Get ready to make these delicious Air Fryer Empanadas using a puff pastry in your air fryer or Ninja Foodi!
These easy Air Fryer Empanadas are a quick, customizable snack or meal you can make with store-bought puff pastry and a hot air fryer or Ninja Foodi. They aren’t a traditional empanada dough, but using puff pastry delivers a flaky, golden hand pie that’s simple to prepare and easy to adapt to your tastes.
Switch up the filling, vegetables, or spices to suit your family — these empanadas are forgiving and versatile.
What dough do you use for Air Fryer Empanadas?
This recipe uses ready-made puff pastry sheets for convenience and a light, flaky crust—similar to the pastry used in many air fryer hand pies. If you prefer a traditional empanada dough, you can use a classic recipe instead; just be aware that different doughs can require different cook times, so monitor closely when air frying.
This version follows cooking times suitable for puff pastry. If you swap doughs, adjust the time and temperature as needed.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Empanadas:
The filling here is ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, combined with beef broth and a mix of vegetables for texture and flavor. You’ll cook the filling first on the stove in a skillet, or in the Ninja Foodi using the sauté function. If you use the Ninja Foodi, clean the pot after sautéing before switching to Air Crisp for baking the empanadas.
Because air fryers vary, the browning time can differ. Start with 8–10 minutes at 360°F and keep an eye on them. A light egg wash before cooking gives the pastry a beautiful golden finish. If needed, a quick spray of neutral oil such as grapeseed will help with browning.
These empanadas are hand-pie sized and sealed by pressing the edges with a fork. Serve them warm with your favorite salsa or dipping sauce for an easy lunch, dinner, or party appetizer.
Air Fryer Empanadas
Air Fryer Fanatics
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Ingredients
- 1 Package of Puff Pastry Sheets 2 Sheets
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- 1 Package of Taco Seasoning or Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1/2 Cup Beef Broth
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Yellow or White Onion
- 1/4 Cup Sliced Carrots
- 1 Cup Diced Potato Peeled
- 2 Eggs Beaten
Instructions
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Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess fat if needed, then stir in the taco seasoning according to package directions or your homemade blend.
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Reduce the heat and add the beef broth, chopped onion, sliced carrots, and diced potato.
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Simmer until the vegetables are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed into the mixture. Remove from heat and let cool slightly so the filling holds together.
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Meanwhile, unfold the puff pastry sheets and, if needed, gently roll or stretch them to flatten. Use a round biscuit cutter to cut circles from the pastry.
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Place a spoonful of the cooled filling on each pastry circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon and press the edges together. Crimp with the tines of a fork to seal.
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Arrange the filled empanadas in the air fryer basket or Ninja Foodi drawer in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation.
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Brush each empanada with beaten egg for an egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish.
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Air fry at 360°F for 8–10 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and browned. If desired, lightly spray with grapeseed or other high-heat oil before cooking for extra crispness.
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Cook additional batches as needed, following the same steps.
Notes
Nutrition
