5 Must-Try Baked Empanada Recipes for Beginners

Empanadas are delightful parcels of dough filled with a variety of ingredients, from savory meats and vegetables to sweet fruits and custards. Originating from Spain and Portugal, these pocket pies have become beloved around the world, each region adapting the recipe to suit local tastes and ingredients. If you're new to the world of empanadas, baking them is a great way to start as it's a cleaner, healthier alternative to frying. In this post, we'll explore five beginner-friendly baked empanada recipes that will not only satisfy your cravings but also guide you through the basics of making these delectable treats at home.

Why Bake Empanadas?

Baking empanadas has several advantages:

• Healthier: Baking reduces the need for excess oil, resulting in lower fat content compared to frying.
• Convenience: It’s less messy, and you can prepare a large batch at once.
• Versatility: Baked empanadas keep their shape well and can be filled with ingredients that might not hold up well during frying.

Beef and Onion Empanadas

Beef and Onion Empanadas are perhaps one of the most traditional flavors, offering a comforting, home-cooked feel. Here’s how you can make them:

Ingredients:

Steps:

1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté until translucent.
2. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Stir in cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the filling cool.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Roll out the dough and cut out circles with a 4-5 inch round cutter. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.
5. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, press edges to seal, and crimp with a fork or make a braided edge for decoration.
6. Brush empanadas with beaten egg to give them a nice golden color when baked.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

🔍 Note: Ensure the filling is not too hot when you place it on the dough to avoid melting the edges or making them sticky.

Spinach and Feta Empanadas

For those looking for a vegetarian option, these empanadas combine the earthy taste of spinach with the sharpness of feta cheese:

Ingredients:

• Spinach, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) - 2 cups
• Feta cheese, crumbled - 1 cup
• Onion, finely chopped - 1 small
• Nutmeg - A pinch
• Salt and pepper - To taste
• Egg - 1
• Pie dough - 2 sheets
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Steps:

1. If using fresh spinach, wilt it down in a pan with olive oil. For frozen, ensure it’s thoroughly drained.
2. In a bowl, combine spinach, feta, onion, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
3. Follow the same filling, folding, and baking steps as the beef empanadas. Ensure the spinach mixture isn’t too wet to avoid soggy empanadas.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas

These empanadas are a fusion of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for those with a more adventurous palate:

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes, roasted and mashed - 1 large
• Black beans, cooked or canned (rinsed and drained) - 1 cup
• Green chilies, diced - 2 tbsp
• Cumin - 1 tsp
• Garlic powder - ½ tsp
• Salt and pepper - To taste
• Pie dough - 2 sheets
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Steps:

1. Mix mashed sweet potatoes with black beans, green chilies, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Proceed with filling, folding, and baking as described earlier.

Apple and Cinnamon Empanadas

For a sweet treat, apple and cinnamon empanadas are a delightful choice:

Ingredients:

• Apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 2 cups
• Sugar - ¼ cup
• Cinnamon - 1 tsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
• Butter - 1 tbsp
• Pie dough - 2 sheets
• Egg wash - 1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water

Steps:

1. Cook apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and butter in a saucepan until the apples are tender. Cool the mixture.
2. Fill the dough circles, fold, and seal as with the savory empanadas. Brush with egg wash before baking.
3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden and crispy.

Cheese and Chorizo Empanadas

Combining the spice of chorizo with the melt-in-your-mouth cheese creates an empanada that’s both hearty and flavorful:

Ingredients:

• Chorizo, cooked and crumbled - 1 cup
• Monterey Jack or similar melting cheese, shredded - 1 cup
• Onion, finely chopped - 1 small
• Pie dough - 2 sheets
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp
• Egg wash - 1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water

Steps:

1. In a skillet, cook chorizo with a bit of olive oil, adding onion halfway through to caramelize.
2. Mix the chorizo and onion with cheese once both are cooled.
3. Fill, fold, and bake as described in previous recipes, brushing with egg wash for a glossy finish.

When you've mastered these basic empanada recipes, the world of empanada fillings opens up to you. Experiment with different cheeses, herbs, and even leftover ingredients from your fridge. Empanadas are versatile, forgiving, and perfect for using up whatever you have on hand.

Keep in mind, mastering the art of making empanadas involves patience, especially with the dough. Whether you opt for store-bought or homemade, ensuring a good seal to keep the filling inside is crucial. Don't be discouraged if your first few batches aren't perfect; like any culinary skill, it takes practice.