Air Fryer Ground Beef Empanadas: Crispy, Flavorful, and Easy Homemade Delights

Prepare to revolutionize your snack game with these incredible Air Fryer Ground Beef Empanadas. Forget the fuss and mess of deep frying; your air fryer is about to become your best friend for achieving perfectly crispy, golden empanadas with a wonderfully savory and tender meat filling. In just 7 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a delightful main course. Get ready for a taste sensation that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious!

My inspiration for this recipe came from a similar favorite, my spicy beef and cheese empanadas. I’ve been absolutely obsessed with my air fryer lately, and it honestly took me too long to realize its potential for empanadas! The results are simply fantastic. While this recipe focuses on ground beef, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or chicken if that’s your preference. The beauty of empanadas lies in their versatility, and this air fryer method opens up a world of quick, delicious possibilities.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Empanada Recipe

There are so many reasons to fall in love with these air fryer ground beef empanadas. They’re not just a meal; they’re an experience! Here’s why they’ll quickly become a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortless Party Food: Empanadas are the quintessential handheld party food. They’re easy to serve, require no utensils, and are always a hit with guests. Their individual portions make them perfect for entertaining, potlucks, or game day gatherings.
• Convenient & Mess-Free: Say goodbye to oily splatters and greasy cleanups. The air fryer delivers that desired crispy texture without the need for deep frying, making the cooking process much cleaner and safer.
• Feeds a Crowd (or a Family!): This recipe yields a generous batch of empanadas, ideal for feeding a large family or a gathering of friends. They’re satisfying enough to be a main course or can be enjoyed as a hearty appetizer.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with readily available and inexpensive ingredients like ground beef and frozen empanada discs, this recipe is kind to your wallet without compromising on flavor or quality.
• Irresistible Texture & Flavor: You’ll achieve a flaky, golden-brown crust that contrasts beautifully with a super tender, richly seasoned meat filling. Each bite is a delightful combination of savory beef, aromatic spices, and a hint of cheese.
• Quick Cooking Time: With the air fryer, your empanadas will be cooked to perfection in a fraction of the time compared to traditional baking or deep frying, allowing you to enjoy homemade goodness even on busy weeknights.

Key Ingredients and Smart Substitutions

Crafting the perfect empanada starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:

• Empanada Discs: These are your shortcut to quick empanadas! You can typically find these pre-made, thawed dough discs in the Hispanic or frozen foods section of your local supermarket. They save a tremendous amount of time and effort compared to making dough from scratch. Ensure they are fully thawed before use for easy handling.
• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) works best as it provides flavor without excessive grease. However, feel free to use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter alternative. Ensure you brown it well for maximum flavor.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the best aromatic punch, but granulated garlic powder is a perfectly acceptable substitute if you’re in a pinch. About 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic can replace 1 clove of fresh garlic.
• Olives: Sliced green olives add a delightful briny, tangy counterpoint to the rich beef filling. If you’re not an olive fan, capers can offer a similar briny kick, or you can omit them entirely if preferred. They are an optional but recommended addition for authentic flavor.
• Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture. However, feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend, depending on your flavor preference. Use what you have on hand!
• Vino Seco (Dry Cooking Wine): A splash of dry cooking wine adds depth and complexity to the beef filling, enhancing its savory notes. If you don’t have cooking wine, a splash of any dry white drinking wine will work just as well. This ingredient is optional but highly recommended for an authentic taste.
• Sazon: This popular Hispanic seasoning blend is a game-changer, adding vibrant color and a burst of savory flavor to the filling. If you don’t have Sazon on hand, you can create a similar flavor profile by combining your favorite spices like paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of annatto or turmeric for color.
• Other Spices (Oregano, Cumin, Bay Leaf): These classic spices are essential for building the deep, aromatic foundation of the beef filling, giving it that traditional empanada taste. Don’t skip them!

Step-By-Step Guide to Perfect Air Fryer Empanadas

Follow these detailed steps to create delicious, crispy air fryer ground beef empanadas:

1. Brown the Beef: Begin by breaking up the ground beef in a large skillet or pot. Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until it’s completely browned. This usually takes about 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to prevent a greasy filling.
2. Sauté Aromatics & Simmer Filling: Add the finely diced onions and minced garlic to the browned beef and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, Sazon, olives, vino seco (if using), and the bay leaf. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Once cooked, remove the bay leaf and allow the ground beef filling to cool for at least 10 minutes. A cooler filling is easier to handle and prevents the dough from becoming too soft.
3. Fill the Empanada Discs: Lay each thawed empanada disc on a lightly floured surface. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef mixture and 1 tablespoon of cheese (or your preferred amount) in the center of each disc. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make sealing difficult.
4. Seal the Empanadas: Gently fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal. For a classic look and extra security, use a fork to crimp down along the entire curved edge of the empanada. This helps prevent the filling from escaping during cooking.
5. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This ensures the air fryer is at the optimal temperature for immediate crisping. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
6. First Air Fryer Cook: Arrange the prepared empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Brush the tops of the empanadas with a simple egg wash (one egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water) for a beautiful golden-brown finish. Cook for 4 minutes.
7. Second Air Fryer Cook: After 4 minutes, carefully flip the empanadas. Brush the other side with egg wash. Continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until both sides are deeply golden brown and crispy.
8. Rest and Enjoy: Once cooked, transfer the empanadas to a wire rack and allow them to cool for 2 minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps them firm up and become even crispier. Enjoy them warm!

Baking vs. Air Frying: An Alternative Method

While the air fryer is our preferred method for achieving ultimate crispiness with less oil, you can absolutely bake these empanadas if you don’t have an air fryer or simply prefer to use your oven. For oven-baked empanadas, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush them with egg wash, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. They will still be delicious, though perhaps slightly less crispy than their air-fried counterparts.

Expert Tips for Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Empanadas

Achieving air fryer empanada perfection is simple with these expert tips:

• Don’t Skimp on the Egg Wash: Brushing the empanadas thoroughly with egg wash on both sides is crucial. It not only helps achieve that beautiful, irresistible golden-brown color but also contributes to the desired crispy texture.
• Seal Those Edges Tight: A proper seal is key to preventing your delicious filling from escaping during cooking. Press the edges together firmly with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to create a decorative and secure crimp. This extra step ensures a contained and mess-free empanada.
• Avoid Overfilling: While tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, overfilling can make it difficult to seal the empanadas properly, leading to ruptures during cooking. Stick to the recommended 2 tablespoons of filling per disc.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For optimal crispiness and even cooking, always cook empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cooking in batches ensures hot air circulates properly around each empanada, preventing them from steaming instead of crisping.
• Cool the Filling: Allow the ground beef filling to cool slightly before assembling the empanadas. Hot filling can make the dough soft and difficult to work with, increasing the risk of tears or improper sealing.
• Serve with a Kick: While delicious on their own, empanadas are fantastic when paired with a dipping sauce. Try a vibrant hot sauce for a spicy kick, a fresh and zesty chimichurri, or even a simple sour cream or salsa for added flavor.

Making Ahead & Freezing Air Fryer Empanadas

Empanadas are an excellent make-ahead meal or appetizer, perfect for busy schedules or impromptu gatherings. You can certainly prepare these in advance and freeze them for later enjoyment. Here’s how:

To Freeze Uncooked Empanadas: Assemble the empanadas as instructed in steps 1-4, but do not brush with egg wash or air fry them. Place the uncooked empanadas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze overnight until solid. The following day, transfer the frozen empanadas to a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To Cook Frozen Empanadas: When you’re ready to enjoy, there’s no need to thaw! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the frozen empanadas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, brush with egg wash, and cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing with egg wash again, until they are golden brown and heated through. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your empanadas.

To Store Cooked Empanadas: Leftover cooked empanadas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until crispy and warm, or in a conventional oven until heated through.

Empanada Variations to Try

While this ground beef recipe is a classic, empanadas are incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

• Chicken Empanadas: Substitute the ground beef with cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!) and use a similar seasoning blend, perhaps adding a touch of lime juice or cilantro.
• Pork Empanadas: Pulled pork or seasoned ground pork can make a fantastic filling. Experiment with smoky flavors like chipotle or a sweet and savory glaze.
• Vegetarian Empanadas: Create a hearty vegetarian filling with black beans, corn, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite spices. Add crumbled feta or cotija cheese for extra flavor.
• Spicy Empanadas: Amp up the heat by adding diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
• Sweet Empanadas: Don’t limit yourself to savory! Empanadas can also be a delightful dessert. Fill them with guava paste and cream cheese, apple pie filling, or dulce de leche for a sweet treat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Empanadas

Here are some common questions about making empanadas in the air fryer:

• Can I use homemade empanada dough? Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade dough recipe, you can definitely use it. Just ensure the dough is rolled thin enough for crispiness in the air fryer and that your discs are cut to the appropriate size.
• My empanadas aren’t crispy enough, what went wrong? This usually happens if the air fryer basket is overcrowded, preventing proper air circulation. Always cook in a single layer. Also, ensure your air fryer is fully preheated, and don’t skip the egg wash!
• How do I prevent the empanadas from sticking to the basket? Always lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil or a non-stick spray before placing the empanadas. You can also use parchment paper air fryer liners if you prefer.
• What kind of ground beef is best? A leaner ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) is recommended to avoid excessive grease in your filling, which can make the empanadas soggy. If using fattier beef, make sure to drain the fat thoroughly after browning.
• Can I use an oil spray instead of brushing with egg wash? While an oil spray can provide some crispiness, the egg wash is superior for achieving that beautiful golden color and a richer, flakier crust. We highly recommend using egg wash for the best results.

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes to Explore

If you love the convenience and crispy results of air frying, you’ll definitely want to check out these other fantastic air fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Mexican Corn
• Air Fryer Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Have you tried these amazing air fryer ground beef empanadas? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback helps us and other home cooks discover new favorites! And for more delicious recipes and kitchen inspiration, consider following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!