Oh my goodness, do I have a treat for you! Picture this: It’s Sunday morning, and the smell of warm jam and buttery pastry fills my tiny kitchen. My abuela used to make the most incredible sweet empanadas, but let’s be real – who has time to deep fry these days? That’s when I discovered my air fryer could work magic on these little pockets of joy. Crispy on the outside, gooey-sweet inside, and ready in minutes – these air fryer sweet empanadas became my new obsession. The best part? No messy oil splatters, just golden perfection every time. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
Okay, let me count the ways these little beauties will steal your heart (and probably your waistline):
- Speed demon: From dough to done in under 30 minutes – faster than ordering delivery!
- Crispy magic: That air fryer gives you that perfect golden crunch without deep frying.
- Endless possibilities: Swap fillings based on your mood – strawberry jam today, Nutella tomorrow!
- No mess: Forget oil splatters – just pop them in and walk away.
- Kid-approved: My picky nephew calls them “hand pies” and devours three at a time.
Seriously, these are the ultimate lazy baker’s dream dessert – impressive results with minimal effort. You’re welcome!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible sweet empanadas – trust me, you probably have most of this in your kitchen already:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, please – we’re not savages!)
- 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed (I pop mine in the freezer for 10 minutes first)
- 1/4 cup sugar (white, brown, whatever makes you happy – I sometimes do half and half)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
- 1/4 cup ice-cold water (seriously, toss an ice cube in there)
- 1 cup fruit jam (your choice! I’m partial to strawberry or guava, but go wild)
- 1 egg, beaten (for that gorgeous golden shine – don’t skip this!)
See? Simple stuff! Now let’s make some magic happen.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
Alright, let’s get our hands dirty! Making these sweet empanadas is easier than you think – I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there in your kitchen with you.
Preparing the Dough
First things first – that flaky, buttery dough! In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, and that pinch of salt. Now here’s my secret: toss in those ice-cold butter cubes and start working them in with your fingers. You want it to look like coarse crumbs – some pea-sized butter bits are perfect! Slowly drizzle in your ice water while mixing until the dough just comes together. Don’t overwork it – we want tender layers, not tough pastry. Wrap it up and let it chill for 15 minutes while you prep the rest.
Filling and Shaping
Roll out your dough to about 1/8-inch thickness – I use a wine bottle if I can’t find my rolling pin! Cut circles (about 4 inches across) using a bowl or cutter. Now the fun part: spoon about a tablespoon of jam in the center, but leave a good border. Dip your finger in water and run it around the edge – this helps seal them tight. Fold over and press the edges together, then crimp with a fork. Pro tip: don’t overfill or you’ll have jam explosions in your air fryer!
Air Frying to Perfection
Preheat that air fryer to 375°F – trust me, it makes a difference! Brush each empanada with that beaten egg (this gives them that gorgeous golden shine). Arrange them in a single layer with some breathing room – I do batches of 4-5 in my fryer. Cook for 10-12 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown. Peek at 8 minutes – some air fryers run hotter than others. Let them cool just enough so you don’t burn your tongue on that molten jam!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
After making dozens (okay, maybe hundreds) of these sweet empanadas, I’ve picked up some tricks that’ll take yours from good to “oh my god, give me the recipe!” status:
- Keep it cool: That dough needs to stay cold – if it gets too warm, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes. Warm dough = sad, flat empanadas.
- Less is more: That jam is tempting, but stick to a tablespoon max per empanada unless you want a sticky air fryer disaster!
- Seal tight: Really press those edges together – I sometimes do a double crimp with the fork for extra security.
- Know your machine: Air fryers vary wildly – start checking at 8 minutes and adjust from there. My sister’s burns them in 9 minutes, while mine takes the full 12.
- Rest time: Let them sit for 5 minutes after cooking – that jam filling is basically lava when first out!
Follow these, and you’ll be the empanada queen (or king) in no time!
Variations for Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
Oh, the possibilities! Once you master the basic recipe, the fun really begins. My favorite lazy Sunday activity? Raiding my pantry for creative fillings! Try swapping the jam for Nutella (add a banana slice if you’re feeling fancy) or smooth dulce de leche – just reduce cook time by a minute since these burn easier. For the dough, I sometimes mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or orange zest for extra flavor. Last week I used leftover pumpkin pie filling – absolute magic! The beauty is, these sweet empanadas become whatever delicious experiment you dream up.
Serving and Storing Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
Oh, the joy of biting into a warm empanada right out of the air fryer! I always dust mine with powdered sugar while they’re still warm – it melts into the most delicious glaze. If you’re feeling extra, a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns these into instant gourmet desserts. Leftovers? (As if!) They keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 days – just pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes to revive that crispness. For longer storage, freeze them unbaked between parchment paper – they’ll be ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating empanadas for their health benefits! But for those curious, each sweet empanada comes in around 180 calories (give or take, depending on your jam choice). These numbers are just estimates – your results might vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes. My philosophy? Enjoy every delicious bite and maybe take an extra walk tomorrow! For more general information on portion control, check out resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use puff pastry instead of making dough from scratch?
Absolutely! Puff pastry makes these even easier – just thaw, cut, fill, and air fry! They’ll be flakier than my homemade dough version. Reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes since puff pastry browns faster.
Q2. How do I prevent soggy bottoms on my air fryer sweet empanadas?
Two tricks: First, make sure your air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded – they need airflow! Second, place a small piece of parchment under each empanada if your fryer tends to collect moisture. Works like a charm!
Q3. Can I make these gluten-free?
You bet! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend (I like the 1:1 baking mixes). The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious. Just watch the cooking time – GF doughs often brown quicker.
Q4. What’s the best way to reheat leftover empanadas?
The air fryer is your friend here! Just 2-3 minutes at 350°F brings back that perfect crispness. Microwave? Don’t even think about it – you’ll end up with sad, soggy pastry.
Share Your Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas
I’d love to see your creations! Snap a photo of your golden beauties and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen successes. Did you try a wild filling combination? Spill the details in the comments below! If you’re looking for more inspiration on using your appliance, check out this guide on air fryer roast chicken techniques.
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Sweet Empanadas in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 12 empanadas 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and sweet empanadas made easily in your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 cup fruit jam (your choice)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Add cold water and knead into a dough.
- Roll dough and cut into circles.
- Place jam in the center of each circle.
- Fold dough over and seal edges.
- Brush with egg wash.
- Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until golden.
Notes
- Use any jam flavor you prefer.
- Ensure edges are sealed well to prevent leaks.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: air fryer, sweet empanadas, dessert, easy recipe