Introduction

Oh, empanadas! Just saying the word brings back so many happy memories for me. I can almost smell that warm, comforting aroma filling the kitchen, can you? Whether it’s a family gathering or just a craving for something truly delicious, empanadas always hit the spot. And guess what? Today, we’re making them even easier and quicker with our trusty air fryer! These Air Fryer Empanadas are so ridiculously simple, you’ll be making them all the time. Get ready for a taste of pure comfort, made in minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish!
Easy: Minimal prep, perfect for busy weeknights.
Giftable: Make a batch and share the goodness with friends and family.
Crowd-pleasing: Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, loves a perfectly golden empanada!

Ingredients

You only need a few simple things for these amazing empanadas. Here’s what you’ll need:

8 Goya empanada discs, frozen, thawed: These are your golden ticket to easy empanadas! Just let them sit out for about 20-30 minutes to thaw.
1 cup picadillo: This is your delicious filling! You can use store-bought or your favorite homemade picadillo. It’s usually a savory mix of ground meat, vegetables, and spices – pure flavor!
1 egg white, whisked: This is our “glue” to seal everything up nicely.
1 teaspoon water: Mixed with the egg white, it makes a perfect, thin egg wash.

How to Make It

Let’s get these delicious empanadas into your kitchen! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…

Prep Your Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together your egg white and water. This little mixture is going to help seal those empanada edges beautifully, so no tasty filling escapes!
Get Ready to Fill: Take your thawed empanada discs. Using a pastry brush or even your finger, gently brush the egg wash mixture all around the edges of each disc. This is like giving them a little hug to keep them closed.
Spoon in the Goodness: Now for the best part! Spoon about 2 tablespoons of your flavorful picadillo onto one half of each empanada disc. Don’t overfill, or it might be a bit tricky to seal.
Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the other half of the empanada disc over the filling, creating a nice half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly to seal. For an extra fancy touch and to ensure they’re super sealed, you can crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. I love doing this – it makes them look so professional!
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Get your air fryer nice and warm! Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). A preheated air fryer means instant crispiness!
Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange your sealed empanadas in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re in a single layer and not touching each other. This allows the hot air to circulate all around, making them perfectly golden and crispy. If you have a lot, you might need to do this in batches.
Cook Until Golden: Air fry for about 8-10 minutes. About halfway through, give them a little flip. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden brown color all over, and for the filling to be heated through. Oh, the anticipation!

Substitutions & Additions

While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can totally get creative! Here are some ideas:

Different Fillings: Don’t have picadillo? No problem! Try shredded chicken, seasoned black beans, sweet plantains, or even a simple cheese filling.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes to your picadillo for a little kick.
Garnish: Brush with a little melted butter or a sprinkle of sesame seeds before air frying for extra flair.
Dipping Sauces: Serve with your favorite salsa, sour cream, or a spicy aioli.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to ensure your Air Fryer Empanadas are absolutely perfect every time:

Don’t Overstuff: Seriously, this is key! Too much filling makes them hard to seal and can lead to leaks.
Thorough Sealing: Make sure those edges are well-sealed. The egg wash is your friend here!
Single Layer is Best: Resist the urge to crowd the air fryer basket. This is crucial for achieving that signature crispiness.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the empanadas a few hours ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator on a baking sheet before air frying.

How to Store It

Leftover empanadas? Lucky you! Let them cool completely before storing. You can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy again. They’re even delicious at room temperature!

FAQs

Can I make these without an air fryer?

Yes! You can bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown. Or, you can shallow fry them in oil until golden on both sides.

What is picadillo?

Picadillo is a savory dish usually made with ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken), onions, garlic, tomatoes, and various spices. It’s a wonderfully flavorful filling that’s perfect for empanadas!

Can I freeze the assembled empanadas?

Absolutely! Assemble them, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. You can air fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Golden & Crispy Air Fryer Empanadas

Easy and quick air fryer empanadas that are perfect for any occasion. Made with Goya empanada discs and a savory picadillo filling, these golden and crispy empanadas are a crowd-pleasing comfort food.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Servings 8 empanadas

Equipment

Air Fryer
Small bowl for egg wash
Pastry brush or finger for brushing egg wash
Fork optional, for crimping edges

Ingredients

Main ingredients

8 Goya empanada discs frozen, thawed
1 cup picadillo store-bought or homemade
1 teaspoon egg white whisked
1 teaspoon water mixed with egg white

Instructions

Prep Your Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together your egg white and water.
Get Ready to Fill: Brush the edges of each thawed empanada disc with the egg wash mixture.
Spoon in the Goodness: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of picadillo onto one half of each empanada disc. Do not overfill.
Fold and Seal: Fold the other half of the empanada disc over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press edges to seal. Optionally, crimp edges with a fork.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange sealed empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch.
Cook Until Golden: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and heated through.

Notes

For extra flair, brush with melted butter or sprinkle with sesame seeds before air frying. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like salsa, sour cream, or spicy aioli.