www.whensaltyandsweetunite.com

Fig Empanadas Recipe

If you love Fig Newtons, then you will definitely enjoy the sweet fig taste in an empanada. Fresh Fig Empanadas with Goat Cheese Walnut Filling are both delicious and an impressive appetizer. The pastry dough is filled with fresh figs that are simmered in spices and combined with the delicious flavor of the tangy goat cheese. The walnut gives the fig empanadas a nice added crunch and texture.

Arrow

Here's what you need:

– Fresh figs. – Water. – Honey.  – Sea salt. – Walnuts.  – Goat cheese.  – Pie crust.  – Eggs. – Butter.  – Spices such as ground cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and allspice.

Start with preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. For preparing the figs: in a small saucepan over medium high heat, add the chopped figs, water, salt and honey. Bring it to a boil and then turn down the heat to low. Stir in the spices and let the figs simmer on low heat until cooked down, about 20-25 minutes. Figs will burst open and the sauce will thicken when it is done.

Step 1 

Step 2 

Remove from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes and stir in 1/2 cup of the walnuts.

Step 3

For the empanada dough: Grease the sheet pans with the butter. Carefully remove the dough from the package (if using store-bought) and unroll it onto a floured work surface. Using the cookie cutter, cut out 8 circles dough circles. (16 equal portions total)

Step 4 

Add about 1/2 teaspoon of the fig mixture and 1/2 teaspoon of the goat cheese to the middle of the circle.

Step 5

Fold the circles of dough over to a half-moon shape. Seal the edges of the dough gently with the prongs of a fork.  Place them on the prepared baking sheets. Brush egg wash over the empanadas. Bake in the oven 10-11 minutes or until golden brown

Step 6

Remove from the oven when done and let them cool for about 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack or serving. Serve with the remaining fig reduction along with the remaining walnuts. Drizzle with additional honey if desired.

Helpful tips when making Empanadas: 

Arrow

Use a biscuit cutter that is 3 1/4 inches to make dough circles. You can take dough scraps and roll them out more with a rolling pin to make additional hand pies. Seal the empanadas gently. Always work on a lightly floured surface.

Check out more yummy recipes!

Arrow
Arrow

Baked Spinach Feta Empanadas with Ground Chicken 

Spiced Apple Empanadas

Meet the creator: Kristina is always on the pursuit of life, brunch and balance.  She loves to share her health journey, recipes and passion for the kitchen. Subscribe to her blog for weekly dinner ideas and to see what's cooking next!