This Easy Air Fryer Dessert Empanadas recipe includes a quick tutorial on how to make crispy pastries using store-bought Goya empanadas wrappers. You can also substitute using puff pastry or pie crust.
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This post was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated.
What are Empanadas?
If you have never enjoyed one, then you are in for a treat! This meat-filled pastry is one of my all-time favorites.
It's a stuffed bread pastry that can be baked or fried. The name comes from the word empanar, a Spanish word, which means to wrap bread.
It's made with a savory dough and then stuffed with meat, vegetables, or fruit. They are well known throughout Latin America, South America, Spain, Portugal, and areas surrounding the Caribbean like Puerto Rico.
Goya Wrappers
These are my favorite wrappers to use and the only ones I use for this recipe. I grab them from a local Mexican grocer. You can try calling local stores in your area. They will likely have a substitute brand you can check out.
How to Make Air Fryer Empanadas
- Heat a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add chopped apples, vanilla extract, honey, and nutmeg.
- Cook until the apples soften.
- Create a slurry with cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Mix and add it to the apple mixture.
- Lay the empanada wrappers on a flat surface. Dip a cooking brush in water. Glaze each of the empanada wrappers with the wet brush along the edges.
- Load the apple mixture into each of the empanadas. Add 1 tablespoon of apple mix per empanada. Do not overstuff.
- Close the empanadas. Use a fork to seal the empanadas along the edges by creating indents in the crust. Press the fork down into the crust along the edge of each.
- Glaze each with an egg wash.
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 400 degrees.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
Cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
What Can I Use if I Can't Find Empanadas Wrappers?
You can substitute with puff pastry which can be found in the frozen or refrigerated aisles in the grocery store. You can also use pie crust. The cook time will remain the same.
Other Filling Substitutes
- Shredded Beef
- Chicken
- Red Peppers
- Green Peppers
- Beans and Corn
- Olives
- Cooked Potato
- Cream Cheese
- Goat Cheese
- Apples
- Honey
How to Keep the Empanadas Crispy/Reheat Instructions
In order to keep them crispy, you will need to reheat them in the air fryer. I reheat them for 3-4 minutes on 350 degrees. Spritz with cooking oil if you are having trouble getting them to crisp.
How Long Will the Empanadas Last in the Fridge?
Store them in the fridge in an airtight container or sealable bag for 3-4 days.
Freezer Tips
To freeze the pastries, freeze them in an airtight container or sealable bag for 3-4 months. To reheat you can reheat them frozen.
Bake for 8-10 minutes on 350 degrees or until warm.
Air fry for 3-4 minutes on 350 degrees or until warm.
More Empanadas Recipes
Beef Empanadas Recipe
Shrimp and Red Pepper Empanadas
More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Air Fryer Lemon Pound Cake
Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins
Air Fryer Cherry Turnovers
Air Fryer Cookies
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Easy Air Fryer Dessert Empanadas
Ingredients
- 12 empanada wrappers thawed
- 2 apples I used honey crisp. Use what you prefer.
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 egg beaten
- cooking oil I use olive oil.
Instructions
- Place a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add the apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, and vanilla. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the apples are soft.
- Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Add to the pan and stir. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Allow the filling to cool for at least 5 minutes before loading it onto the empanada wrappers.
- Lay the empanada wrappers on a flat surface. Dip a cooking brush in water. Glaze each of the empanada wrappers with the wet brush along the edges. This will soften the crust and make it easier to roll.
- Add the apple mixture to each. Add 1 tablespoon of the apple mix per empanada. Do not overstuff. Flatten out the mixture with a spoon.
- Close the empanadas. Use a fork to seal the empanadas along the edges by creating indents in the crust. Press the fork down into the crust along the edge of each.
- Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Add the empanadas to the Air Fryer basket. Do not stack the empanadas. Cook in batches if needed.
- Use a cooking brush and brush the top of each empanada with the beaten egg (egg wash).
- Place the Air Fryer on 400 degrees. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute empanada wrappers for puff pastry or pie crust. The cook time is similar.
- I served these with optional sugar-free caramel.
- If you have trouble with crisping, spritz the empanadas with olive oil while air frying.
- This recipe was prepared to be a lightened-up and more healthy version of dessert. If you wish to have really sweet empanada hand pies, add your desired amount of sugar to the recipe and additional honey. Taste your mixture repeatedly until you obtain desired taste.
Lois Alter Mark says
Oh, those look so delicious! I've never used an air fryer but also would never have thought you could make something like these in one. I love apple cinnamon, and must try these!
Shirley Wood says
Anything cooked with apples has my full attention and these sound and look yummy. I have yet to taste any Air Fryer food but I am interested. My friend cooked her turkey in an Air Fryer last Thanksgiving and gave it rave reviews. I definitely need to buy one and get on board.
Ashley says
Your posts are making it hard to stay on Keto!! These empanadas look amazing. I want them right now!
Catherine Sargent says
This looks like such a yummy dessert. I can't wait to make these apple cinnamon empanadas, thanks for the recipe.
Jen Temcio says
Oh wow... honey, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg.... ahh it just sounds so so so good for fall. I want these with a warm cup of coffee. Having the dough premade saves a lot of time and mess.
Eloise says
thank you for this idea! I think I already have all of the ingredients... If so, I'm going to make this tonight after dinner! YUM YUM in my TUM TUM ; )
Alicia says
This dessert looks really good. I love apple desserts, so i have to give this one a try.
Holly says
Love this!! I bet your whole house smelled like autumn when they were cooking! 🙂
Nicole Aguilar says
I love empenadas! And now I have another reason to get an air fryer.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Yes please I love empanadas sweet and savory great treat and lovely for parties or to bring to potlucks everybody loves them. Now I am hungry =)
Cassie says
This sounds delicious! I love the combination of apple and cinnamon in desserts so this would be right up my alley
Anne | onedeterminedlife says
These look delicious! I think these may be fun to make with my kids
Dena says
These look delicious! I think my kids would live them and I love that they provide a good balance of healthy fruits to the deliciousness of the crust.
Dawn Nieves says
Yum!! I love empanadas. We make them all the time and those looks amazing!!
Michael @ Super Millennial says
I love empanadas -- never had them for dessert. I can't wait to try these soon!
Jasmine says
I make empanadas all the time but normally there filled with your typical chicken or beef. This is unique and perfect for fall!!
Bree says
Oh yum! I love apple cinnamon desserts so I'm sure this tastes delicious. I will have to try this recipe for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Louise says
Ooh, these look absolutely delicious. I bet they'd be perfect to have with a cuppa on a cold Autumn morning 🙂
Louise
Mary says
I can't wait to make these, I'm always looking for new recipes to make in my air fryer. Apple and cinnamon is one of my favorite Autumn flavor combinations.
Cynthia says
This is perfect for my afternoon coffee! I still have to try an air fryer, but I am amazed at how versatile they are!
Jacqui Odell says
I have an air fryer and I love it! They come us crispy and yummy. I haven't tried something like this before, but I think I will this weekend.
Tanya @ Intimate Explorations says
I don't own one, but I'm fascinated with air fryers. People seem to love them. I've even heard the term life-changing. Thanks for sharing this deliciousness!
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries says
I don't have an air fryer but I do have a normal fryer. These look good and are so perfect for fall! I want to try making them.
Cole Nemeth says
These look so good! I'm dying to get an air fryer!
Candy Rachelle says
These look amazing and like they were fried! I keep hearing about air frying and think it's about time I give this a try.
Thena says
I bet these would be wonderful with tea or coffee, and fresh out of the air fryer!
Food Gola says
I think this is healthy snack i hope it's tasty too......
staysnatched says
One of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it.
Carol says
Would love to try the empanada recipe but where do you get empanada wrappers? I live in southern California.
thanks
Carol
staysnatched says
I purchased mine at a local Latin grocer. I also have a link at the top of the post for Amazon purchases.
Kathi says
Hi I just googled empanada wrappers and they can be found at Wal-Mart store in the food section.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Good to know they carry them now. Thanks for the info!
Pat Marino says
You’re Apple empanadas were delicious. Thank you for posting such delicious recipes. Pat pp
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Woodkat says
How can you go wrong with apples and cinnamon? Yum. And as a plus, I"ve learned how to fold a perfect circle lengthwise. Genius! Thanks so much for sharing a great recipe. Empanada on!
Mindy says
I couldn’t find Emanades wraps but I used Wonton wrappers and Auf Dryed them for 7 minutes at 400 degrees. Everyone loved them.
PATRICIA HETZLER says
I made these with the Goya wrappers but I simplified it by using a can of apple pie filling and folded them over and crimped the edges with a fork. Then I sprayed with an olive oil sprayer and sprinkled sugar on the top. Cooked in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 minutes! Delicious!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you liked them!
Mihaela says
These empanadas look delicious and perfect for this time of the year. Unfortunately I cannot find empanadas wrappers in my area and no Latin store either. What can I replace them with? What about puff pastry? And if I will use puff pastry the temp and time will be the same?
staysnatched says
You can try puff pastry and the same temperature, but monitor them closely for the appropriate timing.
Linda Haller says
While living in the Quad Cities, my favorite Hispanic bakery made empanadas with a pumpkin filling. So good! Could you come up with a recipe for pumpkin empanadas? Would be great for Thanksgiving.
staysnatched says
I will consider that!
Christian says
I made some of your brownie. To dieeeeeee for.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed them!
Lydia says
I just made these empanadas and the recipe was very easy to follow. They came out great, but I may add some cream cheese filling along with the apple next time.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing.
SFranks says
Love! I used peaches instead of apples, adjusting cook time. This recipe can be adjusted to any fruit. So easy & Delicious ?.
staysnatched says
Peaches sound so good!
Laura says
These were amazing, a great, easy dessert fix for a Sunday evening! I had leftover wrappers, so I cooked up some scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage and made some breakfast empanadas for the morning! Can't wait!
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!