Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
A savoury ground beef filling with onion, red pepper, cumin, paprika and a few chopped green olives, folded into pastry discs and crimped shut. The air fryer turns them flaky and golden without deep frying, and a tray of uncooked empanadas in the freezer means a hot snack is never far away.
Published
- Prep Time
- 30 mins
- Cook Time
- 35 mins
- Cool filling
- 20 mins
- Total Time
- 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings
- 16 empanadas
How do you make Air Fryer Beef Empanadas?
Brown 450 g lean ground beef with onion, red pepper and garlic until it reaches 71°C (160°F), then add cumin, paprika, oregano, tomato paste and water and simmer until thick. Stir in chopped green olives and cool completely. Fill 16 empanada discs with 2 tbsp each, seal, crimp and brush with egg wash. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes, until golden.
- Total time
- 1 hr 25 mins
- Calories
- 395 per serving
- Protein
- 17 g
- Yield
- 16 empanadas
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Filling
Pastry
Equipment
Air fryer · Large skillet · Fork · Pastry brush · Instant-read thermometer
Quick Directions
Cook the filling
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and red pepper for 5 minutes until soft.
Season and reduce
Stir in the cumin, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, pepper and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Cool the filling
Spread the filling on a plate or tray and let it cool completely, about 20 minutes, or refrigerate it until cold.
Fill and seal
Place about 2 tablespoons of filling on one half of each disc, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 inch) border.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and lightly spray the basket.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer beef empanadas.
Cook the filling
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and red pepper for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it up finely, until no pink remains and it reaches 71°C (160°F). Drain off any fat.
Season and reduce
Stir in the cumin, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, pepper and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the water and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the filling is moist but no liquid pools in the pan. Stir in the olives.
Cool the filling
Spread the filling on a plate or tray and let it cool completely, about 20 minutes, or refrigerate it until cold. Warm filling softens the pastry and makes it tear.
Fill and seal
Place about 2 tablespoons of filling on one half of each disc, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 inch) border. Brush the edge with water, fold the pastry over and press out the air. Seal by pressing the edge with a fork, or fold it over in small pleats. Brush the tops with egg wash.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and lightly spray the basket. Arrange the empanadas in a single layer without touching and air fry for 10-12 minutes per batch, until deep golden and crisp. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Empanada discs are sold frozen in many supermarkets and Latin grocers, sometimes labelled for baking or frying. Choose the baking kind for the air fryer; it browns more evenly.
- Don't overfill. Two tablespoons is enough, and a clean border is what keeps them sealed.
- Keep the discs you aren't working with covered so they don't dry out and crack when folded.
- Serve with salsa, chimichurri or a spoonful of guacamole on the side.
Variations
- Argentine-style: add 1 chopped hard-boiled egg and 2 tbsp raisins to the cooled filling.
- Chicken empanadas: use ground chicken and cook it until it reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Cheesy beef empanadas: add a small spoonful of shredded mozzarella or cheddar on top of the filling in each one before sealing.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 395 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbs | 41 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated fat | 6.5 g |
| Fibre | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3.5 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate cooked empanadas within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The cooked filling keeps for up to 3 days on its own.
- Freezer
- Freeze sealed, uncooked empanadas on a lined tray, then pack them into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Brush with egg wash and air fry from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 14-16 minutes.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 170°C (340°F) for 4-5 minutes, until the pastry is crisp and the filling reaches 74°C (165°F).
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas FAQs
How long do empanadas take in the air fryer?
Freshly made empanadas take 10-12 minutes at 180°C (350°F), cooked in a single layer. Frozen uncooked empanadas need 14-16 minutes at the same temperature. They are done when the pastry is deep golden and crisp.
What can I use instead of empanada discs?
Cut 12-13 cm (5 inch) rounds from ready-rolled shortcrust or puff pastry. Shortcrust gives a sturdy, crumbly shell, and puff pastry gives a flakier, lighter one that browns a minute or two faster.
Why did my empanadas open while cooking?
They were overfilled, the filling was still warm, or the edges were not sealed. Use about 2 tablespoons of cold filling, keep the border clean, brush it with water and press firmly with a fork before air frying.
Can I freeze beef empanadas?
Yes. Freeze them sealed but uncooked on a tray, then pack them into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Air fry straight from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 14-16 minutes, until golden and hot in the centre.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
