Description
Enjoy the best baked apple empanadas, a warm and flaky pastry filled with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. Perfect for desserts, cozy snacks, or fall gatherings, these easy-to-make empanadas are baked, not fried, making them a lighter, wholesome treat.
Ingredients
For the dough:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
½ cup cold water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
For the filling:
3 medium apples, peeled and diced
¼ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
For assembly:
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Granulated sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water and apple cider vinegar until a dough forms. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Make the Filling:
- Combine apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until softened.
- Mix cornstarch with water and add to the apple mixture, stirring until thickened. Cool completely.
- Assemble the Empanadas:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough to ⅛-inch thickness and cut into 4-5 inch circles.
- Place filling in the center, fold into half-moons, and crimp edges with a fork.
- Bake:
- Arrange empanadas on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
Customize with pears, peaches, or berries for the filling.
Store baked empanadas at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
Freeze unbaked empanadas for up to 3 months and bake directly from frozen.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 empanadas
- Calories: 210 kcal
