Golden, crispy, flaky, and packed with irresistible fillings! These Homemade Empanadas are perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy and cheesy on the inside, making them ideal for family dinners, appetizers, parties, game day, or weekend comfort food. Whether baked or fried, these six delicious empanada recipes are guaranteed to satisfy every craving.
📝 Ingredients
🥟 For the Empanada Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ cup butter or shortening
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup warm water (add more if needed)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
🍽️ How to Make the Empanada Dough
1️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
2️⃣ Cut in the Butter
Add the cold butter or shortening and work it into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3️⃣ Form the Dough
Add the egg, then slowly pour in the warm water while mixing until a soft dough forms. Add a little more water if needed.
4️⃣ Knead & Rest
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
5️⃣ Roll & Cut
Roll the dough to about ⅛-inch thickness and cut into 5–6 inch circles using a bowl or cutter.
6️⃣ Fill & Seal
Place your desired filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over, press the edges firmly, then crimp with a fork to seal.
7️⃣ Bake or Fry
Brush each empanada with beaten egg.
- Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 22–28 minutes until golden brown.
- Fry: Cook in 350°F (175°C) oil for 3–5 minutes until crispy and golden.
🥩 1️⃣ Ground Beef Empanadas
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the filling is flavorful and no longer watery. Let cool completely before filling the empanadas.
🍗🧀 2️⃣ Chicken and Cheese Empanadas
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup cream cheese or creamy white sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt, black pepper, and oregano to taste
Instructions
Cook the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy, then fold in the shredded cheese. Cool slightly before filling the dough.
🧀 3️⃣ Ham and Cheese Empanadas
Ingredients
- 1½ cups chopped ham
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional)
- ½ tsp oregano
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix the ham, cheeses, oregano, and black pepper until evenly combined. Spoon the filling onto each dough circle, seal tightly, and bake or fry until golden and the cheese is perfectly melted.
🍕🥟 4️⃣ Pizza Empanadas
Ingredients
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pepperoni or chopped ham
- 1 tsp oregano
- ¼ cup diced bell pepper (optional)
Instructions
Spread a small spoonful of pizza sauce onto each dough round. Add mozzarella, pepperoni or ham, oregano, and bell peppers. Avoid overfilling, then seal and cook until crispy and bubbling.
🐟 5️⃣ Tuna Empanadas
Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna, drained
- ½ onion, chopped
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce or mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft. Add the tuna, tomato sauce (or mayonnaise), herbs, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes until well combined. Cool before filling the empanadas.
🧀✨ 6️⃣ Cheese Empanadas
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese or queso blanco
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional)
- ½ tsp oregano (optional)
Instructions
Combine all the cheeses in a bowl and stir in oregano if using. Fill each dough circle generously, seal very well, and bake or fry until the crust is golden and the cheese is hot and gooey.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Serve these homemade empanadas warm with your favorite dipping sauces:
- Garlic Aioli
- Chimichurri
- Spicy Mayo
- Chipotle Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Salsa
- Ketchup-Mayo
- Avocado Crema
Pair with a fresh salad, crispy fries, roasted vegetables, or soup for a complete meal.
💡 Expert Tips
- Resting the dough makes it easier to roll and creates a flakier crust.
- Cool fillings completely before assembling to prevent soggy dough.
- Avoid overfilling to keep the empanadas sealed during baking or frying.
- Crimp the edges tightly with a fork to prevent leaks.
- Brush generously with egg wash for a beautiful golden finish.
🍴 Why You’ll Love These Empanadas
✔️ Six delicious homemade empanada fillings
✔️ Crispy, flaky, buttery pastry
✔️ Perfect baked or fried
✔️ Great for meal prep, parties, and family dinners
✔️ Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients
✔️ Freezer-friendly and make-ahead recipe
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12–16 empanadas
Calories: ~280–420 per empanada (depending on filling)
