Empanada Dough Recipe

This Empanada Dough Recipe will help you make real homemade empanadas that taste like they came straight from a Latin bakery. They are golden, flaky, and perfectly soft inside. It’s buttery but light, strong enough to hold your favorite fillings, and soft enough to melt in your mouth with every bite. It all starts with the perfect dough, whether you want savory beef, cheesy chicken, or sweet fruit empanadas.

Empanadas have a long history in Latin America, Spain, and the Philippines, and each place gives them its own flavor. Every kind of empanada starts with a dough that is both rich and flexible. For example, Argentina has spicy beef empanadas, Chile has golden baked empanadas, and the Caribbean has fried street food. This recipe makes it easy to get that same traditional texture at home. It’s great for both baking and frying.

The best thing about this dough is how simple it is. A few things from the pantry, some butter, and a little bit of time make magic. Your kitchen will smell like comfort and tradition once you’ve rolled, filled, and sealed them. For the best taste, serve them with a dip of Green Chutney Recipe or a side of Pollo Loco Recipe. This will make for a bold, flavorful meal that feels like a party on a plate.

Step by Step Guide – Empanada Dough Recipe

Step 1: Preparing Ingredients

Lay out everything you need flour, butter, salt, an egg, and a bit of cold water. This mise en place keeps the process smooth and stress-free. Cold butter is key for flaky dough.

Step 2: Cutting Butter into Flour

Work the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until you get a crumbly texture think coarse sand with little butter pebbles. This step builds the flakiness!

Step 3: Adding Water and Egg

Add the egg and pour in cold water little by little. Mix gently until the dough starts coming together not too sticky, not too dry.

Step 4: Kneading the Dough

Now it’s time to bring the dough to life. Knead it gently for 2–3 minutes just until smooth. Don’t overwork it, or your empanadas will be tough.

Step 5: Resting the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. This helps relax the gluten and makes rolling easier later on.

Step 6: Rolling Out the Dough

After chilling, roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ⅛ inch thick. Smooth, even pressure is your friend here.

Step 7: Cutting Circles

Use a round cutter (about 4–5 inches) to make your dough circles. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut again until you’ve used it all.

Step 8: Preparing the Filling (Optional Visual)

Get your favorite filling ready beef, chicken, or veggies. Spoon it into bowls so you’re ready for assembly.

Step 9: Sealing the Empanadas

Spoon filling into each dough circle, fold over, and press the edges with a fork to seal. The classic crimp keeps everything inside while baking.

Step 10: Baked Golden Empanadas

Bake until golden brown and beautifully crisp. The smell alone will make everyone come running warm, flaky perfection straight from the oven.

Empanada Dough Recipe

This Empanada Dough Recipe makes soft, flaky, and golden pastry that’s easy to shape, fill, and bake or fry. Made with simple ingredients and a touch of butter, it’s the perfect base for any savory or sweet empanada. You can prepare it ahead, store it, and fill it with your favorite meats, vegetables, or fruits for a delicious homemade treat.

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Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Latin American, spanish

Servings 4

Calories 260 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large mixing bowl to combine ingredients
• 1 Whisk For mixing wet ingredients
• 1 rolling pin to roll out the dough evenly
• 1 pastry cutter or round mold to shape empanadas
• Plastic wrap for resting the dough

Ingredients

  

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup cold water plus 1 tablespoon if needed
• 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice optional, for tenderness

Instructions

 

• Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Stir to blend evenly.
• Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and work them into the flour with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
• Add wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cold water, and vinegar. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture.
• Form the dough: Mix with a fork or your hands until the dough just comes together. Add a little more water if it feels too dry.
• Rest the dough: Shape into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to relax the gluten and make it easier to roll.
• Roll and cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ⅛ inch thick. Use a 4–5 inch round cutter or bowl to make circles.
• Fill and seal: Add your favorite filling to the center of each round, fold in half, and crimp the edges with a fork.
• Bake or fry:

  To bake: Brush with egg wash and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes until golden.

  To fry: Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) and fry for 3–4 minutes on each side until crisp and golden.
• Serve: Enjoy hot with the Green Chutney Recipe for a zesty dip or a side of Pollo Loco Recipe for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• For extra flakiness, keep the butter cold at all times and don’t overwork the dough.
• You can freeze unbaked empanadas for up to 3 months and bake directly from frozen.
• Add 1 teaspoon of paprika or chili powder to the dough for a hint of color and spice.
• Try using whole-wheat flour for a slightly denser, rustic texture.
• Serve your empanadas warm with the Coconut Mojito Recipe for a tropical twist.

Keyword easy empanada dough, empanada crust recipe, empanada dough recipe, homemade empanada pastry

Share Your Twist on This Empanada Dough Recipe!

Did you make your Empanada Dough Recipe with a buttery twist, or maybe added paprika for color and warmth?
Perhaps you filled them with spicy beef, sweet apple cinnamon, or gooey melted cheese. We’d love to see how you made this flaky, golden dough your own.

📸 Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram or Facebook with #OoohDelishTwist your version might inspire someone’s next homemade empanada night.

💌 Have a creative twist that made your dough extra special? Send it to contact@ooohdelish.com we might feature your creation in our next Oooh Delish Latin Comfort Collection!

FAQs: Empanada Dough Recipe