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Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe

Air Fryer Empanadas Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 8 reviews

This Air Fryer Empanadas recipe offers a delicious, crispy, and healthier alternative to traditional fried empanadas. Filled with seasoned ground meat and colorful vegetables, these empanadas are quick to prepare using pre-made dough and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or meal, served with salsa or sour cream for an added burst of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Empanadas:

  • 12–15 pre-made empanada dough discs (frozen or refrigerated)
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken; vegetarian options include lentils or mushrooms)
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional:

  • Sliced jalapeños for heat
  • Salsa or sour cream for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the Meat: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to keep the filling from becoming oily.
  2. Add the Veggies: Stir in the chopped onion, yellow and red bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables soften and release their flavors.
  3. Spice it Up: Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to coat the meat and vegetables evenly with the spices. Toss in the frozen corn and cook everything together for another 2 minutes to heat through.
  4. Assemble the Empanadas: Lay the empanada dough discs flat on a clean surface. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each disc. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal them completely and prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
  5. Air Fry the Empanadas: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the empanadas in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure both sides become golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve: Carefully remove the empanadas from the air fryer once cooked. Let them cool slightly, then serve warm with your favorite salsa, sour cream, or dipping sauce. Enjoy this savory treat as an appetizer or main dish.

Notes

  • You can customize the filling with different meats or vegetarian options like mushrooms or lentils for varied flavors.
  • For a spicier version, add sliced jalapeños to the filling mixture.
  • If pre-made empanada dough is unavailable, puff pastry sheets or crescent roll dough can be good substitutes.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste before assembling the empanadas.
  • Leftover empanadas can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer for a crispy finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer empanadas, empanadas recipe, quick empanadas, ground meat empanadas, healthy empanadas, air fryer recipes

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/air-fryer-empanadas-recipe/