Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Pastries
Indulge in these delectable Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Pastries, a perfect blend of flavors wrapped in a flaky, homemade crust. These empanadas are packed with nutritious sweet potatoes and protein-rich black beans, all complemented by a fiery kick from jalapeños. Serve them warm with a zesty yogurt sauce for an unforgettable appetizer or main dish, perfect for gatherings or meal prepping. Not only are these pastries delightful, but they freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them anytime with just a quick bake in the oven.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
4 cups (plus additional for rolling dough)
kosher salt
4 teaspoons
unsalted butter
1 cup (cold and cubed)
large eggs
2
white vinegar
2 tablespoons
cold water
1/3-2/3 cup
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon
jalapenos
2 (stemmed, seeded and finely diced)
medium sweet potatoes
3-4 (cooked and mashed)
black beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (rinsed and drained)
Greek yogurt
1 cup
lemon juice
3 tablespoons
lemon zest
1 tablespoon
fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon (chopped)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon
large egg
1 (lightly beaten)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dough by combining the flour and salt in a food processor. Add the cold, cubed butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized lumps. Mix in the eggs and white vinegar, then gradually add cold water until the dough just comes together.
2
Form the dough into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3
For the filling, toast the chili powder, coriander, and cumin in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Stir in the diced jalapeños, mashed sweet potatoes, and black beans. Season with kosher salt to taste and set aside.
4
For the yogurt sauce, mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, cilantro, and cumin in a bowl. Season with salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
6
Divide the chilled dough into 10 equal pieces and roll each piece into a 6-inch circle on a floured surface. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the filling into the center of each circle.
7
Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg, fold over to form a crescent, and press to seal. Cut 3 slits in the top of each empanada and brush the tops with the egg wash.
8
Bake the empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
9
To freeze, prepare the empanadas as above but skip the egg wash. Place formed empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a re-sealable plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
10
For reheating from frozen, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with beaten egg, and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and heated through.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Pastries?
These are empanada-style pastries filled with a savory and spicy mixture of mashed sweet potatoes, black beans, and jalapeños, wrapped in a flaky homemade crust.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, these pastries are vegetarian-friendly as they contain no meat.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 10 equal-sized pastries.
What ingredients are needed for the pastry dough?
The dough requires all-purpose flour, kosher salt, unsalted butter, large eggs, white vinegar, and cold water.
How do I prepare the pastry dough?
Combine flour and salt in a food processor, pulse in cold butter, then mix in eggs, vinegar, and enough cold water until the dough forms.
How long should the dough be chilled?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for at least 1 hour.
Can I use a food processor for the dough?
Yes, a food processor is the recommended tool for mixing the flour and butter to the correct consistency.
What is in the filling?
The filling consists of toasted chili powder, coriander, cumin, diced jalapeños, mashed sweet potatoes, and black beans.
How should the sweet potatoes be prepared for the filling?
The sweet potatoes should be cooked and mashed before being combined with the other filling ingredients.
Are these pastries very spicy?
The spiciness comes from two jalapeños and chili powder; you can adjust these amounts to control the heat level.
What spices are used in the filling?
The filling uses chili powder, ground coriander, and ground cumin.
Why should I toast the spices?
Toasting spices in a skillet until fragrant enhances their natural oils and deepens the overall flavor of the filling.
How many black beans are used?
The recipe calls for two 15-ounce cans of black beans, which should be rinsed and drained.
How do I assemble the empanadas?
Roll 10 dough pieces into circles, place filling in the center, fold over, seal the edges, and cut slits in the top.
What size should the dough circles be?
Each piece of dough should be rolled into a 6-inch circle.
How much filling goes into each pastry?
Each pastry should contain about 3 to 4 tablespoons of the sweet potato and bean mixture.
How do I seal the pastries?
Brush the edges with beaten egg, fold the dough over to form a crescent, and press the edges together to seal.
Why do I need to cut slits in the top?
Cutting slits allows steam to escape during baking, preventing the pastries from bursting.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing the tops with a beaten egg gives the pastries a beautiful golden brown and shiny finish.
What is the baking temperature?
The pastries should be baked at 400°F (200°C).
How long do the pastries need to bake?
They typically bake for approximately 25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
How do I know when the empanadas are done?
They are ready when the crust is firm and has turned a light golden brown color.
What ingredients are in the yogurt sauce?
The sauce is a mix of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh cilantro, cumin, and salt.
How should I serve the yogurt sauce?
The sauce should be served cold as a zesty accompaniment to the warm pastries.
Can I freeze these pastries?
Yes, they freeze very well and can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
How do I freeze the empanadas before baking?
Form them without the egg wash, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a re-sealable bag.
How do I reheat frozen pastries?
Bake them from frozen at 400°F for 35-40 minutes after brushing with an egg wash.
Do I need to thaw frozen empanadas?
No, you can bake them directly from the freezer; just increase the baking time.
Are these pastries good for meal prep?
Absolutely, since they can be frozen and reheated easily, they are perfect for preparing in advance.
What makes the crust flaky?
Using cold, cubed butter and pulsing it until pea-sized lumps remain helps create a flaky, layered texture in the crust.