Air Fryer Empanadas

Air Fryer Empanadas

Need dinner on the table quick? Then you need to try these delicious, flavorful, and easy air fryer empanadas. You only really need 5 ingredients with a handful of seasonings. Most of which you probably already have on hand. This air fryer dinner will be a hit in your home!

How to Make Homemade Empanadas

This recipe is relatively simple. I love it because it is packed with great spices that really add to the overall flavor. For this recipe, you will need:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ bell pepper, diced
• ¼-½ onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup (4 ounces) tomato sauce 
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1-2 eggs
• Discos, pie crust, or Pillsbury biscuit/crescent dough

How to Cook Ground Beef in the Air Fryer

Did you know you can cook ground beef in the air fryer? I love to cook ground beef in the air fryer because cleanup is a breeze. It is also so simple and practically hands-free.

To cook ground beef in the air fryer, place the ground beef in the air fryer basket and with a silicone spatula, break it up into chunks. I also love to use this meat chopper to break up the meat.

For this recipe, you will also want to add the bell pepper and onion. Then, cook everything for 7 minutes at 380°F/190°C, stirring at the halfway point.

Empanada Filling Tips

After the beef finishes cooking for the first 7 minutes, add and mix in the spices and cook for an additional 2 minutes. This will give you fresh and tasty flavors for your meat.

The meat will be fully cooked once there are no remaining pink spots. Once this is achieved, place the meat mixture in a bowl and combine it with the tomato sauce and water.

How to Make Empanadas in the Air Fryer

Get your dough ready and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture on the dough. Fold it over to form a crescent. Seal it shut by pinching everything together with a fork.

Place the empanadas in a lightly sprayed air fryer basket. Top with an egg wash to get a nice a toasty look to your empanadas. Cook in the air fryer at 350°F/175°C for 6-8 minutes.

Final Thoughts

These are not authentic empanadas of course, but they sure are tasty. I love how quick and easy this recipe is. This is a great recipe to prepare ahead of time and then to whip together anytime you want throughout the week. Share with us in the comments below what you love about this recipe!

More quick and easy air fryer dinner ideas

• Chicken BLT Burrito in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Roasted Chicken Sausage and Veggies
• Air Fryer Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe

Check out these air fryer pro tips

• The Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Empanadas

A quick and simple air fryer dinner that is so delicious and packed with fresh flavors!

4.67 / 5 ( 3 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ bell pepper sliced
• 1/4-1/2 onion diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1.2 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup tomato sauce 4 ounces
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1-2 eggs
• 1 package discos or pie crust or Pillsbury biscuit/crescent dough

Instructions

• Place the ground beef in the air fryer and break it up into chunks. Add the bell pepper and onion on top and cook for 7 minutes at 380F/190C, stirring at the halfway point.
• Add and mix in the spices and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Remove the meat from the air fryer basket and into a bowl. Add the tomato sauce and water.
• Place the meat on the discos. I used a roll of Pillsbury French bread dough and cut it into squares about the size of my hand. Place about 2 tablespoons of meat mixture on one side of each square. Fold over the dough and use a fork to seal the dough.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket and place the empanadas inside.
• Cover with an egg wash and cook at 350 F/175 C for 6-8 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 701mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g