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    Apple Empanadas Made In The Air Fryer Or Oven

    by Brendan Cunningham 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These air fryer empanadas have a cinnamon apple filling and are basically mini apple pies! They're pockets of buttery apple cinnamon deliciousness wrapped in a flaky and crispy empanada crust with caramelized cinnamon-sugar glaze. So if you've been looking for the best apple dessert, this is it!

    A hand holding an apple empanada with caramel sauce dripping from it into the bowl of caramel sauce below it. Behind it is a whiteboard that is filled with three other empanadas.

    Table of Contents

    • THE BEST APPLE EMPANADAS
      • INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE EMPANADAS
        • APPLES TO USE FOR THESE EMPANADAS
      • HOW TO MAKE APPLE EMPANADAS IN THE AIR FRYER
        • STEP 1: MAKING THE APPLE FILLING
        • STEP 2: FILLING THE EMPANADAS
        • STEP 3: AIR FRYING THE EMPANADAS
        • HOW TO MAKE APPLE EMPANADAS IN THE OVEN
        • HOW TO FRY APPLE EMPANADAS ON THE STOVETOP
      • STORING THESE APPLE EMPANADAS
      • WRAPPING IT ALL UP
    • DESSERT RECIPES
    • Air Fryer Empanadas With Apple Cinnamon Filling
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    THE BEST APPLE EMPANADAS

    This apple empanadas recipe is hands down one of the tastiest desserts you can make in an air fryer.

    They remind me a lot of apple pie, but I think they're even better!

    These air fryer empanadas are small enough to eat on the go or to pack in your lunchbox. And, of course, they are a delicious snack or after-dinner dessert at home.

    With that said, what I love about these apple empanadas is they have the perfect crust to filling ratio. So they aren't too doughy, and each bite starts with a crispy crunch and ends with a soft cinnamon apple finish.

    And making these empanadas in the air fryer is by far the easiest way! Seriously, it only takes 45 minutes to make 24 of these heavenly little apple empanadas.

    Oh, and this recipe is super adaptable too. If you don't want to cook the empanadas in air fryer, you can bake them in the oven or fry them on the stovetop. Just like my Chicken Empanadas and Beef Empanadas!

    A white bowl filled with a couple of empanadas that are standing straight up in front of one another.

    INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE EMPANADAS

    What makes this empanadas recipe even better is that all you need to make it is a handful of simple ingredients.

    Here's everything you'll need to make the apple empanadas:

    • 24 Empanada Discs
    • 2 Apples, chopped
    • 3 tbsp. Butter
    • 3 tbsp. Brown Sugar
    • 1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract
    • 1 tsp. Cinnamon 

    And for the finishing touches:

    • 2 tbsp. Sugar
    • 1 tbsp. Cinnamon 
    • 2 tbsp. Butter, melted
    • Caramel syrup for dipping

    As you may have noticed, you'll need empanada discs to complete this recipe. And we have an incredible Empanada Dough Recipe that takes these to the next level, so you'll want to whip those up really quick first! 

    Oh, and by the way, this Apple Butter Recipe and Apple Crisp Recipe uses many of the same ingredients as these apple empanadas, so you may want to check those out next!

    A bowl of cinnamon sugar on a white counter next to a wooden cutting board with an empanada disc on a piece of parchment paper, a small white bowl of melted butter, and part of a bowl filled with apple filling. APPLES TO USE FOR THESE EMPANADAS

    So, if you want to get the best results for your apple filling, you'll want to use apples that hold their shape and flavor after long cooking times.

    Some good options are Honeycrisps, Pink Lady apples, Braeburns, and Jonagolds.

    With that said, some apples you should probably skip are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Gala because these tend to turn mushy or lose their flavor as they cook.

    HOW TO MAKE APPLE EMPANADAS IN THE AIR FRYER

    Ok, so 45 minutes is all you need to make 24 of these addictive apple empanadas.

    And if you have a little extra time on your hands, I definitely recommend doubling or tripling the recipe so you have extras you can freeze for later.

    Now, let's dive into the recipe!

    Apple filling on an empanada discs on top of a piece of parchment paper on a wooden cutting board. Behind it is a small bowl of melted butter and next to that is part of a bowl with the apple filling in it.

    STEP 1: MAKING THE APPLE FILLING

    First, we'll prepare the apple filling. So, take out a pot and heat it over medium-high heat. 

    Then add in the butter, chopped apples, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.

    Stir these ingredients to incorporate everything evenly, then let the filling mixture cook for 25 minutes.

    STEP 2: FILLING THE EMPANADAS

    Now, when your apple filling is ready, let it cool slightly, and preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180ºC).

    Then, add about 1 tablespoon of apple mixture to the center of each empanada disk and gently fold the empanada in half - sealing the edges with a spoon.

    Next, to top the empanadas off, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl, brush the melted butter on each empanada, and sprinkle some of the cinnamon sugar over them.

    A hand holding a spoon sprinkling cinnamon sugar on top of an empanada that is on a piece of parchment paper on a wooden cutting board. Behind the empanadas a small bowl of butter and a large bowl of apple filling.

    STEP 3: AIR FRYING THE EMPANADAS

    So, once your empanadas are ready, take the tray out of your air fryer and spray it with an even coating of oil.

    Then, cook your empanadas in batches of about 3-5 for 10 minutes each at 350°F (180ºC), flipping them halfway through cooking.

    By the way, if you're using a large air fryer, you can cook your empanadas in bigger batches as long as they aren't touching each other in the basket and have room to lay flat. 

    Finally, serve your apple empanadas with a side of caramel syrup for dipping and enjoy!

    An air fryer filled with for Apple empanadas.

    HOW TO MAKE APPLE EMPANADAS IN THE OVEN

    As I mentioned earlier, you can also make easy baked apple empanadas in the oven.

    For oven-baked apple empanadas, start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

    Then, spray a baking grid with oil and place it over a baking sheet, or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Arrange the prepared dessert empanadas evenly on the sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the outside is golden brown. Then enjoy these easy baked apple empanadas!

    An apple empanada that is in half with ½ on top of the other in the inside of the empanada showing. Behind as part of a white bowl with empanadas in it and part of a square bowl with caramel sauce in it.

    HOW TO FRY APPLE EMPANADAS ON THE STOVETOP

    Of course, you can also fry your empanadas on the stovetop.

    Take out a large pot or deep pan and fill it with just enough oil to cover your empanadas completely or halfway.

    Now, heat the oil to 365°F (180ºC). Or, if you don't have an oil thermometer, stick a chopstick or the end of a wooden spoon into the oil - you'll know the oil is ready when bubbles form around the wood.

    Then, add the empanadas a few at a time, and cook them for 5 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.

    Oh, and if you're shallow frying your empanadas, you'll want to turn them over after 3 minutes to get both sides evenly cooked.

    Then, place them on a drying rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil before serving.

    A white bowl filled with four empanadas upright in front of one another. The white bowl is on a white counter in front of it as part of a square white dish with caramel sauce.

    STORING THESE APPLE EMPANADAS

    Again, this recipe makes 24 deliciously addictive apple empanadas.

    So, naturally, you'll have some leftovers. Unless you're making them for a party, of course - in that case, they'll be gone in a flash!

    Anyway, these apple empanadas make great leftovers and can be either refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

    If freezing, put them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to an airtight container.

    By the way, you can even freeze the uncooked empanadas for up to 3 months and cook them whenever you want! Just remember to separate the empanadas with sheets of baking paper so they don't stick to each other.

    Four empanadas lined up with one another in a white bowl.

    WRAPPING IT ALL UP

    So, now you know how to make apple empanadas from scratch!

    These dessert empanadas make an amazing fall and winter treat, but honestly, I could have them any time of year! They're just so tasty with the warm apple cinnamon filling and crunchy dough.

    Everyone always loves them - seriously, make these for your family and friends, and you'll be everybody's favorite person! And when they ask you for the recipe, you'll know where to point them (wink, wink).

    Anyway, I hope you enjoy these apple empanadas as much as my family and I do. If you try them let me know how they go for you in the comments below!

    DESSERT RECIPES

    If you're looking for more delicious and easy dessert recipes, we have a ton on the blog we think you'll like.

    Give one of these a try next:

    • Fried Dough
    • Toasted Almond Cake
    • Oatmeal Cookies
    • Marshmallow Cookies
    • Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Print

    Air Fryer Empanadas With Apple Cinnamon Filling

    A white bowl filled with four empanadas upright in front of one another. The white bowl is on a white counter in front of it as part of a square white dish with caramel sauce.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 8 reviews

    These air fryer empanadas have a cinnamon apple filling and are basically mini apple pies! They're pockets of buttery apple cinnamon deliciousness wrapped in a flaky and crispy empanada crust with caramelized cinnamon-sugar glaze. So if you've been looking for the best apple dessert, this is it!

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 24 empanadas
    • Category: Breakfast
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: Spanish

    Ingredients

    Apple empanadas:

    24 Empanada Discs

    2 Apples, chopped

    3 tbsp. Butter

    3 tbsp. Brown Sugar

    1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract

    1 tsp. Cinnamon 

    Finishing touches:

    2 tbsp. Sugar

    1 tbsp. Cinnamon 

    2 tbsp. Butter, melted

    Caramel syrup for dipping

    Instructions

    1. Heat a pot over medium-high heat, add the butter, apples, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Cook for 25 minutes.
    2. Fill the empanada discs with 1 tbsp. of the apple filling and close them using a spoon.
    3. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180ºC).
    4. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
    5. Brush the empanadas with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
    6. Remove the grid from the air fryer and spray it with some oil. Cook in batches of 4 (or more depending on your air fryer, they shouldn't touch each other) for 10 minutes.
    7. Serve with caramel syrup for dipping.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 empanada
    • Calories: 168
    • Fat: 2.4
    • Carbohydrates: 19
    • Fiber: 3
    • Protein: 3

    Keywords: air fryer empanadas, air fryer apple empanadas, apple empanadas, apple empanadas recipe mexican, apple empanadas recipe easy, apple empanadas recipe from scratch, caramel apple empanadas recipe, apple empanadas recipe, apple empanadas recipe, apple empanadas baked, apple empanadas fried, how to make empanadas in air fryer, how to make empanadas in oven, how to fry empanadas on the stovetop.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @ImHungryForThat — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carlene

      November 29, 2021 at 10:08 am

      I was drooling over the picture of them on IG and had to make them. So glad I did they were amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Marisa

      December 10, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Oh my gosh so delish!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Marissa

      December 15, 2021 at 11:35 am

      I have always wanted to try empanadas and made these and they're delicious!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Meg

      December 15, 2021 at 11:41 am

      6/5

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Karolyn

      December 16, 2021 at 9:48 am

      The dough is unbelievable and filling is ahhh so good

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Mel

      December 17, 2021 at 8:42 am

      Woah these were spot on empanadas and delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Kathy

      January 19, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      Oh my these were delightful!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Nora

      September 28, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      I am obsessed with these they are fantastic!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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