Empanadas in the airfryer
Crispy, golden empanadas baked in the airfryer with a juicy filling of seasoned ground beef — a healthier version of the classic Spanish dish, completely without deep-frying.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Pande
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Brush
- 1 Fork
Ingredients
Dough discs
- 12 pcs empanada dough discs Ready from the pack
Filling
- 400 g ground beef Lean, 5-7 % fat
- 1 pcs onion Finely chopped
- 2 clove garlic Finely chopped
- 1 pcs red bell pepper Finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt Freshly ground- 0.5 tsp pepper Beaten
Egg wash
- 1 pcs egg Sammenpisket
Instructions
Preparing the filling
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1 pcs onion and 2 clove garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
- Add 400 g ground beef and brown it thoroughly for 5-7 minutes while stirring, so all the liquid evaporates and the meat becomes lightly crispy.
- Add 1 pcs red bell pepper, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt and 0.5 tsp pepper. Let the filling simmer for 5 minutes until cooked through.
- Take the filling off the heat and let it cool completely for at least 10 minutes. A warm filling makes the dough soft and difficult to seal.
Assembling the empanadas
- Place 12 empanada dough discs on a clean surface or cutting board. Distribute 1-2 tbsp of cooled filling in the centre of each disc — without overfilling.
- Fold the dough over into a half-moon, and press the edges firmly together with a fork. This seals the empanada and gives the classic pattern along the edge.
- Whisk 1 pcs egg in a small bowl and brush it over each empanada for a golden surface.
Cooking in the airfryer
- Preheat the airfryer to 180 °C convection.
- Place the empanadas in the basket in a single layer without touching each other. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy. Bake in two batches if your airfryer is small.
- Let the empanadas rest for 2 minutes on a wire rack so the dough settles before serving.
Notes
Tips for a perfect result:
Make sure the filling is completely cold before assembling the empanadas — a warm filling makes the dough soft and impossible to seal. Always press the edges together with a fork; this seals the dough and gives the classic pattern. Healthier version:
By baking the empanadas in the airfryer instead of deep-frying them, the fat content is significantly reduced — without compromising on crispness. Use lean ground beef (5-7 % fat) to make the filling even lighter. Variation:
Replace the beef with ground chicken, or make a vegetarian version with black beans, corn and grated cheese. Add finely chopped olives or raisins to the filling for a twist closer to the Argentine tradition. Serving:
Serve with chimichurri, fresh salsa or a green salad. Also pairs well with guacamole or a cool yoghurt dip with lime and coriander. Portion size:
If your airfryer is smaller, you can cook the dish in two batches — keep the first portion warm under a tea towel while the next one bakes.
Make sure the filling is completely cold before assembling the empanadas — a warm filling makes the dough soft and impossible to seal. Always press the edges together with a fork; this seals the dough and gives the classic pattern. Healthier version:
By baking the empanadas in the airfryer instead of deep-frying them, the fat content is significantly reduced — without compromising on crispness. Use lean ground beef (5-7 % fat) to make the filling even lighter. Variation:
Replace the beef with ground chicken, or make a vegetarian version with black beans, corn and grated cheese. Add finely chopped olives or raisins to the filling for a twist closer to the Argentine tradition. Serving:
Serve with chimichurri, fresh salsa or a green salad. Also pairs well with guacamole or a cool yoghurt dip with lime and coriander. Portion size:
If your airfryer is smaller, you can cook the dish in two batches — keep the first portion warm under a tea towel while the next one bakes.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 28gFat: 26gSaturated fat: 8gPolyunsaturated fat: 3gMonounsaturated fat: 12gTrans fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 950mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 4mgNet carbohydrates: 39g
