Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

I love finding ways to enjoy classic dishes with a twist, and these Air Fryer Beef Empanadas have become a tried-and-true favorite in my kitchen. They are easy to prepare and make for a delightful snack or a hearty meal. The flaky pastry wraps around a flavorful filling of seasoned beef, cheese, and vegetables, making each bite a little piece of heaven. What’s special about this recipe is how it combines comfort food with crispy textures, thanks to the air fryer!

Growing up, I watched Dad James and Mom Eva whip up delicious meals every Sunday. My sister Jennifer and I would eagerly help out in the kitchen, dreaming about the wonderful taste of whatever was cooking. These empanadas remind me of those family moments—full of warmth and laughter.

What You’ll Need

• 3 cups (360 g.) all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack
• Chopped fresh cilantro and sour cream, for serving

My Trusted Kitchen Tools

• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Pastry cutter (or your hands for cutting butter)
• Rolling pin
• 4.5-inch round cookie cutter
• Skillet
• Air fryer

Bringing It All Together

• In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking powder until combined.
• Cut butter into flour with your hands or a pastry cutter until pea-sized pieces form.
• Add the egg and 3/4 cup water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil.
• Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
• Stir in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Drain excess fat from the skillet.
• Return the pan to medium heat and stir in tomato paste, mixing well with the beef.
• Add oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
• Mix in the chopped jalapeños and tomatoes, cooking until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let filling cool slightly.
• On a lightly floured surface, divide the chilled dough in half.
• Roll one half to 1/4″ thick, then cut out rounds using the cookie cutter.
• Repeat with the other half of the dough, rerolling scraps if necessary to cut out more rounds (you should have about 15).
• Lightly moisten the outer edge of a dough round with water.
• Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of the round.
• Top with a sprinkle of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
• Fold the dough in half over the filling and crimp the edges together using a fork.
• Repeat with the remaining filling, dough, and cheese.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
• Working in batches, place empanadas in a parchment-lined air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch.
• Cook empanadas for about 10 minutes until golden brown and the filling is warm.
• Top with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream on the side.

Making It Your Own (Swaps & Ideas)

Feel free to customize your empanadas with different fillings. You can use shredded chicken or veggies instead of ground beef. Adding black beans or corn can bring extra texture and flavor. Try using different cheeses, like pepper jack for a spicier bite or a mix of cheeses for variety. You could even make sweet versions with fruits and cream cheese for a delightful dessert empanada.

How We Love to Serve It

These empanadas are perfect for a cozy meal at home. We love to serve them with a side of sour cream and fresh cilantro for dipping. A simple salad or some air-fried vegetable sides, like air fryer nachos, pairs nicely for a complete meal. They also make great appetizers for gatherings, and you’ll find everyone reaching for more.

A Few Tips For Success

• Make sure your butter is cold for the dough; it helps with flakiness.
• Don’t skip the resting time in the fridge for the dough. It makes it easier to roll out.
• Ensure the filling has cooled slightly before adding it to the empanadas; hot filling can make the dough soggy.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to get that perfect crispiness.

Saving Some For Later

If you end up with extra empanadas, you can freeze them! Place the uncooked empanadas in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you are ready to cook them, you can air fry them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time for a quick dinner or snack.

From My Kitchen to Yours

These Air Fryer Beef Empanadas bring a taste of family traditions to your table. With their easy preparation and delicious flavors, they are bound to become a favorite in your home as they have in mine. Getting everyone involved in making them can also lead to great memories, much like those I shared with Dad, Mom, and Jennifer.

Your Questions, Answered

What makes Air Fryer Beef Empanadas healthier than traditional fried empanadas?

Air fryers use little to no oil, which reduces the fat content significantly compared to deep frying. This method still gives you that delicious crispy texture but makes the empanadas lighter and more suitable for a variety of diets.

Can I make the empanada dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Simply wrap it in plastic and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This will help the flavors develop and make the dough easier to work with when you’re ready to assemble the empanadas.

What can I serve with Air Fryer Beef Empanadas?

You can pair these empanadas with a refreshing salad or some dips like guacamole or salsa. They also go wonderfully with sides like air fryer mozzarella sticks, making for a fun and tasty meal!

Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

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• Author: sarah
• Total Time: 85 minutes
• Yield: 15 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

Delightful Air Fryer Beef Empanadas with a flaky pastry and seasoned beef filling, perfect for a snack or hearty meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapeños
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack
• Chopped fresh cilantro and sour cream, for serving

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking powder until combined.
2. Cut butter into flour with your hands or a pastry cutter until pea-sized pieces form.
3. Add the egg and 3/4 cup water, mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
4. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
6. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil.
7. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.
8. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
9. Stir in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
10. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
11. Return the pan to medium heat and stir in tomato paste, mixing well with the beef.
12. Add oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
13. Mix in the chopped jalapeños and tomatoes, cooking until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
14. Remove from heat and let filling cool slightly.
15. On a lightly floured surface, divide the chilled dough in half.
16. Roll one half to 1/4 inch thick, then cut out rounds using the cookie cutter.
17. Repeat with the other half of the dough, rerolling scraps if necessary to cut out more rounds (you should have about 15).
18. Lightly moisten the outer edge of a dough round with water.
19. Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of the round.
20. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
21. Fold the dough in half over the filling and crimp the edges together using a fork.
22. Repeat with the remaining filling, dough, and cheese.
23. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
24. Working in batches, place empanadas in a parchment-lined air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch.
25. Cook empanadas for about 10 minutes until golden brown and the filling is warm.
26. Top with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream on the side.

Notes

Customize your empanadas with different fillings such as shredded chicken or vegetables. Ensure the filling cools before adding it to prevent a soggy dough.

• Prep Time: 75 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 empanada
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: empanadas, air fryer, beef, Mexican, snack, comfort food