Ingredients
– 3-4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced – Offer tart flavor and firm texture to balance sweetness and hold up during cooking.
– 1/2 cup caramel sauce – Provides gooey richness and sticky sweetness that defines caramel apple empanadas.
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar – Adds depth and helps caramelize the apple filling for extra flavor.
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Brings warm spice that evokes apple pie empanadas.
– Pinch of salt – Enhances all flavors without overpowering the dessert.
– 1 package (14 oz) refrigerated pie dough (2 crusts) – Creates flaky, golden pastry for the empanadas recipe.
– 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) – Gives a shiny, crisp finish when brushed on top.
– 1/4 cup chopped nuts or raisins – Adds crunch or chew for variety in your apple empanadas.
– Vegetable oil (for frying) – Use 2-3 cups at 350°F if skipping baking.
– Powdered sugar (for dusting) – Finishes with a sweet touch.
Instructions
1-First Step: Prepare the filling (mise en place). Peel and dice 3-4 Granny Smith apples into 1/4-inch pieces. Toss with 1/2 cup caramel sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, and optional nuts. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes to thicken juices and prevent sogginess. Cool completely. This base works for vegan or low-cal by using substitutes.
2-Second Step: Roll out the dough. Unroll refrigerated pie dough on a floured surface. Cut into 5-inch circles using a bowl or cutter (about 6-8 per crust). Reroll scraps for more. Gluten-free dough handles similarly; keep vegan dough chilled.
3-Third Step: Fill and seal empanadas. Spoon 2 tbsp cooled filling onto each circle’s center. Fold over to form half-moons, press edges to seal, then crimp with a fork. Pierce tops with a fork for steam escape. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
4-Fourth Step: Apply egg wash. Brush tops with beaten egg for golden shine (use plant milk for vegan). For low-cal, skip or spray lightly with oil. This step boosts appeal for baking enthusiasts.
5-Fifth Step: Choose cooking method.* Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden. Perfect for baked apple empanadas caramel style.* Fry: Heat 2 inches vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry 2-3 minutes per side until crisp. Drain on paper towels.* Air fry: Preheat to 375°F, spray with oil, cook 8-10 minutes flipping halfway. Healthier option for busy schedules.
6-Final Step: Cool and serve. Cool 10 minutes on rack. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle extra caramel. Serve warm with ice cream. Adapts easily for dietary needs.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🎯 Use cold butter and ice water for the flakiest empanada dough – this creates steam pockets during frying
❄️ Let the apple filling cool completely before assembling to prevent the dough from becoming soggy
⏰ These empanadas can be assembled ahead and frozen for up to 3 months, then fried when needed
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Dough Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg