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Air Fryer Beef Empanadas Recipe

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4 from 7 reviews

These Air Fryer Beef Empanadas are a delicious, crispy, and flavorful treat made with lean ground beef, vegetables, and aromatic spices encased in flaky puff pastry. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they are air fried to golden perfection for a healthier alternative to traditional frying.

Ingredients

Beef Filling

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 plum tomato, diced
  • 1/4 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 small potato, diced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas

Dough & Finishing

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
  • 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced tomato and onion, cooking for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally until softened.
  2. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Cook Ground Beef and Spices: Add ground beef, chili powder, kosher salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon and stirring occasionally until beef is browned and cooked through.
  4. Add Vegetables and Simmer: Stir in diced potato, carrot, and water. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover skillet, and cook for 10 minutes until the vegetables are soft and tender.
  5. Season to Taste: Remove skillet from heat. Taste the filling and add more salt if desired to enhance the flavors.
  6. Add Peas: Mix in frozen peas; they will thaw and warm from the residual heat. Set filling aside to cool slightly.
  7. Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out thawed puff pastry sheets into two large rectangles approximately 19x14 inches. Cut dough into 7.5-inch rounds using a template such as a container lid. Repeat with scraps to yield a total of 12 rounds.
  8. Fill Empanadas: Place a heaping 1/4 cup of the beef mixture into the center of each dough round.
  9. Seal Edges: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press and crimp the edges together with your fingers or fork tines to seal well.
  10. Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each empanada generously with the whisked egg to ensure a golden, shiny finish.
  11. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for cooking.
  12. Air Fry Empanadas: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Arrange empanadas in a single layer without touching. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking for even browning.
  13. Repeat Cooking: Remove cooked empanadas and repeat the frying process with remaining empanadas.
  14. Cool and Serve: Allow empanadas to cool for 3 minutes. Serve warm with your favorite salsa and sour cream for dipping.

Notes

  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  • Ensure puff pastry is properly thawed before rolling to avoid cracking.
  • Use a fork or your fingers to seal edges tightly to prevent filling from leaking during cooking.
  • Optional: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth of flavor in the beef filling.
  • Leftover empanadas can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness.
  • Serve with fresh salsa, sour cream, or guacamole to complement the savory filling.

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