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Traditional Vegetable Empanadas

2022-10-15

By Jane Smith

Spanish Cuisine

Entree

How to Make Perfect Veggie Empanadas: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer Methods for a Crispy, Flavorful Snack

Slow Cooker Veggie Empanada Filling: Enhance Flavors of Spinach, Mushrooms, and Peppers for a Deliciously Savory Snack

Use the slow cooker to slowly cook your vegetable filling, such as spinach, mushrooms, or roasted peppers, with seasonings and a little vegetable broth. The slow cooker’s low heat helps bring out the natural sweetness and depth of flavor in the veggies. Once cooked, let the filling cool before using it to stuff your empanada dough.

Instant Pot Veggie Empanadas: Fast and Flavorful Filling with Tender Vegetables in Minutes

Use the Instant Pot’s "saute" function to quickly cook onions, garlic, and vegetables until tender. You can also pressure cook tougher veggies like squash or potatoes in minutes. Once the filling is ready, assemble your empanadas and either bake or air fry for a crispy finish.

Air Fryer Empanadas: Crispy, Golden Perfection with Less Oil for Healthier, Flavorful Bites

After filling and folding your empanadas, use the air fryer’s "air crisp" function to cook them. The air fryer ensures a golden, crispy crust with minimal oil, creating healthier empanadas without compromising on texture or flavor.

Tips and Suggestions on Vegetable Empanadas

Making the dough

Empanada dough can be tricky to make as it requires the perfect balance of flour, fat, and liquid. The dough needs to be firm enough to hold its shape, but not too dry or crumbly.

Filling the empanadas

The filling should be made in advance and cooled completely before filling the empanadas. Overfilling can cause the empanada to burst in the oven, and under-filling can result in a bland and dry filling.

Sealing the empanadas

Sealing the empanadas can also be challenging, as the dough needs to be folded and crimped together without splitting or leaking the filling.

Baking the empanadas

Baking the empanadas requires a hot oven, but not too hot that it burns or dries out the dough. It's important to keep an eye on the empanadas and rotate the baking sheets if necessary to ensure even cooking.

Adding flavor and texture

Vegetables Empanadas can be bland without proper seasoning and flavor additions. It's important to add spices, herbs, or cheese to enhance the flavor and texture of the filling. A sprinkle of salt and a brushing of egg wash on the empanadas helps to give them a golden and crispy exterior. See what our article has to offer, Enhance the Flavor.

Classic Vegetable Empanadas Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup cold vegan butter
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together flour and salt. Cut in cold vegan butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Gradually add cold water and knead until a smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add corn kernels, salt, pepper, paprika, and ground cumin to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into circles. Spoon the vegetable filling onto one half of each circle and fold the other half over, sealing the edges with your fingers.
  7. Bake on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 30 min

Cook Time 45 min

Total time 75 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 260
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g

Variations for Vegetable Empanadas

Brocoli Empanadas

This version is made with tender broccoli, savory cheese, and fragrant spices, wrapped in flaky pastry for delightful, handheld savory bites.

Broccoli Empanadas

Spicy Vegetables Empanadas

This version is made with a medley of spicy vegetables, seasoned to perfection, and enveloped in a golden, flaky pastry crust.

Savory Hand Pies, Vegetable Empanadas with Spicy Sauce

Red Cabbage Empanadas

This version is made with vibrant red cabbage, sautéed with onions and spices, all encased in a crisp, delicious pastry shell.

Veggie empanadas with red cabbage and raisins

Vegetarian Empanadas

This version is made with a flavorful filling of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and spices, wrapped in a tender, golden-brown pastry.

Vegetarian Empanadas

Carrot Empanadas

This version is made with sweet, grated carrots mixed with aromatic spices and herbs, all enveloped in a flaky pastry crust.

Argentinian Carrot Empanadas

Vegetable Empanadas Recipe Review

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