Air-Fried Apple Empanadas Recipe: Crispy Homemade Dessert

Apple empanadas are a delightful Latin American dessert: small hand pies filled with spiced, chopped apples and air fried to reduce fat. Serve warm with caramel sauce for dipping.

Welcome to our monthly Progressive Eats feature — this month’s theme is Tapas. Tapas, Spain’s beloved tradition of small plates, are celebrated annually on the third Thursday in June as World Tapas Day. Tapas-style dining lets you enjoy many small dishes, and these apple empanadas make a sweet ending to a tapas spread.

Empanadas are popular across Latin America and can be made savory or sweet. Traditionally fried, these apple empanadas are prepared in an air fryer to make them lighter while still offering a crisp, golden crust.

Ingredients for Air Fried Apple Empanadas

You can use store-bought empanada discs if available or make your own dough. If pre-made empanada dough isn’t accessible, pie dough or puff pastry will work as substitutes—pie dough will be slightly flakier but may absorb more filling moisture.

Choose a firm baking apple such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. The apples are diced and sautéed briefly in butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a tender, spiced filling.

How to Assemble the Empanadas

Assembling empanadas is similar to making other hand pies. Roll the dough discs to about 4.5 to 5 inches in diameter. Place roughly two tablespoons of cooled or warm filling in the center of each disc. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal—use the tines of a fork for a decorative and secure seal.

Brush the tops with egg wash for a glossy finish and cut small slits to let steam escape during cooking. Arrange the empanadas in a single layer in your air fryer basket; cooking in batches prevents them from sticking and ensures even crisping.

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FAQs

Because air fryer baskets vary in size, cook the empanadas in batches and avoid stacking. Stacking will prevent even cooking and can cause them to stick together.

These empanadas are best served warm or at room temperature with caramel sauce for dipping. They make a crowd-pleasing dessert for tapas nights, parties, or casual gatherings.

Air Fried Apple Empanadas

Yield:
12 empanadas

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

Small hand pies filled with spiced apples and air fried for a lighter, crisp finish. Serve with caramel sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 apples (firm baking variety such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), diced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 12 empanada dough discs, about 4 inches in diameter (see Notes)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Place the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Work with two discs at a time, keeping the others covered with a damp paper towel. Roll each disc slightly larger and place about two tablespoons of apple filling in the center.
3. Fold each disc in half and press the edges closed with the tines of a fork.
4. Whisk the egg with the water and brush a light coating onto each empanada. Cut a few slits in the top for steam to escape.
5. Mist the air fryer basket with nonstick spray and arrange empanadas in a single layer.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and repeat with remaining empanadas.
7. Serve warm with caramel sauce for dipping.

Notes

Some stores sell frozen empanada dough discs. You can also substitute pie dough or puff pastry if necessary. If making filling ahead, cool and refrigerate in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1 empanada

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 185
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 21mg
Sodium: 134mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 8g
Protein: 2g

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.