Air Fryer Empanadas are made with flaky pie crust, savory beef filling, and cheese. Make them right in the air fryer for snack time or anytime

Duration

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 24 Minutes
Total Time: 39 Minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pounds ground beef I used 80/20
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powders
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 2 9-inch pie crusts
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
• olive oil spray
• chunky salsa for serving
• sour cream for serving

Instructions

• Start by browning the ground beef. Cook over medium/high heat on top of the stove. When the beef is halfway cooked, add the garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
• Once the ground beef is cooked all the way through and no longer pink, drain the grease from it and add to a bowl.
• When the beef has cooled, remove one of the pie crusts from the refrigerator and start cutting out the circles.
• On a piece of wax or parchment paper, roll the pie crust out onto it.
• Using a glass or biscuit cutter cut out 7-8 circles. There will be remaining dough. Pick it up and roll it together into a ball.
• Using the same glass, roll the dough out into a circle again and cut additional circles. I can usually get 11-12 circles of dough out of each crust.
• Add the cooled ground beef and shredded cheese onto one half of the pie crust circle.
• Pinch the edges then fold the edges over. Crimp the folded edges with a fork.
• Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with spray olive oil. Add the prepared empanadas to the basket. Spray the tops with additional oil or brush with melted butter.
• Set the air fryer to 350 degrees and fry for 8 minutes. With a fork, gently flip each one. Spray again with oil or brush with butter and fry for 2 more minutes
• Remove the empanadas from the basket and continue the process until they are all made, should take about 3-4 times. Keep the already made ones warm in the oven or eat as you make them!
• Serve these with sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips for making this recipe:

Make sure to cool the ground beef completely before using it in this recipe. If you don’t the dough will stretch and cause holes.

Keep one roll of dough in the refrigerator while you make the first batch. It’s important to keep the dough cold so it is easier to work with.

If there is leftover ground beef, check notes in the post to see how to freeze for later.

Before using spray olive oil in the air fryer, make sure to check your manufacturer’s directions to see if you can use it. Don’t want to damage your air fryer.