Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

These delightful beef empanadas, crafted with my homemade beef picadillo, are incredibly easy to prepare and cook in an air fryer!

Rating: 4.82 based on 33 votes
Calories: 183
Protein: 11g
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 5

Course:

Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1 empanada

Equipment:

• Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• 8 Goya empanada discs (thawed from the frozen section)
• 1 cup picadillo
• 1 egg white, whisked
• 1 teaspoon water

Instructions:

1. Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or line it with air fryer parchment paper.
2. Place 2 tablespoons of picadillo in the center of each disc. Fold it in half and seal the edges with a fork. Repeat for remaining discs.
3. Mix the egg whites with water and brush the tops of the empanadas.
4. Air fry in a single layer at 350°F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway, or until golden. Remove and repeat with the rest.

Variations:

• Ground Turkey Empanadas: The shredded turkey meat is a great substitute for the ground beef in the picadillo.
• Chicken Empanadas: Instead of mince meat fill them with some shredded BBQ chicken.
• Chili Empanadas: For something different, use the leftover chili instead of picadillo.
• Pizza Empanadas: Fill with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• Taco Empanadas: Fill some cooked taco meat and fill with something unique.Lobster Empanadas: Try and have some good lobster empanadas made from an air fryer.

Which includes some kneading and rolling that if one does not want to buy frozen empanada shells they will have to prepare some dough or even use store bought pie crust. Round up jalapenos for added spiciness when ‘egg washing’ is not done, instead brushing on olive oil is what is used. The edges can be topped with hot sauce, salsa or guacamole.

Making Empanadas in an Oven:

If there is no air fryer, the empanadas can also be made in the oven, preheated to 400°F and placed on a nonstick sheet for 18-to-20 min or until lightly brown. The texture will not be as crunchy as that of fast fry but it will be delicious in an oven.

How to Freeze:

Lay uncooked empanadas in one layer over a sheet tray to pack the pre-cooking process. Once the rest is available, you can pp them in an appropriate freezing container for about three months.

Notes:

• Oven Baking Option: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them at 400°F on a nonstick baking sheet for about 18 to 20 minutes until golden.
• Freezing Instructions: Flash freeze uncooked empanadas on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Cooking from Frozen: Place frozen empanadas in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway until golden and hot.

Nutrition:

Per Empanada:

• Calories: 183
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 11g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 16mg
• Sodium: 196mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2.5g