Easy Baked Apple Empanadas

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Granny smith apples. Peeled and sliced.
• Unsalted butter.
• White sugar.
• Brown sugar. I like to use light brown. 
• Ground cinnamon.
• Ground cardamom.
• Ground cloves.
• Ground nutmeg.
• All purpose flour. This is for thickening the juices.
• Pie dough. Either store bought or homemade pie crust will work for this recipe. You will need 2- top and bottom. 
• Egg. This is for an egg wash that you will use right before the empanadas go into the oven.

How to make Apple Empanadas

Step One: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 

Step Two: Starting with apple filling: peel and slice apples. Place into a large bowl and sprinkle with both sugars and the spices. Mix to combine. In a large skillet over medium/low heat, melt the butter and add in the apples. Saute the apples for about 10 minutes or until the juices start to extract.

Step Three: Add in the flour and continue to cook for about another 5 minutes, stirring gently. When apples are soft and tender, remove from the heat and set aside.

Step Four:  Add the egg to a small bowl with a dash of water and whisk to combine.

Step Five: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie dough. Using a large biscuit cutter (3 1/4 inch)- cut 10 circles. Take each individual circle and expand it a bit more with the roller. (use more flour if needed on the surface and the roller.)

Step Six: Scoop about a tablespoon of the apple pie filling and place it in the middle of the circle. Fold the circle over and crimp the edges of the empanada with a fork to seal it. 

Step Seven: Place all the empanadas on the parchment-lined baking sheet and brush egg wash over the tops. Put in the oven for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown. Let the empanadas cool for a few minutes before eating. 

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftover empanadas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until warm. Or warm them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Helpful tips for Apple Empanadas 

• A biscuit cutter that is 3 1/4 inches is best for the pastry rounds. 
• You can use homemade empanada dough or a store bought pie crust.  
• Always use flour on your work surface.

A trick I have is to have 2 large sheet pans ready. Have one with parchment paper and some flour on it for the assembled empanadas (as you make them) and one greased (ready for baking in the oven).The reason is that you don’t want the dough to get soggy from sitting on the grease too long.  Once you got all the empanadas to the greased baking sheet, that is when you will brush them with the egg wash.

• The apple pie filling for empanadas can be made ahead of time. 
• You can use sliced apples or diced apples.
• Egg mixture will help give the empanadas a golden brown color. 
• Tart granny smith apples are the best!

Serving Suggestions

• Apple empanadas are best served warm . 
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. 
• They’re perfect for the fall season or any time you crave a cozy dessert. 
• For a more sweeter touch, add a sprinkle of turbinado sugar over the top before baking.
• This apple empanada filling will also taste great in a puff pastry.
• Pair with tapas favorites like Bison Meatballs, Garlic Steak Bites, Chicken and Seafood Paella and wash it down with my White Sangria Mocktail or my Stone Fruit Sangria.

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