26 Empanada Recipes That Are Crispy, Flaky Perfection

These empanada recipes are perfect for any time you need a great snack or meal. They are easy to carry and delicious to eat just about anywhere you go. You can find all sorts of fillings, from savory meats to sweet treats. These tasty hand pies are a hit at parties, for lunch, or as a quick bite that everyone will really enjoy.

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Shrimp Empanadas

A plate of golden-brown empanadas surrounded by fresh cilantro, served with a small bowl of green dipping sauce on a white background. — Shrimp Empanadas. Photo credit: Chisel and Fork.

Shrimp Empanadas are made with an easy homemade dough and filled with shrimp and a little chorizo for a tasty twist with an extra kick that seafood lovers will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Empanadas

Chicken Empanadas

Known as Empanadas de Pollo, these Chicken Empanadas have a flaky dough filled with savory chicken, making them a much better option than any store-bought treats.
Get the recipe: Chicken Empanadas

Patatas Bravas Empanadas

A wooden board displays multiple golden-brown empanadas sprinkled with paprika. A small bowl of creamy dip with a dusting of paprika sits to the side. The scene suggests a flavorful and appetizing setup. — Patatas Bravas Empanadas. Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

These Patatas Bravas Empanadas bring together spicy potatoes, peppers, and aioli filling inside a flaky pastry crust for a delicious and satisfying snack or a yummy appetizer.
Get the recipe: Patatas Bravas Empanadas

Empanadas de Cajeta (Mexican Caramel Empanadas)

Top view of a plate with two flaky pastries cut in half, revealing their cinnamon-sugar coating. To the right is a cooling rack with more pastries, and a jar of spread with a spoon inside it sits above the plate. — Empanadas de Cajeta. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

With a flaky crust and gooey Mexican caramel inside, Empanadas de Cajeta are a sweet dessert that is going to be a new favorite for anyone who loves treats.
Get the recipe: Empanadas de Cajeta

Beef Empanadas Recipe

A close-up of a plate with several golden-brown empanadas. The pastries have a slightly shiny surface and crimped edges, indicating they are freshly baked. They are arranged closely together on a white rectangular dish. — Beef Empanadas Recipe. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

This Beef Empanadas Recipe features a flavorful filling of ground beef, cheese, and veggies, baked to golden perfection for parties, weeknight dinners, or lunch on the go.
Get the recipe: Beef Empanadas Recipe

Tuna Empanadas

A white plate holds two golden-brown empanadas, served with a small bowl of herb and spice sauce. Additional empanadas are visible in the background on a tray, and another small bowl of sauce sits nearby. A beige and red checkered cloth is partially visible on the side. — Tuna Empanadas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Tuna Empanadas are like tasty little pies filled with the delicious flavors of Mexican seafood that your whole family and their friends are sure to really enjoy.
Get Recipe: Tuna Empanadas

Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas

A white rectangular plate holds seven golden-brown, half-moon-shaped pastries. A bowl of caramel sauce and a green apple are nearby. Another pastry and some sugar are in the background on a white cloth. — Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

These Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas have a sweet apple caramel filling wrapped in a crispy crust, making them a new favorite treat.
Get the recipe: Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas

Apple Empanadas

You will love these Apple Empanadas because they are a super tasty snack or dessert that goes quick, so you will want to make plenty of them.
Get the recipe: Apple Empanadas

Empanadas de Queso (Cheese Empanadas)

Three golden-brown cheese empanadas are arranged in a row on a blue and white decorative plate. The empanadas have crimped edges and a slightly flaky crust. — Empanadas de Queso. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Empanadas de Queso are tasty bites of delicious cheese that make an easy Mexican appetizer, perfect for your next party or get-together.
Get the recipe: Empanadas de Queso

Pizza Empanadas

Close-up of golden-brown empanadas on a white rectangular plate. Each empanada has crimped edges and is lightly sprinkled with spices, resting on a wooden surface next to a white napkin. — Pizza Empanadas. Photo credit: Princess Pinky Girl.

Pizza Empanadas have a flaky and buttery pastry stuffed with melted mozzarella and mini pepperoni for a simple yet fancy appetizer or light lunch.
Get the recipe: Pizza Empanadas

Pineapple Empanadas

This recipe for Pineapple Empanadas makes vegan treats that are both sweet and a little tangy, creating a perfect dessert for everyone in the family.
Get the recipe: Pineappple Empanadas

Blueberry Empanadas

Blueberry Empanadas feature a flaky crust with a juicy blueberry filling, making them a superb choice for a snack or a sweet delight any time.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Empanadas

The Best Cheesesteak Empanada Recipe

A plate of freshly baked empanadas is displayed next to a bowl containing sliced onion and green pepper. The empanadas are golden brown with a flaky crust, placed on a rectangular white dish on a marble countertop. — The Best Cheesesteak Empanada Recipe. Photo credit: Brooklyn Active Mama.

The Best Cheesesteak Empanada Recipe is perfect for lovers of rich flavors, offering a convenient and handheld form that is great as appetizers or snacks.
Get the recipe: The Best Cheesesteak Empanada Recipe

Mushroom Empanadas

Two fried empanadas on a brown oval plate with a fork beside them. Accompanied by small cups of dipping sauces: one with a green sauce and the other with diced tomatoes and vegetables. A glass of water and napkins are in the background. — Mushroom Empanadas. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

These versatile Mushroom Empanadas are packed with savory goodness from tender mushrooms and melty cheese nestled in a golden crust for a hand-held meal.
Get the recipe: Mushroom Empanadas

Easy Homemade Ground Beef Empanada Recipe

Close-up of two golden-brown baked empanadas on a wooden surface. The empanadas have a crimped edge with a slightly textured, flaky surface. — Easy Homemade Ground Beef Empanada Recipe. Photo credit: Krystel’s Cooking.

These Easy Homemade Ground Beef Empanadas bring a taste of Latin America to your table with seasoned ground beef that turns any meal into a colorful fiesta.
Get the recipe: Easy Homemade Ground Beef Empanada Recipe

Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas

Golden-brown empanadas filled with savory meat mixture are displayed on a metal tray. One empanada is cut open to reveal its rich, flavorful interior. Garnished with finely chopped herbs. — Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas. Photo credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas are packed with veggies and meat and wrapped in flaky pie crust for a fun and filling meal the whole family will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Empanadas

Easy Tuna Hand Pie (Portuguese Tuna Empanadas)

Four golden-brown empanadas with sesame seeds are lined up on a wooden cutting board, next to a blue and white checkered cloth. — Easy Tuna Hand Pie (Portuguese Tuna Empanadas). Photo credit: Weekday Pescatarian.

These Easy Tuna Hand Pies have savory tuna nestled in a chewy and salt-crusted pizza dough, making for a satisfying snack or a light lunch.
Get the recipe: Easy Tuna Hand Pie (Portuguese Tuna Empanadas)

Super Easy Caprese Empanadas (Vegetarian Empanadas Recipe)

Close-up of golden-brown empanadas on parchment paper, with one cut open to reveal a filling of melted cheese and diced tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves are scattered around for garnish. — Super Easy Caprese Empanadas (Vegetarian Empanadas Recipe). Photo credit: Lauren Fit Foodie.

Bring the taste of Italy to your table with these Super Easy Caprese Empanadas that have fresh tomatoes, basil, and creamy cheese wrapped in a flaky crust.
Get the recipe: Super Easy Caprese Empanadas (Vegetarian Empanadas Recipe)

Sweet Empanada Cookies

A wooden board with powdered sugar-dusted empanadas arranged on it. Some are placed near a textured burlap fabric. A bowl filled with dark red fruit filling or jam is beside them, creating a rustic and inviting scene. — Sweet Empanada Cookies. Photo credit: Food Nutters.

Sweet Empanada Cookies are a unique treat that combines a crispy exterior with a gooey and sweet center for a really irresistible pastry.
Get the recipe: Sweet Empanada Cookies

Puff Pastry Apple Hand Pies

Two golden-brown pastries sit on a white plate. A red and white checkered cloth and forks are nearby on a woven placemat, with a white basket in the background. — Puff Pastry Apple Hand Pies. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Puff Pastry Apple Hand Pies use flaky and buttery puff pastry to envelop sweet and gooey apple pie filling for a quick and easy cozy dessert.
Get the recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Hand Pies

Oxtail Empanadas with Chimichurri Sauce

A colorful plate of golden-brown empanadas garnished with fresh herbs is arranged in a circle. A small bowl of green sauce sits beside the plate on a wooden surface. — Oxtail Empanadas with Chimichurri Sauce. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

These Oxtail Empanadas have a rich and flavorful oxtail filling wrapped in a flaky crust and topped with a zesty chimichurri sauce for a great meal.
Get the recipe: Oxtail Empanadas with Chimichurri Sauce

Christmas Empanadas (Air Fryer + Oven)

Christmas tree-shaped pastries, golden and flaky, arranged on a festive floral plate. Crisp lettuce leaves and small dried cranberries are placed around them for decoration. — Christmas Empanadas (Air Fryer + Oven). Photo credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

Christmas Empanadas are shaped like Christmas trees and filled with chicken, avocado, and red bell pepper for a fun and tasty treat that kids will love.
Get the recipe: Christmas Empanadas (Air Fryer + Oven)

Crawfish Hand Pie Recipe

Golden brown empanadas with sesame seeds are arranged on a wooden board lined with parchment paper. The pastries are folded and crimped, sitting on a woven mat, with a hint of chopped green onions for garnish. — Crawfish Hand Pie Recipe. Photo credit: Weekday Pescatarian.

Celebrate with these Crawfish Hand Pies that are packed with flavorful crawfish filling and wrapped in a flaky crust to be the best party pleaser.
Get the recipe: Crawfish Hand Pie Recipe

Ham and Cheese Empanadas

A close-up of golden-brown fried empanadas sprinkled with green onions and chili flakes on a white surface. A small dish with a creamy dipping sauce is partially visible on the side. — Ham and Cheese Empanadas. Photo credit: Britney Breaks Bread.

These Ham and Cheese Empanadas are deep-fried with caramelized onions and served with ranch dipping sauce for the ultimate handheld comfort food.
Get the recipe: Ham and Cheese Empanadas

Baked Beef Empanadas

Golden-brown empanadas arranged on a wooden surface, garnished with chopped green onions and basil leaves. — Baked Beef Empanadas. Photo credit: Homemade Hooplah.

Whip up a satisfying appetizer with these Baked Beef Empanadas that have savory ground beef, peppers, and onions in a flaky and convenient crust.
Get the recipe: Baked Beef Empanadas

Short-Cut Sautéed Onion, Ham, and Cheese Empanadas

A white plate filled with golden-brown, baked empanadas on a light-colored table. Two small plates hold a partially eaten empanada each. A blue checkered cloth is on the table, along with two glasses of light-colored liquid. — Short-Cut Sautéed Onion, Ham, and Cheese Empanadas. Photo credit: Little Black Skillet.

Short-Cut Sautéed Onion, Ham, and Cheese Empanadas use refrigerated pie crust dough to save prep time for a healthier baked snack without the hassle.
Get the recipe: Short-Cut Sautéed Onion, Ham, and Cheese Empanadas