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Empanadas are Latin American portable pies with a savory or sweet filling encased in a crescent-shaped, wavy crust of dough. They can be small as appetizers or larger as main courses. The dough is made with flour, lard, egg, and water and can be filled with various ingredients, including meat, vegetables, cheese, and fruit. Empanadas can be baked or fried and are usually eaten by hand.
An empanada is the Latin American version of the pie-shaped portable dishes found in multiple cuisines around the world. Different variations abound, but an empanada always consists of a savory or sweet filling encased in a crescent-shaped, wavy crust of dough. The filling of choice is simply encased in a crust pastry and then baked or fried before serving. Empanadas can be small to be eaten as appetizers, snacks or desserts, or they can be larger and more filling for main courses.
Many cuisines around the world feature dishes similar to the empanada, including Italian calzones, Indian samosas, and European dumplings. Just like these other dishes, empanadas have great potential for different filling fillings within a doughy crust. In fact, the name “empanada” comes from the Spanish verb empanar, which means “to wrap in bread.” Different countries, cities, and households have their own traditional empanada recipes, so you’re almost guaranteed to find a version to suit every taste.
The dough for most empanadas, regardless of the fillings they contain, is usually very plain and made with flour, lard, egg, and water. This recipe results in a slightly neutral flavored dough, making it versatile enough to pair with several possible filling flavors. After the dough is mixed, it is rolled out into thin circles and is ready to be filled.
Empanadas for a main course or appetizer often contain some type of meat, such as beef, chicken or pork. The meat can be mixed with herbs, spices, vegetables, and cheese to make a delicious savory filling. Vegetarian versions are also possible and could include bulkier vegetables like potatoes to add some heartiness. Generally, all the ingredients are baked together to blend the flavors and create a cohesive filling for the pastry.
Dessert empanadas use the same crust as the savory versions. It is quite common for these sweet pastries to be filled with fruit mixtures. The resulting dessert is somewhat similar to turnovers or miniature cakes.
Building an empanada is simple enough, and when done correctly, creates a tidy, easy-to-eat, portable meal or snack. The filling is poured onto one half of the thin dough circles. The other half of the dough is folded over the top of the filling, creating a crescent-shaped packet.
To keep the filling secure inside, the edges of the dough are pushed together, sealing all of the filling. Empanadas are usually baked in the oven but can also be fried in oil to produce a crispy brown crust. When the empanadas are done cooking, they are usually wrapped in paper and eaten by hand.
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