Description
These Air Fryer Empanadas are a delicious and easy-to-make snack featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling wrapped in flaky premade pie crusts. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a crispy, golden finish, they make a great appetizer or meal accompaniment.
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 in water until they become fork-tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a large frying pan over medium heat, sauté ½ pound of lean ground beef with ⅓ cup minced yellow onion until the beef is evenly browned. Add ½ diced red bell pepper and ⅓ cup frozen peas, and continue to sauté for 7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Mix Filling: Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 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 to the pan. Stir everything well and cook until the liquid reduces. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Dough Circles: Roll out the 2 premade pie crusts on a clean surface. Using a cookie cutter or large cup, cut out 4-inch diameter circles. Gather scraps and roll again to cut out at least 10 circles.
- Make Egg Wash: Whisk together 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
- Fill and Seal Empanadas: Place one dough circle on the work surface, spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into the center. Brush edge of one half of the dough with egg wash. Fold the dough over to form a half circle, then press edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush each empanada with the prepared egg wash for a golden finish.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry empanadas in batches, placing them spaced apart, for 10 minutes. Turn them halfway through cooking for even crispness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sautéed mushrooms and additional vegetables.
- If you don't have a cookie cutter, use the rim of a glass or bowl to cut dough circles.
- Keep the empanadas spaced in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy all around.
- The filling can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
