Cuban Style Empanadas

Little pockets of stuffed dough have always been a favorite in our family and we love trying new fillings like these Cuban-style empanadas.

These delicious little dough-filled bundles are made with a leftover seasoned pork tenderloin filling then fried, baked or air fried into little hot pockets.

Maybe you remember our popular Cubano Pork Panini Sandwich which these empanadas are similar in flavor.

We make our empanada dough from scratch, however, in a pinch, you can use premade refrigerated empanada store-bought wrappers or even pizza dough works but a different style more like a panzerotti.

Whatever you choose to use they will taste great.

Leftover pork shredded is perfect for this recipe plus we have many substitute suggestions below if this one isn't your favorite style.

Creative fillings can be endless and this recipe can be easily adapted to whatever your family likes inside them.

Another bonus of making our version of empanadas is we have several cooking methods below for baked, air fried, or pan-fried so again, a win-win versatile recipe.

Scroll down to our printable recipe card for our Cuban Style Empanadas or the original filling is also included below.

A Twist on the Favorite Classic Empanadas

Empanadas are little hand-held pies and have been very popular in Latin America for centuries.

There are so many versions and fillings that have evolved over many years.

Ours is a delicious blended filling with a Cuban flair, and we love this twist on the favorite classic.

These are a simple stuffed hot pocket you can fry, baked, or air fry, we got you covered

Whether you choose homemade dough or store-bought ingredients the whole experience will result in a great little empanadas pie!

Step-by-Step

1. cook the pork tenderloin first then slice it into small pieces
2. make the dough of choice or use store-bought
3. fill the dough with pork, ham, cheese, and condiments
4. fry, bake, or air fry

Other Empanada Filling Suggestions and Mix-Ins

1. chopped jalapeno peppers
2. black sliced olives
3. diced onions
4. all boneless: cooked sliced chicken, sliced cooked  pork chops, sauteed ground beef drained, cooked ribeye, cooked sliced deli meats, any cooked leftover meats
5. provolone or another cheese you prefer
6.  store-bought another flavored marinated  cooked pork tenderloin (there are several flavors)
7. for an Italian version use mozzarella and pepperoni
8. for the original filling for empanadas see below in the recipe card
9. shrimp, chopped garlic, shredded cheese of choice (or use another seafood chopped you prefer)
10. try buffalo chicken hot sauce and cheddar for hot wing lovers
11. chicken, ham, and swiss for a mock cordon bleu
12. deli roast beef, cheese, onions for a cheesesteak
13. cooked crumbled sausage, chopped peppers and onion, grated provolone, and scrambled eggs for breakfast
14. Asian mixed vegetables and cooked soba noodles
15. Reubens: shredded corned beef deli or fresh meat, swiss cheese, drained sauerkraut chopped thousand island dressing
16. Italiano: chopped pepperoni, salami, and  shredded provolone or mozzarella

Cooking Methods

1. Air Fried Empanadas: Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Add as many empanadas as will fit in a single layer. Brush with egg wash then spray the top of the dough with cooking oil. Poke two holes on top. Air fry at 325 degrees for 8 minutes.
2. Baked Empanadas: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the empanadas on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Brush the top with egg wash then poke holes on top. Bake until golden brown around 25 minutes

More Recipes We Love

Cuban Sandwiches

Panzerotti

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A Few Tips To Remember

1. if air frying preheat the air fryer first
2. always preheat the oven if baking
3. always heat the oil first before adding the empanadas
4. spray the tops with cooking oil for a flakier pastry
5. brush with eggwash for a glossy sheen
6. make sure you crimp the edges with a fork
7. always use cold butter when making homemade dough
8. don't overwork dough or overuse the flour when rolling
9. either crimp the edges with a fork or for the braid, effect fold the edges up pinch and fold the triangles between the thumb and first finger of one hand while cradling the empanada in their other hand.

Flavorful Stuffed Dough

The best part about making any kind of stuff dough or empanadas like these is it's a whole meal in itself,  can be just an appetizer for hosting a party or even a great snack plus you can even use a favorite dipping sauce for them.

The variations and styles on fillings can just be your own creations.

These are so easy to make and even freeze well, so don't worry if you made too many, freeze them on a cookie sheet and then toss them in freezer bags, reheat them in the oven for around 15 minutes!

Cuban Style Empanadas

Yield: 25

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min

These are pork, cheese-filled empanadas fried, baked or air fried. Delicious hot pockets made easy!

Ingredients

• 1 - cooked 2 to 3-pound Boneless Lemon Garlic Pork Tenderloin sliced and chopped (see notes for other options)
• slices of swiss cheese for each empanada around 12 slices
• 3 to 4 tablespoons of yellow mustard
• 4 tablespoons of chopped dill pickles
• 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• 12 thin slices of black forest deli ham (or whatever ham you prefer)
• Egg Wash: 1 beaten egg with 1 tablespoon of water
• Cooking spray
• oil for frying
• see notes for air fried and baked cooking methods
• Dough to use:
• Empanadas Store-Bought Dough, Store-bought or Homemade Pizza Dough, or for Homemade Empanada Dough see below

Instructions

1. Cook the pork tenderloin to package instructions, cool, and slice it into small pieces.
2. Make the dough or use store-bought.
3. Roll the dough out on a floured board and cut it into 5 to 6-inch small rounds or use an empanadas tool.
4. First, add a tiny bit of mustard, then mayonnaise, cheese, meat, and ham. ( no more than 2 tablespoons in the center)
5. Fold over like a half-moon shape, crimp the edges with a fork.
6. Heat the oil around 2 inches deep, fry, drain on paper towels.
7. See Notes for other cooking methods.
8. You can choose whatever dough you prefer, store-bought or our homemade:
9. For Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe Click Here
10. For Homemade Empanadas Dough Recipe see below:
11. 2 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling the dough or use a gluten-free flour alternative
12. 1 stick of cold butter cut into small pieces
13. 1 beaten egg
14. 1/4 cup of water
15. Place the above ingredients in a food processor or heavy-duty mixer and make the dough. (If making by hand use a pastry cutter to blend the flour and butter then add water to form the dough.)
16. Proceed with the same instructions for cutting and filling.
17. Brush the top with eggwash, choose your cooking method preferred.
18. Original Empanada Filling Ingredients:
19. 1 pound ground beef
20. 4 tablespoons chopped bell pepper
21. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
22. 1 small onion chopped fine
23. 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
24. 1 teaspoon oregano dried
25. salt, pepper to taste (also cayenne pepper if you like a little heat)
26. 1/4 cup golden raisins
27. 4 hard-boiled eggs chopped
28. 12 green olives chopped fine
29. Directions:
30. Over medium heat. saute the onion and red pepper for around 4 minutes.
31. Saute the garlic next in the same pan for 2 minutes.
32. Add and brown the ground beef, tomato paste, and oregano season to taste.
33. Stir in the raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and olives and cool.
34. Fill as directed above and choose a cooking method.

Notes

Other Filling Suggestions and Mix-Ins

1. chopped jalapeno peppers
2. black sliced olives
3. diced onions
4. all boneless: cooked sliced chicken, sliced cooked pork chops, sauteed ground beef drained, cooked ribeye, cooked sliced deli meats, any cooked leftover meats
5. provolone or another cheese you prefer
6.  store-bought another flavored marinated cooked pork tenderloin (there are several flavors)
7. for an Italian version use mozzarella and pepperoni
8. for the original filling for empanadas see below in the recipe card
9. shrimp, chopped garlic, shredded cheese of choice (or use another seafood chopped you prefer)
10. try buffalo chicken hot sauce and cheddar for hot wing lovers
11. chicken, ham, and swiss for a mock cordon bleu
12. deli roast beef, cheese, onions for a cheesesteak
13. cooked crumbled sausage, chopped peppers and onion, grated provolone, and scrambled eggs for breakfast
14. Asian mixed vegetables and cooked soba noodles
15. Reubens: shredded corned beef deli or fresh meat, swiss cheese, drained sauerkraut chopped thousand island dressing
16. Italiano:chopped pepperoni, salami and provolone

Cooking Methods

1. Air Fried Empanadas: Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Add as many empanadas as will fit in a single layer. Brush with egg wash then sprays the dough with cooking oil. Poke two holes on top. Air fry at 325 degrees for 8 minutes.
2. Baked Empanadas: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the empanadas on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Brush the top with egg wash then poke holes on top. Bake until golden brown around 25 minutes

A Few Tips To Remember

1. if air frying preheat the air fryer first
2. always preheat the oven if baking
3. always heat the oil first before adding the empanadas
4. spray the tops with cooking oil for a flakier pastry
5. brush with eggwash for a glossy sheen
6. make sure you crimp the edges with a fork
7. always use cold butter when making homemade dough
8. don't overwork dough or overuse the flour when rolling

Nutrition Facts

Calories

202.07

Fat (grams)

11.62

Sat. Fat (grams)

3.49

Carbs (grams)

21.29

Fiber (grams)

2.35

Net carbs

18.94

Sugar (grams)

1.77

Protein (grams)

5.18

Sodium (milligrams)

231.74

Cholesterol (grams)

24.25

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Cuban, Mexican, Argentina, Latin

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