A great empanada is like the little black dress of South American cuisine. It may look plain, but the flavor can be overwhelming when you bite into it.
There are dozens of different types of empanadas to try, each with a unique combination of ingredients and seasonings that make it stand out from the rest.
Whether you’re new to South American food or an old pro at eating traditional dishes, look at this list of twelve empanadas for your next meal or snack.
What Exactly is an Empanada?
An empanada is a type of pastry that is typically filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. The dough is then wrapped around the filling and baked or fried.
Meanwhile, Empanadas originated in Spain and Portugal but are now widespread in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
Different Types of Empanadas
There are many different types of Empanada, each with its unique flavor. Here are different types of empanadas to try.
Chicken Enchilada Empanada
The chicken enchilada empanada is the first on our list of different types of Empanada. Start by cooking chicken breasts in a skillet with olive oil, onions, garlic, and chili powder.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with a fork and set it aside. In a separate skillet, cook the refried beans until warmed.
Spoon some refried beans onto the center of each empanada shell to assemble the empanadas. Top with chicken, shredded cheese, and diced green chilies. Fold up the sides of the surface and press to seal.
Lastly, fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Serve with sour cream on the side for dipping.
Nutella and Banana Empanada
These different empanadas are best served warm so that the Nutella can be melty and gooey. The dough is made with flour, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs.
You’ll need ripe bananas, Nutella, and some chopped hazelnuts for the filling.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl to make the dough. Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the eggs and mix until well combined.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out 12 circles.
Empanada Cordobesa
The empanada cordobesa is a traditional Argentinian dish. It consists of a flour dough shell filled with beef, pork, chicken, ham, and cheese. The dough is fried or baked, and the Empanada is served hot. Many people enjoy this type of Empanada.
Arabian Empanadas
They are different empanadas made with crispy phyllo dough and filled with a spiced lamb mixture. They’re often served as an appetizer or main course and will please any crowd.
Berlin-Style Empanadas
These empanadas are made with a flaky crust and a hearty beef filling. They’re popular in Germany and are often served with mustard or ketchup for dipping.
Spicy Black Bean Empanada
These are amazing! The dough is nice and flaky, and the filling is perfectly spiced. If you’re a fan of black beans or even just good food, you need to try this recipe.
Many love black beans. I mean, so many love black beans. So, when they saw a recipe for spicy black bean empanadas, they knew they had to try it.
Orange-Almond Fig Empanada
If you want a unique empanada flavor, try this orange-almond fig variety. The filling is made with fresh figs, oranges, and almonds and encased in a flaky pastry crust. These different types of empanadas are sure to delight your tastebuds!
Beef and Mushroom Empanada
This Empanada features a hearty beef and mushroom filling, making it a perfect option for meat lovers. Interestingly, the mushrooms add an excellent depth of flavor to the dish, while the beef ensures that it will be satisfying and filling.
Empanada de Cordero
This Empanada features a succulent filling of slow-cooked lamb seasoned with garlic, cumin, and paprika. The filling is then wrapped in flaky dough and baked until golden brown. Serve with a dollop of mint yogurt on the side.
Empanadas de Manzana
These different types of empanadas feature a deliciously sweet, spiced apple filling. The perfect blend of sweet and savory, they will surely please everyone at your next party.
Empanada Gallega
This type of Empanada is from Galicia in northwestern Spain. The dough is made with wheat flour, lard, water, and salt.
Also, it’s rolled out thin and then cut into circles. Typically, the filling is a mix of chopped pork, green peppers, onions, and garlic. The empanadas are then fried in olive oil.
Empanada de Atún
This Empanada is from the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. The dough is made with wheat flour, water, salt, and shortening. It’s rolled out thin and then cut into circles. The filling is typically tuna fish, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and olives.
Salteñas
Salteñas are different types of Empanadas from Bolivia. They are made with fluffy dough and are usually filled with beef, chicken, or cheese.
They are spiced with cumin and chili pepper and sometimes include an egg in the filling. Salteñas are served with a dipping sauce on the side.
Empanadas Tucumanas
There are many different types of empanadas. One type is from Tucuman, Argentina, which is filled with beef, pork, hard-boiled eggs, and olives.
And raisins, all cooked together in a traditional sofrito sauce. The dough is made with wheat flour and baking powder and deep-fried until golden brown.
Empanadas Chilenas
A Chilean empanada is made with flour, lard, water, and salt. The dough is then rolled out and cut into circles. The filling is placed in the center of the dough circle, and the edges are folded up and crimped.
Chilean empanadas are typically fried but can also be baked. Fillings can include ground beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetables.
Panades
Puerto Rican-style empanadas are called panades. Panades are made with fried cornmeal dough. The fillings can vary, but they often include fish, chicken, or beef.
Panades are different empanadas usually served with a dipping sauce on the side.
Empanada Catamarqueña
The Empanada Catamarqueña is a type of turnover pastry from the Argentine province of Catamarca. It is typically filled with meat, cheese, and vegetables and can be baked or fried. This dish is often served as a main course or as a snack.
Corn and Goat Cheese Empanada
These easy, cheesy empanadas are also different, perfect for a party or snack. The corn and goat cheese filling is flavorful and pairs well with the crispy, flaky dough.
Mix the corn, cheese, and spices to make the cookies. Roll out the dough and cut it into circles. Fill each cookie with a heaping spoonful of filling. Then, fold over and crimp the edges. Bake until golden brown, and enjoy!
Pineapple Empanadas
These sweet and savory pineapple empanadas are the perfect treat! The dough is made with all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, butter, and egg. The filling is a mix of pineapple, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to make the empanadas. Then, roll out the dough on a floured surface and use a biscuit cutter or glass to cut out circles.
Next, add a spoonful of filling to each circle and fold it over. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal them shut.
Finally, bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. You will enjoy these different types of Empanadas a lot.
