HipLatina
Photo: Unsplash/@pastdexter
Lifestyle

National Empanada Day: 12 Easy Recipes You’ll Want to Cook Up


One of my favorite things to do is to celebrate food holidays. Sure, something like National Empanada Day doesn’t really exist in the way way that Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July do… But, still, they’re an absolutely delicious way to indulge in some of your favorite foods. So, when I learned that National Empanada Day falls on April 8, I had to jump at the chance to cook up some of these delicious pockets of flavor.

In case you didn’t know, empanadas are stuffed pastries that are baked or fried and made in many countries in Latin America, as well as in Spain. Typically, they’re made by folding dough over a stuffing made of meat, cheese, corn, or other ingredients. You’ll typically find them in Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. And if you love them? Well, then you simply MUST try making one of these 12 easy and delicious empanada recipes ASAP.

1. Baked Argentinian Chorizo Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44824958779085230/

Is there anything better than chorizo in empanadas? Only the fact that these are baked and therefore super easy to make!

2. Chicken Empanada with Chipotle Crema

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/336010822189587963/

Classic chicken empanadas are made even better with a delicious chipotle cream that everyone is sure to love.

3. Fajita Style Veggie Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109141990958482901/

Vegetarians love empanadas, too, so don’t be afraid to serve these up at your next little fiesta.

4. Cheesy Ham Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/678284393870913444/

I grew up eating this combination of ham and cheese… and it’s still one that I think is difficult to resist.

5. Caprese Empanadas with Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/95560823331118590/

Combine the flavors of your favorite Italian salad into these little pockets full of perfection.

6. Hatch Green Chile and Cheese Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/110056784632571311/

Those that love hatch green chiles REALLY love them, and is there any real reason not to?

7. Poblano Chicken Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/347199452524129566/

The flavors of a poblano chicken empanadas are pretty perfect as they are, so maybe make a double batch of these.

8. Fried Corn Empanadas with Cheese

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298222806580849341/

Corn empanadas are a favorite for a reason, and you’ll want to make these over and over again.

9. Garbazorizo Bean and Cheese Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44402746315411583/

Delicious empanadas are always a surefire way to please a crowd, so here is one way to do it instantly.

10. Turkey Picadillo Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515521488599466335/

You can easily make these empanadas with the turkey leftover from your holiday dinners.

11. Air Fryer Beef Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140806227257359/

These beef empanadas are made just a little bit healthier with the use of an air fryer. Dig in!

12. Chipotle Tuna Empanadas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/25755029092561758/

Tuna empanadas are a really easy way to enjoy a lighter and fluffier empanada than you’re probably used to.