These easy Air Fryer Empanadas are filled with homemade beef picadillo – they come out crispy and delicious, much healthier than deep frying!
Beef Empanadas Air Fryer Recipe
We LOVE empanadas in my house (Who doesn’t?!). I grew up on them and always have leftover picadillo in my fridge or freezer because I make it at least twice a month. These healthy air fryer empanadas are one of my favorite ways to use up the leftovers. Made with frozen store-bought empanada dough, they only take minutes to cook. They’re also excellent to pack in your kids’ lunchboxes – Madison loves taking them for school lunch. If you have an air fryer and need more dinner ideas you can see all my air fryer recipes here!
I always have ground beef in my freezer, and one of the ground beef recipes I make all the time is these empanadas with leftover picadillo. These air fryer empanadas are easy to whip up since they use leftover picadillo and frozen empanada discs you can find in the freezer section of many supermarkets. In the past, I would always bake them in the oven, but once I got an air fryer, there was no turning back. These beef empanadas turned out perfectly in the air fryer – golden and flaky on the outside with no oil! They also cook in half the time in the air fryer than in the oven. You can watch me make them here!
As you probably know by now, I love air frying. So much so that I even wrote two cookbooks on it! Last year I got the GoWISE 7-Quart Air Fryer and have really liked it. It’s bigger than my last one and is very powerful. A few reasons why I love air fryers:
How To Cook Empanadas in the Air Fryer
- Start by defrosting the frozen dough. If you want to make the dough from scratch you use empanada dough from this recipe. I’ve also had success using my Greek yogurt dough as you can see in these in this taco empanada recipe.
- Add your filling. Place about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling of your choice in the center of each disc (see ideas below).
- Seal them. Fold the dough in half and use a fork to seal the edges so the filling doesn’t come out. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Egg Wash. Since we are not frying, I like to brush them with an egg wash. You can use whole egg or egg whites. If you can’t eat eggs, just spray them with some olive oil.
- Air fry in a single layer, in batches as needed 350F 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway or until golden.
Variations:
You can fill empanadas with just about anything!
- Ground turkey empandas: Use ground turkey instead of beef in your picadillo.
- Chicken Empanadas: Stuff your empanadas with shredded salsa chicken.
- Chili empanadas: Use leftover chili instead of picadillo.
- Make pizza empanadas with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Taco empanadas: Use homemade taco meat to make taco empanadas.
- Lobster Empanadas: See my air fryer lobster empanada recipe here
- If you can’t find the frozen empanada discos, you can make homemade empanada dough or use store-bought pie dough.
- For spicy a version, add jalapeño to the meat.
- If you don’t eat eggs, skip the egg wash and just spritz with olive oil.
- Serve them with hot sauce, salsa, or guacamole.
How to Bake Empanadas in the Oven
No air fryer, no problem! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake these. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 400F degrees on a nonstick baking sheet for about 18 to 20 minutes until golden. The dough won’t have the same blistered texture and they won’t be quite as crisp, but they’ll still be tasty.
How To Freeze
Yes! You can flash freeze uncooked empanadas on a sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to three months so you can whip them up anytime.
Air Fry From Frozen: Pop the frozen empanadas right into your air fryer and air fry 350F for about 12 minutes, turning halfway until golden and hot.
More Empanada Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Lobster Jalapeño Empanadas
- Caramelized Onion Empanadas
- Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Empanadas
- Taco Empanadas
- Jamaican Beef Patties
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Goya empanada discs, in frozen section, thawed
- 1 cup picadillo
- 1 egg white, whisked
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with olive oil spray to avoid sticking, or line the basket with air fryer parchment paper.
- Place 2 tablespoons of the picadillo in the center of each disc. Fold in half and use a fork to seal the edges. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Whisk the egg whites with water, then brush the tops of the empanadas.
- Air fry in a single layer, in batches as needed 350F 8 minutes, turning halfway or until golden. Remove from heat and repeat with the remaining empanadas.
WOW! Made these for the first time today and can’t imagine a week when my family won’t be begging for them!
I made them with ground turkey and Moz. cheese. very good.
You don’t have the recipe for the filling??
Click on the word Picadillo in the article.
Can you make these with egg roll wrappers?
They won’t taste like empanadas but would be tasty!
LOVE LOVE THIS RECIPE. HAVE MADE THEM A FEW TIMES A D NOW TONIGHT I’LL MAKE GINA’S RICE AND BLACK.BEANS. YUM YUM
This is my first time leaving a review even though I make a ton of Skinnytaste recipes and love them all! But this one I really loved because it’s not something I would usually make. So easy and filling!
Very impressed! just when I thought I had made a huge mistake by buying the air fryer. SO good!
I made a Me and now I’m going to stuff the empanadas. Then I’m going to flash freeze them. I’m assuming when I want to cook them then I will put the eggs and water mixture on them before I air fry them correct?
sure
Simple and delicious! I made these with shredded salsa chicken and a little bit of shredded Mexican blend cheese and they were a huge hit. I’ll definitely be making these again – we’re thinking of doing a breakfast empanada!
Yum!
Hello Gina,
My husband and I made the chicken empanadas for dinner today. They were so delicious! Much better than our recent take out empanadas.
Next we are going to make the beef empanadas.
Thank you!
I really would have liked a empanada dough recipe along with this recipe for myself and those that like to make their own dough instead of buying the premade disks.
This is a great airfryer recipe and thank you for posting it
Look at this recipe https://www.skinnytaste.com/taco-empanadas/?swcfpc=1 – the narrative discusses using the 2 ingredient dough with pointers on how. Hope that helps!
This looks great and I can’t wait to try it! Does the nutrition information include the picadillo, or is it for the rest?
Picadillo is included.
Wow, these are DELICIOUS! I followed your recipe exactly even though I don’t love olives. Really great flavor and cooked perfectly in my Cuisanart Air Fryer.
Thanks but.. What temp in the Air fryer though? That’s missing in this lovely recipe above. Oven temp is there but different in the AF. 😁
I would assume it’s also at 325, the temp that you preheat the AF at.
the video looks like the temp was set to 360. i haven’t made these yet, but the temp is unclear.
always follow the recipe
The recipe says air fryer 350 for 8 minutes.
We Loved this tasty meal
Just so good! So glad I got the Goya Empanada shells – they are really unique and so good!
Just made these for the first time with some leftover Cuban picadillo in my new air fryer! OMG so goooood! And so easy! I ate with some of Gina’s Peruvian green sauce on the side (https://www.skinnytaste.com/peruvian-green-sauce/) which was absolutely PERFECT!
Made these for Cinco de Mayo for the first time!! Delicious! Whole family loved them. Added a bit of Jalapeño for some extra spice.
If I can’t find the empanadas discs, what could I use in place of? Puff pastry?
Thanks
You can use this recipe https://www.skinnytaste.com/taco-empanadas/
I also looked eveywhere, even the Walmart employee didnt know. I fianlly found them in the frozen food section. I cant wait to try this receipe.
Is this recipe in a cookbook already? Thank you!
No only on my blog
Just made these I loved them!! Instead of beef I used turkey ground meat and they were awesome!!
We dont eat eggs. What can I brush the top with instead? Looks amazing
maybe milk?
So happy I finally made these! I used leftover salsa chicken as the filling. I warmed up the leftover salsa chicken in the microwave for aboard a minute or two before using it as the filling. I served it with sliced avocado.
Made these tonight and they were delicious. I’m not experienced using empanada discs so what I’m about to suggest may be common knowledge but – in case it will help someone – I found there to be a learning curve using the discs. I live in a hot humid area and found that working with 6 or so discs at a time and leaving the rest in the fridge until you’re ready for them helps. The biggie I discovered about half way through was to use the plastic separator sheets to help form the individual empanadas – that way my warm fingers didn’t make direct contact with the dough.
I make air fryer apple pies with the extra discs. So good! Thank you Gina!
I used the little separating papers too.
Worked great to keep them easily separated and not stuck together.
These were delicious. My mind is racing with everything I can put into one of those wrappers!
the whole family loved it!
Loved this recipe! Have made empanadas with premade pie crust which taste good, but they take a long time to prep and aren’t very stable. First time using the Goya discs when I found this recipe and they work so well! Let mine cook for a few extra minutes to get extra crisp. So easy and SO delicious!
Am I supposed to use the “large” discs or regular (which seem kind of small?) ones? I bought large, which worked fine but I’m really just curious 🙂
I used the smaller one.
I can’t get empanada discs where I live in Hawaii…. can I use wonton wrappers? Or do you have another suggestion?
Hi Amy! Check out this recipe https://www.skinnytaste.com/taco-empanadas/, I show how to make them at home!
I use eggroll wrappers all the time to make southwestern chicken eggrolls. I thinka they’d turn out great! Homemade empanada disks like she suggested would obviously be the better choice to mimic the recipe entirely, but eggroll wrappers are a close second in my opinion 🙂
Love this recipe! It’s soooo easy! I’ve never made empanadas- they seem intimidating. But this recipe makes it totally doable!
This recipe seems to be incomplete, i.e. beef mixture?
Use picadillo, https://www.skinnytaste.com/picadillo-6-ww-pts/
I’ve made these in the past and they’re amazing! Could I make them ahead of time and flash freeze to air fry later? I like to have things I can pop in easily for lunch during the week.
Yessssss!! I have the power airfryer xl and I make ahead and freeze them all the time I’m doing it right now actually!! Don’t defrost them reheat them frozen at 350 for 11 minutes When we go on vacation our neighbor’s daughter watches our pack of dogs I try to put stuff I know she will enjoy and cook without the stove Even tho she’s an adult lol These empanadas are at the top of my list Homemade picadillo They are delicious!
Just a quick note – the Goya shells are not dairy free as unfortunately the ingredient list does include margarine 🙁
I love your site and your Insta!!
Margarine is a vegan product… I’m a little confused. It is made with vegetable oils and although it’s terrible for you doesn’t contain any animal byproducts.
You could use the biscuit dough like I do. I love using sweet potato filling too.
Someone please tell me where I can find store bought empanada dough? I looked all over Walmart yesterday – really want to try these (and my sister keeps bugging me to try them too).
I have has issues finding them in walmart, the few times i did they were in the freezer section where the other frozen goya products are. here is florida it seems that the only place carrying them now is Winn Dixie
Hi! Do you flip the empanadas halfway through cooking in the air fryer?
These are AWESOME!!! I could not find the frozen empanada disks so I used the bagel recipe and omitted the baking powder. Also when I made the picadillo I used 95/5 ground beef and omitted the olives. When I plugged everything into the weight watcher calculator it came to 3 freestyle points for 1 and 7 freestyle points for 2. My husband said they are “big guy approved”. ?
Interesting! Glad it came out good!
Could you use this recipe for the dough part but use a pumpkin or apple filling instead? I love my Air Fryer too!!!
Hi Gina-
We’re were wondering if adding some lowfat cheese on the inside would cause any issues? If not, what would be your suggestion(s)? We love your books!
Jim & Robyn
Should be fine!
Wondering how these were calculated to be 5 Freestyle points. I just checked the Goya empanada disks and they are 4 points each. Is 2 T of the piccadilly meat only 1 point?
Are you using the recipe builder?
I made these in the oven and they came out perfect and crisp! I used a wire “cooling rack” thing (not sure the official name) on a cookie sheet, sprayed it VERY WELL with cooking spray, baked them at 400 for 10 minutes then turned the broiler on high for about 2 minutes or until golden and crispy (WATCH THEM CLOSE!!), flipped them and broiled for another minute and half. They were crispy like they were fried and golden. Wish I could post a picture!
I love this recipe!!! Can you freeze the leftover meat?
yes!
If I didn’t put the olives in would I miss out in a lot of flavor? I really don’t like olives!!
Should be ok
Gina, I LOVE YOUR RECIPES. Today I decided to give these a try. They were a hit! I am not sure how these are 5 points when one disc is 6 points? I used the Goya brand and small discs.
They are 4 each.
Mine said 6 points too and they are the correct ones
If I were to make these for meal prep, how would you recommend freezing them? I’d like to freeze individually for quick lunches but I’m unsure if I should freeze before or after putting them in the air fryer? Thanks! Then how would you recommend reheating?
Made these yesterday DELICIOUS! Thanks for another great recipe. I ended up with 20 empanadas, They seem to freeze well. I just made sure the were frozen individually then I wrapped them in parchment and then plastic wrap.
Hi Lynne. I was hoping to have these in the freezer for a quick meal when needed. Wondered if you fried/baked them and then froze them or did you freeze them before frying/baking?
I can’t wait to try these! I would LOVE to see a dessert recipe using these empanada disks and the air fryer. I’m going to try an apple pie or pumpkin pie version on my won but I feel sure you would have a great idea for them as well!
How do you suggest reheated these? Wanted to put in my son’s lunch and let him reheat at school…Thank you!
Ever since I saw this recipe I’ve been dying to try it. My family loves mexican food and I love to cook in my air fryer. I wasn’t in the mood for beef, so I decided to make chicken empanadas instead. I put 2 chicken breasts, 1 cup of chicken broth, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and garlic powder in my instant pot. I cooked at high pressure for 25 minutes and let naturally release, and shredded the chicken. I then used the shredded chicken in the skinnytaste chicken enchilada recipe. I used the enchilada chicken in my empanadas and they were absolutely delicious. I served with salsa and cauliflower rice. So yummy!
These were AMAZING! I dont have an air fryer yet, so i baked them, and my five year old is now begging for “pinatas” for dinner at least once a week! I made both turkey and beef because i was curious about both, and wanted to keep my points down, My family [refers beef, but turkey was still quite tasty. I have got to say, I’m so grateful for this website. You are helping both myself and my whole family eat healthier, and for once my kids aren’t complaining about it!
How did you make them in the oven
What temperature did you bake them at and for how long?
I froze half of the empanadas. How do I cook them in the airfryer now (temp & time). I brushed them with egg wash before I froze them.
Love your recipes! Any ideas on vegetarian fillings for empanadas?
Is there a substitute for the egg whites?
I’m assuming you defrost the dough first right??
yes
Can you tell me how much beef you used in this recipe? I am guessing what ever the amount it would be divided by 8 servings but I want to make sure I follow this to a “T” as it sounds so good.
1 cup from the picadillo recipe.. https://www.skinnytaste.com/picadillo-6-ww-pts/
Did you stuff the empanada while the picadillo was warm or did you make them with cold leftover picadillo? ????
Cold is fine.
I think cold may be better. I made these last night (they were delicious!). My filling was warm and it warmed up the dough a little too much making it a little harder to work with. I have leftover piccadillo in the fridge and plan on making more.
Made the empanada recipe on the airfryer I got for Christmas. Empanadas were delicious. Better than fried ones. Loved that they were done in such a short time.
Great!
Do you think these would freeze well?
Hi Gina, does the egg wash make the dough softer when you air fry it or is it just to brown it? I did a Lebanese style empanadas and the dough comes out a little dry vs when you deep fry it? Just wondering if you have any suggestions! Thanks!
Could you use pie dough or empanada discs to make air fryer apple pies?
Also she just put them in the oven.
My daughter made these for us last weekend but used filo pastry dough that she found in the freezer section at the grocery as the Goya wrap were not available. She used Gina’s Piccadillo and we topped them with a chimichurri sauce (parsley, garlic, oil and vinegar).
They were incredible! All 12 of us including picky kids loved them.
Love my Best Customer air fryer and 1st one I have owned that does not stick So happy to find these recipes!
We made these the other night for our “Fun Food Thursday” meal. They were great! A big hit. I made the recipe just as written. I noticed in the blog that you had tried the air fryer with your buttermilk fried chicken. I would like to make chicken and waffles on of these Thursdays and wonder how long did you cook the chicken in the air fryer. I can always count on your recipes to be delicious!
Gina, you’re singlehandedly responsible for my Instant Pot and Spiralizer purchases. I think I’m going to have to add another gadget to your credit list!!
Could you freeze these?
I also have the Nuwave airfryer. I love this recipe but had a terrible time with the dough sticking to the basket. I sprayed lots of olive oil spray on both the empanadas and the basket but still had lto te of problemas with the pues sticking. Help!!! I’m tempted to bite the bullet and buy the more expensive model that has a different kind of basket.
Did you spray the dough?
Did you ever figure out a solution to this? Sprayed the pan, the dough, my hands, my dog – everything! Still a sticky (but still delicious) mess.
I found the frozen goya disks but maybe I got a bad batch. Are they normally orange on one side? I figured maybe it was the annato but they also smelled odd like old walnuts I made the empanada and they never got like a nice dough and just tasted off. Can those discs go rancid? I have had oher empanada before in Miami that just tasted like crust and filling should
I have never bought the orange ones, so I am not sure!
Love your recipes Gina and so excited you got an airfryer – but this was the most difficult recipe I had to work with ????. Mainly because 1– the dough kept ripping 2- the dough would stick on the air fryer basket. Any advice on keeping dough from ripping and also not to stick ? I followed your instructions – is it that I have to egg wash both sides ?! I also have the gowise and it doesn’t have 325 but when I did 330 it didn’t look as golden as the picture you have. Maybe different air fryers have different temperatures ?
Interesting. It shouldn’t rip unless you have too much filling maybe? And I sprayed the basked with oil to prevent sticking. The egg wash can be on one side only.
Any suggestions on a dipping sauce to serve them with?
Oh and yes, very filling! I had two.
Tried these tonight! Our family loves your picadillo recipe. They were very juicy! I cooked them for 4 minutes and then flipped them for 4 more. All 4 kids loved them and asked me to make them again. I even suggested they take them for lunch tomorrow (like youmentioned you did for Madison) and they were excited about that. Love my air fryer! Soooo glad you are posting recipes for it. Going to make your chicken parm in it tomorrow.
Just wondering if 1 is filling? What do you serve this with? Is the filling juicy? The picture looks dry. I, too, have an air fryer sitting in my closet along with a brand new IP. I’m scared to use them. This looks like something I can handle…just need to know if the 1/serving is filling. Thank you. Love your recipes. I have both cookbooks and love them!
In my little Tennessee town, can’t find the empanada discs. What could I used to substitute for them.. Best regards from the land of biscuits and gravy. Devon
Maybe pie crust or filo dough? Not sure where you are in TN but some Ingles stores have them.
Could I freeze the leftovers if I made extras?
Yes! So glad you are posting some air fryer recipes. I just bought one myself but not sure how to modify some of my recipes. Thanks so much for sharing! I follow you and have made several of your other recipies and love them!
Angela
So excited for air fryer recipes from you! I got one for my birthday and have been too scared to use it. But I am making these tomorrow night! Thanks to you Gina (and WW) I have lost 50 lbs as of this week! I would have given up long ago without your recipes!
That’s awesome Anna! Great job!
What happened?! My empanadas are orange! The dough was a little orangey but it was the Goya brand and said it was for making empanadas on the back. I made them in the oven. Any thoughts on why they don’t look golden brown?
The inside tastes delicious though!
Goya has 2 kinds, one is orange.
Whats the diameter of the dough discs?
If it broke, would you buy another?
Made this tonight. Was absolutely deliscious. Will have leftovers over rice. Do more air fryer receives please
Gina,
What about using these airfryer recipes in a convection oven? Aren’t they the same principle? I’m thinking of trying these in my convection oven, which I’ve NEVER used!:)
I’m so excited that you got an airfryer! I can’t wait to see what you make with it
Would you be able to add airfryer recipes to your key? I am always looking for new Instant Pot and Air Fryer Recipes. Making the barbacoa tonight!
I am so excited to try these in my new airfryer~ I bought one a month ago and have to trying to find healthy recipes to try. Looking forward to trying any you can share! Thank you!
Have you even made empanadas Venezolanas with Harina Pan? I’ve only deep fried them and am looking a healthier way to prepare them.
Colombians make them the same, I haven’t tried.
Gina, can premade pie dough work? How big are the empanada dough-6 inch?
I love your recipes and am so excited we might be seeing more air fryer recipes now! Can’t wait. Thank you for your great recipes.
Tofu seasoned however you like it is magical in the air fryer. Also, potatoes (white or sweet) seasoned and diced with Braggs Liquid Aminos instead of salt. The Air Fryer is amazing. Can’t wait to see your recipes Gina!
Tilapia was better than pan fried and it was lime infused bcuz of the high heat.
Oh, these look so good. I have the Picadillo in the IP right now to have with rice. I decided to check my email while it’s cooking and saw you in my email. Going to hit the store tomorrow and see if I can find these!
I have an Air Fryer but don’t use it as much as my IP. Glad you are going to try recipes using that! Thank you.
I LOVE that my local store carries the GOYA frozen empanadas! Makes it so much easier!!
Can you post a picture of the packaging of the dough?
https://www.goya.com/en/products/frozen-ingredients/discos
Hi – this uses 8 discs but shows just 4 servings of one empanada each. Help – I’m confused LOL.
Sorry! Typo! 8 servings, 1 empanada per serving.
I don’t know how this works out. The discs are coming up as 6 points on WW scanner app.
That would make each empanada at least 7 points!
Random but what be yo box insert are you using in your daughters lunch bag? I’ve been through a few and haven’t found the perfect one yet????
*bento
Or Fit&Fresh
This is the Fresh&Fit
I have a convection oven will it work the same as the fryer?
Not the same. I have a convection toaster oven and a convection oven. The airfryer is more enclosed and cooks faster.
We don’t have the pre-made discs anywhere near me. Any ideas for an easy substitute?
I’ve made empanadas before using packaged refrigerated biscuit dough. I just rolled them out thin. Turned out great!
pie dough would work
I always use pie pastry and my husband and kids love them.
I made my own whole wheat empanada dough using a recipe I found online and they turned out great. I’m not very experienced with making my own dough, but it was really easy.
Crescent rolls, reduced fat
These look incredible!! I love my air fryer, and love that you’ll be sharing recipes for it!! Thanks as always!
This looks delicious! I have a question about the air fryer. How long did it take to clean after you made the empanadas? I tried roasting a chicken using the convection setting on my oven and I had a big mess to clean up afterward – the skin spattered everywhere. If an air fryer is easy to clean, I just might give it a try. Thanks!
This was really easy to clean
I have the question as Diane about serving size!
Yield: 8 servings, Serving Size: 1 empanada
I know the recipe says 1 empanada for serving, but wondered because she packed two for her daughter’s lunch…
How did they taste when you baked them in the oven? I do not have an air fryer; and I would like your opinion before I attempt to bake them.
Fine!
How long did you do your buttermilk chicken in the air fryer?
22 minutes
Where can I find the goya wrappers?
Neighborhood Walmart
Ours didn’t carry them.
Frozen with the other prepared Latin foods. 2 different sizes. We prefer the smaller discs.
I think they are Goya also and marked “discos para empanadas”
Darn! I sold my NuWave Brio air fryer. I liked it a lot, but didn’t use it nearly as much as I would. Plus I was moving out of state and was trying to lighten my load as much as I could. Having said that, I now live in the mid west, and am able to buy Goya products, about which I am super excited. I can’t wait to try this recipe, even if I have to bake them the old fashioned way. : )
🙂
The Power XL 5.3 qt. Airfryer is large enough for a family. Easy to clean copper basket. Holds a hold chicken easily! I bought a smaller one too ad exchanged it!
Whole chicken
Kohls with a 30% coupon
Do you use the empanada discs that are made for baking or frying?
I used the ones for frying
Looks delicious! One question- 8 shells, 2 apiece/serving? The recipe says 1/serving. Thanks!
I do not have an air fryer, but I LOVE empanadas and want to make these. How long would you bake these for in the oven and at what temperature?
My guess is same temp and bake until golden, about double the time
I made mine in the oven too. I set the temp at 400 and baked for 8 minutes then flipped them over and baked for another 4-5 minutes.