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The key to perfect empanada dough is to find the balance between a dough that is sturdy enough to hold the filling without breaking or falling apart, while still being delicious. My recipe strikes that perfect balance and is easy to make!

I just discovered the culinary joy that is empanadas. I cannot believe that I have lived this long and had never heard of an empanada until Maria Empanada opened near my home. I am now completely obsessed with this little pocket that can be filled with so many amazing flavors.
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What is an Empanada?
Empanada comes from the Spanish word empanar, which means to coat or wrap in bread. The recipes are closely guarded family secrets and can vary from household to household. However, all recipes have one thing in common: the dough is rolled out, filled, and then folded over into a half-moon shape and baked or fried.
Empanada Dough
In researching how to make an empanada, I came across many recipes that were similar to pie dough. Actually, they were the same as basic pie dough. The result was a dry and flaky empanada, where the flavor of the dough was stronger than the filling. I did not like the result and wished for a dough closer to the dough at Maria Empanada.
I kept going back to the drawing board. Researching different fillings and watching interviews with the owner of Maria Empanada to determine why her empanada shell was different. The best I could tell was that she incorporated margarine and baking powder while removing vinegar from her recipe. This seemed to be very different from any other empanada recipe.
It took a few tries, but I developed a dough recipe that forms a nice shell, has a bit of a crunch, and complements any empanada filling. This dough differs from Maria's because I added sugar and warm milk. However, I felt it was just perfect, and I am very excited by how it tastes and holds up against soggy bottoms.:)
Instructions
First, gather all your ingredients. Most of them you will already probably have in your kitchen.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup margarine
- 1 large egg yolk
- I large egg (optional)
- ¾ cup warm milk
- Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar using a whisk. These are your dry ingredients.
- Add the margarine to your dry ingredients and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter; mix until the flour mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and the milk in small amounts until the dough forms. Pat dough into a round disk.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to ⅛ an inch thickness. Cut the dough into equal pieces into a circle shape. The size of your empanada depends on personal preference and what you are cooking. Here is the general rule of thumb I use when making empanadas.
- Appetizer - use a pastry mat or a bowl, and cut the dough into 6-inch rounds.
- Main Dish - use a pastry mat or a plate, and cut the dough into 8-inch rounds.
- Dessert - use a drinking glass to cut about 3-inch rounds.
- Fill the empanada with the desired filling/s.
- Fold in half and pinch into shape. For a traditional look, you can press your fork into the dough, where you just pinched the dough together. Place on a baking sheet.
- For a golden shiny look, brush the top of the dough with a beaten egg. (Egg wash)
- Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Expert Tips to Make the Perfect Dough
Tip | Description |
---|---|
Cut the dough into uniform circles. | Use an empanada press, cookie cutter, or a small bowl to cut the dough into desired-sized circles. This will help ensure that your empanadas are uniform in size and shape. |
Don't overwork the dough. | Overworking the dough can make it tough and chewy. Mix the dough until it comes together, then knead it gently until it is smooth and pliable. |
Carefully fill the empanadas. | Spoon the filling into the center of each empanada circle, leaving enough room around the edges to seal the dough. I feel like less is more when it comes to filling an empanada. Too much filling and can break during baking. |
Keep your ingredients cold. | Empanada dough is similar to pastry dough. The key to getting it just right is to keep your ingredients cold. This includes not overworking them with your hands or fully incorporating the butter into the dough. |
Roll the dough to the right thickness. | Empanada dough should be rolled out to about ⅛ inch thickness. If the dough is too thin, it will tear or break when you fold it around the filling. If it's too thick, the crust will be doughy and heavy. |
Seal the edges well | Use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges of the empanadas together, sealing in the filling. Ensure the edges are tightly sealed, or the filling may leak out during baking. |
Empanada Filling Ideas
There are countless options to make empanada fillings, which can be tailored to suit individual tastes and preferences. The fillings can range from savory to sweet and can be made with various meats, vegetables, cheeses, and fruits.
Empanada filling can also be adapted to suit different dietary restrictions and preferences. For example, vegetarians can enjoy fillings made with mushrooms, cheese, and vegetables, while vegans can use tofu, lentils, or sweet potatoes as a base. Those on a gluten-free diet can make empanada dough with alternative flour, such as almond or chickpea flour. Endless variations can be created by combining different ingredients and seasonings, and here are a few ideas to get you started.
Category | Filling Ideas |
---|---|
Appetizers | Beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, spinach and feta, spinach and ricotta, shrimp and cheese. |
Breakfast | Bacon and egg, ham and cheese, sausage and egg, potato and egg, chorizo and egg. |
Dessert | Apple cinnamon, chocolate and Nutella, banana and Nutella, peach and cream cheese, pumpkin and cream cheese, strawberry, and cream cheese. |
Main Meals | Beef and potato, chicken and potato, pork and apple, spinach and mushroom, vegetable and black bean. |
Vegetarian | Black bean and corn, cheese and onion, mushroom and onion, roasted vegetable, spinach, and cheese. |
Vegan | Black bean and sweet potato, lentil and vegetable, mushroom and spinach, potato and onion, vegetable and tofu. |
Flavors from Around the World
The fun thing about empanadas is you are not limited to the flavor of one region. In fact, you can have fun and fill these delicious pockets with all kinds of flavors from around the world. My favorite is making a samosa empanada filled with potatoes and peas. Here are just a few flavors ideas from around the world.
Country | Filling Ideas |
---|---|
Argentina | Beef and onion, ham and cheese, spinach and ricotta, tuna and tomato |
Brazil | Black beans and rice, chicken, and corn, ground beef and olives, hearts of palm, and cream cheese |
Chile | Chicken and cheese, corn and cheese, seafood and cheese, squash and onion |
Colombia | Beef and potato, chicken and potato, pork and chorizo, plantain and cheese |
Cuba | Beef and tomato, chicken and peppers, ham and cheese, picadillo (ground beef with raisins and olives) |
India | Chickpea and potato, lamb and onion, paneer and spinach, potato, and pea |
Japan | Chicken and shiitake mushrooms, pork and cabbage, shrimp and vegetable, teriyaki chicken |
Middle East | Beef and eggplant, lamb and feta, spinach and feta, za'atar chicken |
Mexico | Chicken and green chiles, pork and pineapple, potato and chorizo, refried beans and cheese |
Spain | Chorizo and potato, ham and cheese, seafood and tomato, spinach, and chickpea |
United States | BBQ pulled pork, buffalo chicken, cheeseburger, green chile mac and cheese, red chile Frito pie |
Make-Ahead and Storing
Refrigerator Instructions: Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap for up to two days.
Freezer Instructions: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to three months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and roll into shape the next day.
Great British Baking Show Bake
Season 1, Episode 5, Technical - Cornish Pasty/Empanada
Count 13 down, 265 to go!
Recipe
How to Make Perfect Empanada Dough
Equipment
- No special equipment needed
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup margarine
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 large egg (optional)
- ¾ cup warm milk
Instructions
- Using a whisk, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar to fully incorporate all ingredients. These are your dry ingredients.3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon sugar
- Cut the margarine into small pieces and, using your hand's mix margarine into the dry ingredients. The result should look like bread crumbs.½ cup margarine
- Add the egg yolk and the milk in small amounts until the dough forms.1 large egg yolk, ¾ cup warm milk
- Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gather together, then knead gently with the heel of your hand once or twice, just enough to bring the dough together.
- Flatten the dough into a disk, then wrap in cling wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least1 an hour.
- Roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thickness and cut into desired circles using a pastry mat, bowl, plate, or glass. See notes for circle size suggestions.
- Fill empanada with the desired filling/s and then fold in half and pinch into shape.
- Whisk an egg and brush the top of the empanada with an egg wash for a shiny golden look.1 large egg (optional)
- Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Appetizer empanada - use a pastry mat or a bowl, cut the dough into 6-inch rounds.
- Main course empanada - use a pastry mat or a plate, cut the dough into 8-inch rounds.
- Dessert empanada - use a drinking glass to cut about 3-inch rounds.
Liz D.
Everyone enjoyed the empanadas I made using your recipe! Super easy to make and tasty. I actually cut the dough to 13 equal parts, and rolled each dough ball out individually; it work es well.
Ruth Grindeland
Hello Liz, I am so happy you liked my recipe. Your comments made my day so much brighter. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. ??
Maria Rodriguez
I made this recipe vegan by using oat milk instead of dairy milk, and substituting 1 tablespoon tapioca starch for the egg yolk. My family loved them made with vegan taco filling or sweet potatoes and black beans for dinner, and blueberry and apple pie filling for dessert. After chilling the dough for an hour, it is so easy to roll out and prepare the empanadas from. A great recipe that bakes up beautifully and doesn't get soggy when leftover!
Ruth Grindeland
Hello Maria, I am so happy you liked it! I have vegan empanadas on my list of recipes to develop. Would you be ok if I used your modifications? They sound perfect!