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
- 1/8 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.
Laura
Sunday 28th of February 2021
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
Monday 1st of March 2021
That sounds so good!
SFranks
Wednesday 3rd of June 2020
Love! I used peaches instead of apples, adjusting cook time. This recipe can be adjusted to any fruit. So easy & Delicious ?.
staysnatched
Thursday 4th of June 2020
Peaches sound so good!
Lydia
Sunday 31st of May 2020
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
Monday 1st of June 2020
Thanks for sharing.
Christian
Saturday 9th of May 2020
I made some of your brownie. To dieeeeeee for.
staysnatched
Saturday 9th of May 2020
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed them!
Linda Haller
Monday 30th of September 2019
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
Wednesday 2nd of October 2019
I will consider that!