Puerto Rican Empanadas Recipe

Savor a flavor-packed fiesta with our Puerto Rican Empanadas! Delight in crispy exteriors surrounding a tempting blend of olives, sofrito, onions, and garlic. These Air Fryer treats provide a convenient, mess-free, and healthier indulgence.

📝 Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 1 large sweet yellow onion (small diced)
• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup sofrito
• 1 pound ground 80/20 beef
• 1/2 teaspoon dry adobo
• 1 large potato (small diced)
• 10 pimiento-stuffed olives (cut in half)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 Packages of 12 Goya Empanada wrappers for Baking or Frying
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 4 eggs
• 4 Tablespoons water
• Cooking Spray
• Cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the onions, garlic, and sofrito. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. 2Add the beef to the pan and pour the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the beef. Then, sprinkle the 1/2 tsp dry adobo on top. Stir and break up the beef into crumbles until well combined.
3. 3Add the potatoes, olives, bay leaves, raisins (if using), water, and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pan. Stir until well combined.
4. 4Increase the heat to high to bring the beef mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes.
5. 5Uncover and let simmer for another 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove the bay leaves and transfer the beef mixture to a bowl. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
6. 6Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef filling in the middle of each empanada wrapper.
7. 7Brush water around half of the outer edge of each wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
8. 8Using a fork, crimp the edges. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and filling.
9. 9Beat 4 eggs and 4 tablespoons of water together in a bowl to form an egg wash. Brush each empanada with the egg wash and then spray with cooking spray.
10. 10Place the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the empanadas over and continue cooking until light golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining empanadas.