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It can be quite easy to make yourself and create the best base for your sweet and savory empanada recipes. So, are you ready to learn how to make empanada dough? Let’s get started!
What You Need For This Recipe
This flaky empanada dough recipe has a lot of similarities to pastry dough. One of the main ingredients is butter. If you would want to make it vegan you could try vegan butter but be aware that vegan butter contains more water than regular butter.
To make empanada dough you need the following ingredients. Have them ready when you start:
- All-purpose flour – you can make dough using all-purpose flour. The dough looks similar to pie dough due to the amount of butter
- Butter – I prefer to make this dough with unsalted butter
- Egg – use a large egg
- Salt – to give the crust taste you need salt in the dough
- Water – combine all the ingredients into the dough
Note that the full ingredients list, including measurements, can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Empanada Dough
- To make empanada dough for baking start with flour and salt. I use a kitchen machine and pulse the salt through the flour. Then take the butter and slice it into small pieces about 15 pieces of butter.
- Again, pulse the kitchen machine to combine the flour and butter. You get a crumbly structure. Whisk the egg in a separate bowl. Now it is time to add the beaten egg and drizzle the water in a steady stream while the kitchen machine pulses.
- At this point, you will get a consistent flaky dough. Take the dough out of the kitchen machine and wrap it in foil.
- Let it rest in the refrigerator for an hour. Then you can use it to make your empanadas. You can leave it in the fridge if you plan on using it within a day or two or store it in the freezer.
- When you are ready to use the dough divide it in half. Roll the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick (a bit over ½ centimeter).
- Take a small plate, an empanada cutter, or a large cookie cutter ring to cut the discs. If they are too thick flatten the empanada discs with your rolling pin.
- That’s it, your empanada dough is ready to use.
What Is An Empanada?
Empanada originates from the Spanish word empanar which means covered by bread dough. That is just what we are doing with this recipe for empanada dough.
An empanada is a baked or fried turnover consisting of a filling that is covered with pastry that is common in Latin America and Filipinos.
The filling is mostly of meat, cheese, fish, pork, apples, pineapples, or other ingredients, that are baked in the oven or fried in oil. I first encountered empanadas in Spain in the local bakery shops that have long oval empanadas with savory fillings like:
However, the empanada is a world recipe as you can find in many countries and regions like North and South America, Europe like Spain and Italy but also Cape Verde and the Philippines.
Most likely this recipe traveled from Spain all across the globe. Empanadas are also known as:
- Hand pies
- Turnovers
- Galician pie or empanada gallega – this is a rectangular pie
Homemade Empanada Dough
Making homemade empanada dough is very easy. You can make it quite easy by hand but it is even easier if you have a kitchen machine. In both cases, it does not require a lot of kneading which is a good thing.
You can make it with a sweet or a savory filling. If you have leftover dough? Great, use it with your favorite filling. When you make this easy dough recipe you can adjust the dough to your liking.
So, add some spices and herbs to enhance the taste of the crust, or make it sweet if you want to turn it into a sweet dessert.
You can make an empanada shell using a plate or lid. I have an empanada cutter that I can use to cut a disc and fold an empanada.
Of course, you can fold an empanada by hand which is how it should be done but empanada molds work very well.
How Long Should You Bake Filled Empanadas?
When you have made your empanadas and brushed them with egg wash all you have to do is preheat your oven to 400℉/200℃.
Bake the empanadas for 20 to 25 minutes and your empanadas should be golden brown if they lack that golden color leave them in for another 5 minutes.
Can You Freeze Empanada Dough?
Yes, this dough freezes well so you have two options after making the dough:
- Freeze dough – cut the desired amount of dough, put it in plastic wrap, and store it in the freezer
- Freeze shells – cut the desired amount of dough. Roll the dough and cut empanada discs with a plate or empanada shape. When storing the discs, separate the empanada shells with some baking paper
When you want to use the shells, thaw them about 15 minutes before use. If you flatten the complete dough, it will take at least 45 minutes to thaw.
You can also store the dough in the fridge but not for more than 24 hours. If you need more time cut the dough into portions and freeze it.
How Big Is An Empanada?
Traditionally, an empanada is six inches in diameter. When you use these empanada presses or empanada molds you get 5 different sizes 6.1 inches, 4.7 inches, 3.7 inches, 3 inches, and 2.7 inches.
You can make them any size you want or adjust them to the tools you are using like:
- Empanada cutter
- Cookie-cutter
- Small plate
- Biscuit cutter
- Coffee lid
- Circular cutter
If you want to make a mini or small version also known as empanaditas they measure 3 inches in diameter.
Can I Make This Empanada Dough Gluten-Free?
When you want to substitute all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour take a look at this gluten-free empanada dough recipe.
Making gluten-free empanada dough requires some additional ingredients like xanthan gum, cream cheese, and apple cider vinegar.
More Empanada Recipes
When you’ve made this dough take a look at these recipes to give you inspiration on how to fill them:
- Beef empanadas – make this easy beef filling to create beef empanadas. These freeze very well so you can make a batch and eat when desired
- Sweet empanadas – great for dessert or a sweet snack
- Spanish empanadillas de bonito – Spanish empanadas with tuna
- Breakfast empanadas – great to make on the weekend or serve with your brunch
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How To Make Empanada Dough
Want to learn how to make homemade empanada dough? Try this easy empanada dough recipe. You can make it by hand or with a kitchen machine.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 gram)
- ¾ cup/170 gram cold butter (note 1)
- ¼ cup to ½ cup of water (note 2)
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine flour and salt in kitchen machine pulse twice to combine flour and salt
- Cut the butter in 15 small pieces. Add to the flour and pulse the kitchen machine to combine. You get a crumbly structure
- Add the beaten egg and drizzle the water in a steady stream while the kitchen machine pulses. It will turn into a consistent flaky dough
- Take the dough out of the kitchen machine and wrap it in foil. Rest in the fridge for 1 hour
- Leave it in the fridge if you plan on using it within a day or two or store it in the freezer. If you are ready to use it, divide the dough in half and roll the dough into a rectangle of about ¼ inch thick (a bit over ½ centimeter)
- Cut the empanadas using a small plate, empanada cutter or large cookie cutter
Notes
Note 1 - Use unsalted butter in this recipe Note 2 - If the dough is too dry after adding ¼ cup of water you can add more water. Add 1 teaspoon at a time until the dough is neither wet or dry
Click To Play Recipe Video
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Nutrition facts
Calories: 204; Fat: 11g; Carbs: 22g; Protein; 3.5g;
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49 Comments
Erin
10/28/2019 at 1:07 amLooks easy, but how long do you bake the filled empanadas?
Mireille
10/28/2019 at 6:29 amThat is a very good question Erin, thanks for that. You bake the filled empanadas for 20-25 minutes at 400℉. Your empanadas should be golden brown.
Erin
10/30/2019 at 12:05 amThank you! I am making tonight.
MaryEllen
10/30/2019 at 10:41 pmHow thinly do you roll out the dough?
Mireille
10/31/2019 at 6:29 amMaryEllen,
I roll the dough to about 1/4 of inch (a bit over half a centimeter).
Sophia sangki
08/26/2020 at 11:28 pmCan i use shortening instead of butter?
Mireille
08/27/2020 at 9:13 pmYou can but it can have an effect on the texture of the dough. It might not be as flacky as when you use butter, something to be aware of.
Carla
01/27/2020 at 8:28 pmDo you beat the egg before adding to the mixture?
Mireille
01/27/2020 at 9:18 pmHi Carla,
Correct, I beat the egg and add it to the dough. You can also see it in the video when I add the beaten egg.
Alex
02/01/2020 at 3:44 amHow long should you fry them for?
Mireille
02/01/2020 at 9:37 amAlex,
This empanada dough is best for baking. You can bake the empanada golden brown in 25 minutes. Take a look at the empanada dough for frying if you want to fry. E.g. these fried cheese empanadas take about 5 minutes to fry.
Jonie
02/25/2020 at 11:30 pmThe next day after I make a desert type empanada (with pineapple or apple filing), the empanadas are “soggy” and soft, not firm like the previous day. Does my filing have too much moisture, or is there something that I can add to the dough to keep it firm longer after baking?
Mireille
02/26/2020 at 9:01 amHi Jonie,
Sorry to hear your empanadas were “soggy” the next day. It can indeed be that your filling holds a lot of moisture. My apple filling has the consistency of a thick puree and is not runny. I do not know what type of consistency your filling had.
What you can do is put the filling in a sieve first before using it, that way any excess moisture can drain from your filling and will not end up in your empanadas.
After baking I let leftover empanadas cool and either store them in the fridge if I want to eat them the next day or store them in the freezer. In all cases, I warm the empanadas again in the oven before serving this will revive the empanadas and firm them up. Hope this helps.
Nancy
03/01/2020 at 3:24 pmWhat if you dont have a “kitchen machine” to make the dough??
Mireille
03/01/2020 at 3:44 pmNancy,
You can make them by hand and use a wooden spoon en your hands to make the dough. Add the butter to the flour and first stir with a wooden spoon and try to break up the dough and combine it into a dough. When you have a crumbly texture and then add as described in the recipe using your hands to knead it into a dough.
It will take a bit more effort to do it by hand but you can make it without a kitchen machine. Hope this helps.
Maria T
04/01/2020 at 9:35 pmDo you brush melted butter or something else on the empanadas before you bake them they look so shiny
Or is that just the butter
Mireille
04/01/2020 at 9:51 pmMaria,
When I bake my empanadas in the oven I brush them with egg wash.
Carolina
04/20/2020 at 4:20 amI’m sorry but I don’t know what a kitchen machine is, is it a food processor, mixer or blender?
Thank you
Mireille
04/20/2020 at 8:27 amCaroline,
No problem it is a food processor. You can also see it in the recipe video.
Kerry
04/21/2020 at 12:18 amI don’t have any all purpose flour, do you think bread flour work?
Mireille
04/21/2020 at 10:46 amKerry,
I never made empanada dough with bread flour. It contains more gluten than all-purpose flour but if that is what you got I would try it.
Let us know how it turned out.
Marina
05/09/2020 at 6:22 pmCan you sub gluten free all purpose flour for regular?
Mireille
05/10/2020 at 10:32 amMarina,
I’m sorry but I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free all-purpose flour so I can’t say if it would work. But I can imagine it to work so why not give it a try. Would love to know how it turns out.
sherry
05/30/2020 at 7:04 pmCan I use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this?
Mireille
05/30/2020 at 8:01 pmSherry,
I never make empanada dough with a stand mixer but I do not see any reason why it wouldn’t work with a stand mixer.
Rose
07/19/2020 at 7:39 pmBefore I try your recipe what size disc should they be?
3,4,5,6 inches?
Thank you
Mireille
07/20/2020 at 10:10 amRose,
Traditionally the size of an empanada is 6 inch but you can make them any size you want.
Kim
07/28/2020 at 7:12 amWould this recipe work with a Nutri Ninja blender?
Mireille
07/28/2020 at 11:26 amKim,
I do not have a Nutri Ninja blender so I can’t say if it will work. If you can make bread dough in this blender it should not be a problem to make empanada dough. If it is a blender to make smoothies with, I do not think it will work.
patricia
08/17/2020 at 11:34 pmBuen día las cantidades del huevo harina y mantequilla cuales son??? Gracias
Mireille
08/18/2020 at 11:37 amPatricia,
You can find the amounts per ingredient in the recipe.
Hannah
08/19/2020 at 3:55 pmI find the fastest way to make empanada is by using a small tortilla presser. It’s sooo fast and easy. I would weigh my dough and make a tiny ball and flatten it in the presser
Mireille
08/20/2020 at 8:56 amThanks Hannah,
Using a tortilla press is a great way to make empanada shells.
Shannon Daniels
08/21/2020 at 10:26 pmCould you possibly include a picture of your kitchen machine? I wonder if any of us have anything similar to whatever it is you’re referencing. Thank you.
Mireille
08/22/2020 at 8:46 amShannon you can see my food processor in the recipe video. I use a Philips food processor similar to a Kenwood or Magimix food proceesor
Alyssa
09/02/2020 at 10:14 pmWould you knead the dough after in a kitchenaid mixer if you have one , it so for how long ?
Mireille
09/03/2020 at 9:07 amHi Alyssa,
If you make the dough in a food processor I would not knead the dough after in a Kitchenaid mixer.
You can make the empanada dough in a Kitchenaid mixer. It works the same as a food processor so as soon as the dough comes together and forms into a ball and comes away from the side of the bowl your dough is done. You can take it out of the bowl and wrap in cling film to rest in the fridge.
Does this answer your question?
Leah
11/09/2020 at 11:28 pmHi! Thanks for the great recipe. If i leave the dough in the fridge overnight should I let it warm up for and certain amount of time before rolling it out?
Mireille
11/10/2020 at 8:25 amHi Leah,
Thank you for your comment. I do not let the dough warm-up when I take it out of the fridge. If your fridge is really cold and it is not possible to roll out the dough leave it on the kitchen counter for 5 minutes and try to roll it out. Hope this helps.
Pat
12/21/2020 at 10:55 pmIf I have a tortilla press, can I just make little balls out of the dough?
Mireille
12/22/2020 at 3:54 pmPat,
You can indeed use a tortilla press to make empanada rounds. Just put the empanada balls in between parchment paper so it won’t stick to the press.
Cathy
12/30/2020 at 7:51 pmAbout how many 4″ empanadas will one dough recipe make?
Mireille
12/31/2020 at 5:44 pmHi Cathy,
Depending on how thick you roll the dough you should be able to make between 10 and 13
Karen
09/19/2021 at 3:11 amI made this exactly the way the video showed. I thought it was never going be puffy the way it felt & handled. But it puffed up beautifully! Only problem I had was my own fault….I filled them too full….more is not better!
Thanks! Is there other things this dough could be used for?
Mireille
09/19/2021 at 9:12 amKaren,
Glad to hear the empanadas puffed up. Indeed adding too much filling can cause issues. If you search empanadas here, you can find a lot different fillings you can make and turn them in breakfast empanadas, sweet empanadas, etc.
Sylvia
01/22/2023 at 10:23 pmInstead of rolling out can I divide the dough into balls and use a tortilla press?
Mireille
01/23/2023 at 9:01 amSylvia,
Absolutely. The tortilla press works great with empanada dough. It is recommended to use parchment paper to keep the dough from sticking to the tortilla press.
YesNoSpin
08/20/2023 at 2:48 amThis is a great way to make empanadas dough! I love the video too!
puzzle ans
09/17/2023 at 12:42 pmThis is a great way to make empanadas dough! I love the video too!