This empanada dough for frying recipe is a quick and easy recipe that takes just 15 minutes to prepare using few ingredients. This easy empanada dough recipe is perfect for making traditional Mexican fried empanadas for parties, snacks, or as a tasty appetizer.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
This recipe for fried empanada dough is super easy to make and delicious, just like our empanada dough for baking and sweet empanada dough. The difference between frying and baking empanada dough lies in the liquid and flour mixture.
Homemade empanada dough for frying uses sparkling water and baking powder, which, when fried, results in a super crispy texture and a delicious chewy dough. This recipe also adds a bit of orange juice for extra flavor and sweetness, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.
You can fill this dough with sweet or savory fillings, like chicken, beef (check out our baked beef empanadas for the filling mixture), pizza (try our pizza pockets), vegetables, cheese, fruit-flavored jams, condensed milk, or Nutella - the possibilities are endless!
Empanadas are great for sharing with friends and family for a tasty snack or taking to picnics or potlucks.
With only a few ingredients required to make the empanada discs and no fancy kitchen equipment, they're perfect for home cooks to whip up. Plus, you can fill and store a big batch of these empanadas for frying whenever you want, making them a great midweek dinner option when you're short on time.
🍽 Key Ingredients
With a few simple pantry staples, you can make this delicious empanada dough for frying:
Flour mixture - All-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder are used to create the empanada dough. You can also add a tablespoon of sugar for a hint of sweetness to the dough.
Butter - One stick of butter gives the dough its rich flavor and helps to bind everything together.
Liquid - Orange juice is added for extra flavor, while sparkling water is used to give the dough its light and airy texture. You may need to add a bit more water if needed.
Oil for Frying - Canola oil or vegetable oil are good for frying.
Substitutions
If you don't have all the ingredients listed, here are some substitutions you can make:
Flour
All-purpose flour is the best for this recipe, but in case you don't have it, you can use whole wheat flour or spelt flour.
Butter
You can substitute the butter with other fats like lard or vegetable shortening.
Orange Juice
If you don't have orange juice, use apple juice or any other type of citrus juice instead.
🔪 How to make
Making homemade empanada dough for frying is quick and easy. With this recipe, you'll be able to make delicious homemade fried empanadas in just 15 minutes.
Preparations
Step 1
Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using) to the bowl of a food processor.
Step 2
Drop in the butter cubes and pulse a few times until the butter thoroughly coats the flour.
Step 3
Pour in the orange juice and sparkling water and pulse until a dough ball starts to form.
Step 4
Transfer the empanada dough to a lightly floured surface and knead lightly for a minute or two.
Step 5
Pour a tablespoon of oil into a bowl, covering the bottom and sides, then lay the dough ball inside and cover it with a towel. Leave to rest at room temperature for around an hour.
Step 6
Cut the homemade empanada dough in half and start rolling it out on a clean work surface using a rolling pin until it is very thin (as thin as a coin).
Step 7
Cut out small/medium round shapes using a pastry cutter or plate.
Step 8
Cover the empanada discs in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge or freezer.
Step 9
If you are planning on making empanadas immediately, fill each one with the filling and seal them shut by brushing water or egg wash around the edges of the empanada disc, then press the edges with a fork. Bake them in hot oil until golden brown.
💭 Cooking tips
Making dough by hand
If you don't have a food processor, you can prepare the ingredients in a large bowl and mix them with your hands until a dough ball forms.
The filling
Because this empanada dough is perfect for frying, they make amazingly tasty sweet empanadas with jam or chocolate and also savory ones like beef empanadas or cheese.
Easy empanada discs
If you don't have a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it is thin, you can use a tortilla press instead. Tear the dough into several small balls and place and press them in the press - for perfectly thin round empanada molds.
🥗 What to serve with
Empanada dough for frying is perfect for filling and frying empanada recipes, whether savory or sweet, they are great for sharing at house parties or family gatherings. They pair perfectly with a wide variety of fried or baked foods and dips, like some of these tasty creations:
Fried food
Fried dough recipe - if you like donuts, you'll no doubt enjoy fried dough. They're chewy with a crispy texture and can be made savory or sweet.
Corn nuggets - these corn nuggets are an easy and delicious way to enjoy the flavor of fresh corn with herbs and spices.
Baked snacks
Avocado fries - an easy and delicious way to enjoy the flavor of avocado with a crispy coating.
Sausage and cheddar pretzel balls - a great way to enjoy the flavor of sausage and cheddar cheese with a crunchy, soft pretzel.
Pizza monkey bread - if you're a fan of pizza and monkey bread, then you'll no doubt love this recipe with pepperoni, cheese, and pizza sauce.
Jalapeno pinwheels - jalapenos, cheese, and puff pastry make a delicious snack when served with empanadas.
Dips
Asiago spinach artichoke dip - a creamy and flavorful dip that's perfect for dunking empanadas or fried food.
Baked crab dip - a cheesy creamy and delicious dip with a hint of sweetness from the crab and a nice kick from the mustard and tabasco.
Chili queso dip - a flavorful dip with a blend of spices, cheese, and ground beef to go along with your empanadas.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
Do you have to use sparkling water for the empanada dough?
No, you don't have to use sparkling water for the empanada dough. You can also use still water, but using sparkling water will result in a fluffier and lighter dough with a super crispy exterior.
Can I use empanada dough for other dough recipes?
Yes, this empanada dough recipe can be used for other recipes like pizza crusts or as a substitute for puff pastry in desserts. It can also be used for pie dough for savory pies.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
I love how easy it is to make and store good empanada dough.
Fridge - Once you have the empanada discs, cut out, cover them individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer - Store them in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Note, Allow the dough to come to room temperature before filling and sealing the empanadas.
Heating - Once you have filled and sealed the empanadas, heat a pan half full of oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the empanadas in batches until golden and crispy.
🍳 Related recipes
If you're looking for more recipes to pair with your empanadas, check out these 37 fun things to bake and these 45 best Southern comfort food recipes. From cakes and cookies to macaroni and cheese, there's something for everyone!
👪 Serving size
This empanada dough for frying recipe yields around 15 empanada discs, depending on the size of your empanada discs. For larger gatherings, prepare more empanadas so that everyone gets their fair share!
Empanadas are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that pairs well with many different types of fried or baked food. Whether you're looking for something savory or sweet, there is sure to be an empanada recipe for everyone.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Empanada Dough for Frying
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 tablespoon Sugar - optional
- 1 stick Butter - 1 stick = 4 oz
- ¼ cup Orange juice
- ⅔ cup Water
- Oil - for frying
- Your choice of fillings
Instructions
- Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using) to the bowl of a food processor.
- Drop in the butter cubes and pulse a few times until the butter thoroughly coats the flour.
- Pour in the orange juice and sparkling water and pulse until a dough ball starts to form.
- Transfer the empanada dough to a lightly floured surface and knead lightly for a minute or two.
- Pour a tablespoon of oil into a bowl, covering the bottom and sides, then lay the dough ball inside and cover it with a towel. Leave to rest at room temperature for around an hour.
- Cut the homemade empanada dough in half and start rolling it out on a clean work surface using a rolling pin until it is very thin (as thin as a coin).
- Cut out small/medium round shapes using a pastry cutter or plate.
- Cover the empanada discs in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge or freezer.
- If you are planning on making empanadas immediately, fill each one with the filling and seal them shut by brushing water or egg wash around the edges of the empanada disc, then press the edges with a fork. Bake them in hot oil until golden brown.
Leave a Reply