17 Empanada Recipes (+ Best Filling Ideas)

I’m turning over a new leaf and loading up on these empanada recipes.

All you need is a bit of dough and your favorite stuffings to join me. Empanadas are so easy, and can be filled with whatever you want! 

Savory, sweet, or spicy. There isn’t a wrong way to make them!

Best Ever Homemade Empanadas

Craving cheesy empanadas? Or maybe black bean empanadas? How about some churro empanadas?

I’ve put together a list of 17 of the most enjoyable empanadas recipes for you. Try one or try them all!

Grab your dough, and knead your way into finger food territory. No cutlery required, as these empanadas are totally totable! 

Enjoy empanadas any time of day, with anyone, any way you want them!

1. Easy Beef Empanadas

This recipe is a classic loaded with potatoes, veggies, and seasoned ground beef.

You make your dough from scratch. Then, cook your fillings and load up your dough. You can do a simple fork press to seal after the fillings are in.

These are rich, savory empanadas everyone will love.

2. Chicken Empanadas

Chicken is a popular filling for empanadas, and for good reason.

These remind me of fajitas on the go. Onions, peppers, and seasoned chicken are all packed into the dough. 

You’ll love the buttery crust on the dough, especially when it’s loaded with authentic flavors.

3. Cheese Empanadas

Sometimes, quesadillas are okay, but cheese empanadas are always better.

The homemade dough is so easy to make and bakes beautifully. Flour, butter, water, and salt are all you need to make it.

This recipe calls for cheddar and parmesan cheese, but use any you like. Spice it up with pepper jack, or add a creamier cheese for a gooey filling.

4. Shrimp Empanadas

Have you ever had shrimp and chorizo? No matter how you answer that question, you have to try these empanadas.

This recipe has both shrimp and chorizo covered in warm seasonings. While you bake your empanadas, whip up some cilantro crema for dipping.

Whether served as party food or plated for dinner, these empanadas deserve an award!

5. Spicy Pulled Pork Empanadas

I always make way too much pulled pork for carnitas. This recipe comes in handy for leftovers.

Your pulled pork will cook with chunks of pepper jack cheese. You know these come out spicy, creamy, and filling!

Guacamole is the perfect condiment for serving, though salsa verde is good, too.

6. Tilapia Empanadas

Tilapia is a beautiful, light, flaky fish to fill up your empanadas. It’s the perfect protein for capers, peppers, onions, and olives.

Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list. It might look long, but most of the ingredients are there to build the flavor.

Nutty, salty, and savory mix-ins make these empanadas rich and flavorful.

7. Tuna Fish Empanadas

Canned tuna is a great pantry staple for many reasons. Low-fat, high nutritional value, and shelf stability all make it an amazing ingredient!

This recipe uses traditional empanada veggies and canned tuna for a Lent-friendly meal.

Latin flavors envelop the tuna and make the fish lighter in flavor while baking.

8. Crab Empanadas

In my humble opinion, there isn’t a wrong way to eat crab. Crab stuffed empanadas are no exception to that rule!

Flavorful, succulent crab salad is the perfect stuffing for empanadas. The crab meat is mixed with peppers, onions, cilantro, and tomato sauce. 

For a creamier filling, add in some cream cheese, too!

9. Vegetarian Empanadas

Meatless Mondays don’t have to be flavorless or dull. The key to delicious vegetarian food is all in the seasoning. 

These empanadas are frugal and family-friendly food. Beans, peppers, and corn are the perfect trio of veggies for empanadas.

Not to mention, there’s the heavenly avocado cashew dipping sauce!

10. Black Bean Vegan Empanadas

Black beans are my go-to vegan protein. They’re filling, nutritious, versatile, and budget-friendly!

This recipe adds tomatoes, bell peppers, and corn. I would be content with just the seasoned black beans topped with avocados and cilantro.

Rather than making your own dough, this recipe calls for vegan puff pastry.

This small step cuts back on prep time to have your dinner ready in under an hour!

11. Argentine Empanadas

These are some of the most flavorful, savory empanadas you will ever have! 

The filling is made with beef, vegetables, and hard-boiled egg.

The egg adds texture and flavor, making these empanadas wholesome and satisfying. 

You can bake or fry these empanadas, as both are good with small differences in the crust. 

12. Spinach and Potato Empanadas

Pastry dough and earthy veggies are the perfect Spanish side dish. 

These empanadas are completely meatless, loaded with potatoes, spinach, onions, and cheese. You can’t beat the great flavor and healthy ingredients!

13. Chorizo Empanadas

I love chorizo, but I struggle to come up with new ways to use this spicy sausage. 

These are filled with three simple ingredients: chorizo, potatoes, and cheese. Simple, flavorful, and filling. It doesn’t get much better than that!

I love a cilantro crema sauce for these empanadas, but they’re excellent as they are!

14. Strawberry Empanadas

Ever wished you could take your pie on the road, and not worry about the mess?

This recipe makes little strawberry pie pockets that are absolute perfection.

Grab some pre-made pie crust, sugar, and strawberries, and you’re good to go! 

They’re simple, sweet, and oh so delicious!

15. S’Mores Empanadas

Looking for a new dessert to serve up? These s’mores are a winner for all ages!

Making your dough in a food processor takes out the pain of cutting in butter.

After your dough is ready to go, load it up with marshmallows and chocolate chips. 

As they bake, the filling will melt and make a sweet, ooey-gooey, delicious mess.

16. Air Fryer Empanadas

Air fryers are here to stay, and these empanadas make the best use of them.

Scrumptious ground beef and peppers are loaded into a boxed pastry dough. The best part? They cook in your air fryer in just 8 minutes.

With a handful of ingredients and less than thirty minutes, you’ll be ready to serve!

17. Cinnamon Churro Empanadas

If you don’t love churros, I’m not sure we can be friends. Okay, we can be friends. More churros for me.

If you do love churros, you’ll love how simple these churro-inspired empanadas are!

Pizza crust dough, cinnamon, sugar, and pudding are all you need. These are best filled with a cinnamon pudding.

If you can’t find any, mixing cinnamon sugar in vanilla pudding works as well.