to chop it up in small bite size pieces like the photo below. Some people use a food processor but I just did it with a chef knife.

    chopped chicken for empanadas

    I just added some green onion scallions and cheese to this recipe to create a filling for the empanadas. I spiced up the mix with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin. Giving it a bit of a Latin flavor. I then added a few pinches of cheese.

    chopped scallions

    Step 2 – Filling and Wrapping the Empanadas

    Make sure that your empanada dough discs are defrosted. Create an egg wash with one egg beaten and a few tablespoons of water. Dip your finger in the egg wash and run it around the edge of the empanada dough. This is going to help seal the empanada.

    empanada dough with filling

    Add your filling to the dough like the photo above. Spread it out evenly leaving edges clean. I used a couple tablespoons of filling in each. Once your empanada is filled fold it over and pinch to seal.

    Step 3 – Crimp the edges of the Empanada with a Fork

    crimping the empanadas

    Run a fork around the edge to ensure a good seal and this also makes it look nice. Be careful not to puncture the empanada with the fork. Repeat this process until all the empanadas are completed.

    Cooking Empanadas in the Air Fryer

    Just before you are ready to cook the empanadas they need to be brushed with the egg wash that you created. Cooking spray can also be used but I like the egg wash result.

    Tip: Brush one side with the egg wash before putting them in the air fryer basket. Place the side that is coated with egg was facing down. This way you don’t half to flip them in the basket.

    empanadas in air fryer before cooking

    I am using a 6-quart air fryer and I was able to put 5 empanadas per batch in the basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them. Proper air circulation is required for the best golden brown air fry crispy results.

    Air Fryer Empanadas Cooking Time and Temperature

    The cooking time and temperature for the empanadas was 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time that I preferred was a total cooking time of 8 minutes per batch. I found this to be optimal for this air fryer recipe. If you want them a bit lighter use more medium heat around 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

    cooked empanadas in air fryer

    Can You Freeze Empanadas?

    Yes! You can absolutely freeze cooked empanadas. I am always making more than one batch. I let them get to room temperature and wrap them individually and store them in a freezer bag frozen for an appetizer or snack.

    Wrapped in plastic wrap for extra protection. I also label and date the bag. The remaining dough can also be kept in the freezer.

    How to Reheat Empanadas in Air Fryer

    Reheating empanadas in the air fryer is an easy process and the empanadas reheat wonderfully at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for just 3 to 4 minutes and the empanadas are ready to eat.

    Cooking frozen empanadas in the air fryer is simple. I do this often because when I make these I make a big batch and keep them stored individually in plastic bags frozen in the freezer. Air fryer frozen empanadas make this snack favorite even easier to have more often.

    How do you Cook Frozen Empanadas in the Air Fryer

    Step 1 – Preheat
    Preheat your air fryer to 350 Degrees.

    Step 2 – Place in Air Fryer Basket
    Place frozen Empanadas in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

    Step 3 – Cook the Empanadas
    Set timer to air fry Empanadas 10 minutes. Check at 6 Minutes. Cook until golden brown.

    Step 4 – Serve
    Enjoy these tasty treats. These are a favorite family snack.

    Oven Baked Empanadas

    If you do not have an air fryer or would rather use your oven to make this recipe you can easily do that. I sometimes make these in the toaster oven.

    Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and add empanadas. The cooking temperature to bake the empanadas would be 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a cooking time of 20 to 25 minutes.

    More Recipes to Enjoy

    Air Fryer S’mores
    Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
    Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

    cooked empanadas ready to eat

    Kitchen Essentials and Items Used

    Alexia Smart Classics Frozen French Fries

    empanada close up featured

    Air Fryer Empanadas (Chicken or Beef)

    Air fryer empanadas are easy and delicious. They make a great appetizer snack filled with chicken or beef or any filling you enjoy.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: cuban, Latin, spanish
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 180kcal
    Author: Matt Freund

    Ingredients

    • 1 package Goya Empanada Dough Discs
    • 8 to 10 ounces cooked chicken or beef
    • 2 chopped Scallions
    • 1 tsp. Salt
    • 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
    • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
    • 1/2 tsp. Cumin
    • 3 Tbsp. Cheese (Any Variety)
    • 1 Egg
    • 2 Tbsp≥ Water

    Instructions

    Empanada Filling

    • In a mixing bowl add chopped chicken, scallions and cheese.
    • Season the mixture with Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder and Cumin.
    • Mix Ingredients until combined.

    Assemble Empanadas

    • add egg and water to bowl and beat egg to create the egg wash.
    • Lay a piece of the empanada dough on flat surface. Fill with 2 to 3 Tablespoons of mixture.
    • Dip finger in egg wash and run around edge of empanada dough to help seal.
    • Fold over dough and pinch edges to seal.
    • Crimp edges with fork being careful not to punture empanada.
    • Repeat pricess until all empanadas are completed.
    • Turn over all empanadas so bottom is facing up.
    • Brush all empanadas with the egg wash on bottom.

    Cooking Air Fryer Empanadas

    • Place side you brushed with egg wash down in air fryer basket.
    • Place about 5 empanadas in the basket. Do not overcrowd.
    • Brush top side of empanada with egg wash.
    • Set cooking temperature of air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Cook empanadas 8 minutes total flipping half way through.

    Video

    Notes

    Keep in mind all air fryers cook a little different. Some hotter than others some not as hot. Cooking time may vary by a few minutes more or less.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 180kcal
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    Air Fryer Empanada Variation Ideas

    • Beef Empanadas or Steak Empanadas
    • Fruit Empanadas (Apple or Peach)
    • Vegetable Empanadas
    • Shrimp Empanadas
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