Description
These Air Fryer Empanadas are a delicious and convenient snack or appetizer featuring a savory beef and vegetable filling encased in flaky premade pie crusts. Cooked quickly in the air fryer, they offer a crispy, golden exterior and tender, flavorful inside, perfect for a crowd or weeknight treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 4 ounces diced potato
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup yellow onion, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- ⅓ cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup beef broth
Dough and Assembly
- 2 premade pie crusts
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Boil 4 ounces of diced potatoes until fork-tender, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large frying pan, sauté ½ pound lean ground beef and ⅓ cup minced yellow onion until the beef is evenly browned. Add ½ red bell pepper and ⅓ cup frozen peas, and sauté for another 7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add Spices and Simmer: Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon chili powder, cooked potatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and ¼ cup beef broth. Cook while stirring until the liquid has reduced, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Dough Circles: Roll out the 2 premade pie crusts. Using a 4-inch cookie cutter or large rimmed cup, cut out at least 10 circles by rerolling scraps as needed.
- Make Egg Wash: Whisk together 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
- Assemble Empanadas: Place one dough circle on a work surface, spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into the center, and brush the edge of one side of the dough with the egg wash. Fold the dough over to create a half-circle, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Air Fry Empanadas: Brush each empanada with egg wash and place them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through for even crisping. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Notes
- Make sure potatoes are well drained before adding to the filling to prevent sogginess.
- The filling can be customized with other vegetables like corn or carrots as desired.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these empanadas can be baked in a conventional oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Use a fork or a crimping tool to ensure edges are tightly sealed to prevent filling leakage.
- Egg wash helps achieve a golden, shiny crust but can be omitted for a vegan option replacing it with a plant-based milk wash.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
