Our 12 Best Empanada Recipes

By Hayley Sugg
January 08, 2020
Credit: Fioa

A staple of Latin American cuisine, empanadas are delicate dough-wrapped pastries that can contain fillings ranging from meats to sweets. They're easy to wrap up for lunch on-the-go, or serve on a tray at your next tailgate for an international twist on finger foods. Here are 12 of our best empanada recipes to try for your next get-together.

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Fried Empanadas

Credit: Abi G.
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Raisins and hard-boiled eggs are the key flavorful ingredients for these traditionally fried empanadas. Home cook Jennifer Le Moine says, "The entire dish was gone in seconds."

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Squash and Kohlrabi Empanadas

Credit: dfowler
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Make a veggie-packed dinner or side dish with these vegetarian-friendly empanadas. "Everyone loved them. Excellent blend of flavors." says home cook dfowler.

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Empanadas Abiertas de Humita (Creamy Corn Empanadas)

Credit: Magda
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Popular in Argentina and Chile, these empanadas rely on corn and cheese for a creamy filling. Make them the traditional way by folding over the pastry, or put into muffin tins for more bite-size portions.

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Mexican Pumpkin Empanadas

Credit: valerieware
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The ultimate warm and comforting dessert, this recipe produces perfectly spiced pumpkin empanadas. "This was my first time making empanadas and with this recipe, they came out fantastic!" says Vira V.

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Argentine Meat Empanadas

Credit: Laguna Lala
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Salty olives, sweet paprika, and tangy raisins make the meaty filling for these empanadas a stand-out. They come together quickly by using the suggested puff pastry in place of traditional empanada dough.

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Classic Empanadas

Credit: Fioa
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A combination of potatoes and beef bulk up these hearty empanadas. Don't forget the egg wash, which will make the dough perfectly golden.

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Easy Mushroom-Goat Cheese Empanadas

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An unusual adaption of empanadas, hearty mushrooms and creamy goat cheese make up the filling in this recipe. 

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Empanadas de Pollo (Easy Chicken Empanadas)

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A delicious way to use up leftover chicken, these tender empanadas also contain green onions, garlic, and spices for a burst of flavor. "They were excellent and easy; my first time of doing anything like them." says Kathy Marie Bradley. 

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Empanadas de Tomate, Queso, y Albahaca (Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Empanadas)

Credit: Yoly
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A play on Italian-Latin American fusion, these empanadas contain all the flavorful ingredients of bruschetta for a unique dish.

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Chilean Empanada

Credit: bougiehoolie
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Ground pork takes center stage in these traditionally stuffed empanadas. Home cook aminah says, "My mother is from Chile and this recipe is almost exactly like hers."

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Black Bean & Beef Empanadas

Credit: Delapazr
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In this recipe, black beans, beef, and queso fresco all melt together inside a layer of flaky pastry. Serve with a side of salsa or sour cream for dipping. 

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Roast Beef Hash Breakfast Empanadas

Credit: HORMEL® Mary Kitchen® Hash
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Empanadas are ideal breakfast fare since they're hand-held and packed with filling ingredients. Roast beef hash and eggs are the base for this recipe, with the addition of chili sauce, tomatoes, and onions for extra flavor.

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State of Home Cooking: Graze and Go

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