Crispy Puerto Rican Empanadas
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Puerto Rico with these Crispy Empanadas! These delectable fried meat pies are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or shredded chicken, combined with vibrant vegetables, aromatic spices, and hint of olives for a unique twist. Perfect as a lunch option or a satisfying snack, these empanadas are easy to make at home and are sure to impress your friends and family. Serve them warm and enjoy the burst of flavors in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
Vegetable oil (for dough)
1/4 cup
Warm water
1 cup (heated)
Ground beef or shredded chicken
1 lb (browned or cooked)
Onion
1/2 medium (diced)
Green bell pepper
1/2 (diced)
Garlic cloves
3 (crushed)
Fresh cilantro
1/8 cup (chopped)
Green olives
1/8 cup (sliced)
Salt and pepper
to taste
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon
Sazon Goya seasoning
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package (with coriander and annatto)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
1 cup (heated)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dough by combining the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in an electric mixer. Add the vegetable oil and warm water, mixing for about 3 minutes until a soft dough forms.
2
Once mixed, take the dough out and knead it on a floured surface for about 3 minutes until smooth. Wrap it in plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 15 minutes.
3
While the dough rests, make the filling. If using ground beef, brown it in a skillet over medium heat, draining excess grease afterwards. For shredded chicken, sauté it in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until heated through.
4
Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, crushed garlic, chopped cilantro, sliced green olives, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and sazon seasoning to the meat. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool.
5
After the dough has rested, divide it into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a circle approximately 4 inches in diameter.
6
Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling on one half of each dough circle. Carefully fold the other half over the filling to create a semi-circle, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for added security.
7
In a large frying pan, heat 1 cup of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, fry the empanadas in batches, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
8
Remove the empanadas from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Puerto Rican Empanadas?
They are delicious fried meat pies filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or shredded chicken, vegetables, and aromatic spices.
What type of flour is used for the dough?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Does the dough use any leavening agents?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
How much oil is added to the empanada dough?
The dough requires 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
What is the liquid component for the dough?
One cup of heated warm water is used to form the soft dough.
How long should I mix the dough in the electric mixer?
Mix for about 3 minutes until a soft dough forms.
How long do I need to knead the dough by hand?
Knead the dough on a floured surface for approximately 3 minutes until it is smooth.
How long should the dough rest before rolling?
The dough should rest wrapped in plastic wrap for 15 minutes.
What kind of meat can I use for the filling?
You can use either 1 lb of browned ground beef or 1 lb of cooked shredded chicken.
Should I drain the ground beef after browning?
Yes, you should drain the excess grease from the skillet after browning the beef.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes 1/2 a medium diced onion and 1/2 a diced green bell pepper.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 3 crushed garlic cloves.
Is fresh cilantro used in the filling?
Yes, include 1/8 cup of chopped fresh cilantro for flavor.
What type of olives are added to the mixture?
The recipe uses 1/8 cup of sliced green olives for a unique twist.
What is the specific seasoning used for the Puerto Rican flavor?
One 1.25 ounce package of Sazon Goya seasoning with coriander and annatto is used.
Is tomato paste included in the meat filling?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste is added to the filling mixture.
How long do the vegetables and meat cook together?
Cook the mixture for an additional 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Should the filling be hot when assembling the empanadas?
No, you should remove the filling from the heat and allow it to cool before assembly.
How many empanadas does this recipe yield?
The dough should be divided into 12 equal pieces to make 12 empanadas.
How large should I roll each piece of dough?
Each piece should be rolled into a circle approximately 4 inches in diameter.
How much filling goes into each empanada?
Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling on one half of each dough circle.
How do I seal the empanadas?
Fold the dough over the filling, press the edges firmly, and use a fork to crimp the edges.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe uses 1 cup of vegetable oil for frying.
What temperature should I use for frying?
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
How long does it take to fry the empanadas?
Fry them in batches for about 5 minutes on each side.
How do I know when the empanadas are finished cooking?
They are ready when they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
What should I do with the empanadas immediately after frying?
Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Are these empanadas better served hot or cold?
They are best served warm to enjoy the burst of flavors in every bite.
Can these be served as a snack?
Yes, they are described as a satisfying snack or a great lunch option.
Is this a good recipe for entertaining?
Absolutely, these empanadas are described as party food that is sure to impress friends and family.