Description
These Air Fryer Beef Empanadas are a delicious, savory treat featuring a flaky homemade dough stuffed with a flavorful ground beef filling, mixed tomatoes, green chiles, and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a crispy golden crust without deep frying, they make a great appetizer or main dish served with sour cream and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for surface)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced green chiles
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Finishing
- Egg wash (for brushing; 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
- Freshly chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for dipping)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the cold butter cubes into the flour mixture until pea-sized granules are formed.
- Add liquids and knead: Add the water and egg to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let it firm up and become easier to roll.
- Prepare the filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Season the filling: Return the pan to medium heat. Stir in the tomato paste, oregano, parsley, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add the chopped tomatoes and diced green chiles, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
- Form the empanadas: Place the chilled dough on a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll out one half to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 4.5-inch round cookie cutter or cup, cut out dough circles. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Fill the dough rounds: Lightly moisten the edges of each dough circle with water. Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center, then top with a mix of shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Seal the empanadas: Fold each dough circle over to create a half-moon shape. Press edges firmly to seal and use a fork to crimp the edges tightly, ensuring the filling stays inside during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even and efficient cooking.
- Air fry the empanadas: Place empanadas in a parchment paper–lined air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook in batches if necessary, air frying for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the empanadas from the air fryer and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve warm with sour cream on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can prepare the dough and filling a day ahead; store the dough wrapped in plastic wrap and filling refrigerated.
- For a spicier filling, add more diced green chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, baking the empanadas at 400°F on parchment-lined baking sheets for about 25 minutes until golden is a great alternative.
- Brush empanadas with egg wash before air frying to achieve a shiny, golden crust.
- Ensure the empanadas are spaced out in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Latin American
Keywords: empanadas, air fryer recipes, beef empanadas, Latin American appetizer, easy snack, homemade dough, ground beef filling
