When you bite into the luscious, warm, cinnamon, sweet apple filling inside our flaky, golden brown empanada pastry crust, it warms your soul!
These delicious baked apple empanadas are the ultimate fusion of two beloved desserts—apple pie and the hand-held empanada, or hand pie. They are similar to the Taco Bell Apple Empanadas but better!
It is one of our favorite Mexican Dessert Recipes, and I predict it will become one of yours too!
I know, I know. You may think that Empanada Recipes are supposed to be savory, like my BBQ Beef Empanadas or Vegetarian Empanadas. However, these are Mexican Dessert Empanadas, or sweet empanadas, like my Cajeta Empanadas, Guava and Cheese Empanadas, and Pumpkin Empanadas.
Enjoy them as a midday pick-me-up, after-dinner sweet treat, or anytime you need a taste of pure bliss.
Whether you’re craving something sweet or want a delicious snack, our Apple Pie Empanadas are a perfect dessert to satisfy your craving.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: Even novice bakers can achieve delicious results with clear instructions and simple ingredients.
- Versatile: Enjoy these empanadas warm, at room temperature, or even slightly reheated.
- Perfect for sharing: These make a great appetizer or dessert for gatherings.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties, spices, and even add-ins like raisins or nuts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
For the ultimate apple empanada experience, gather these fresh and flavorful ingredients:
- For the empanada dough: all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, cold butter, egg, ice water, distilled white vinegar
- For the apple filling: large apples, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, salt, cornstarch, water
- Optional serving: cajeta or caramel sauce
How To Make Baked Apple Empanadas
Prepare the dough: 1) Combine dry ingredients, 2) cut in butter, 3) add wet ingredients, 4) knead, and chill.
Create the filling: Sauté apples with spices and sweeteners, thicken with cornstarch slurry, and cool.
Assemble the empanadas: 1) Roll out dough, 2) Cut the circles, 3) fill with apple mixture, 4) fold and seal.
Bake to perfection: Place empanadas on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Serve and enjoy: Indulge in warm empanadas, optionally drizzled with cajeta or caramel sauce.
Tips for Success
- Use cold ingredients for the dough to ensure flakiness.
- Don’t overwork the dough; it should be soft but not elastic.
- For extra flavor, consider using a combination of apple varieties.
- Experiment with different spices like cardamom or cloves.
- Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Equipment Needed:
- Rolling Pin
- 3-4″ cookie cutter
- Large Bowl
- Small Bowl
- Large Spoon
Nutrition Information
- A single serving of these delectable baked apple empanadas contains approximately 230 calories.
- For detailed nutritional information, please refer to the recipe card above.
What To Serve With Apple Empanadas
These baked apple empanadas are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Breakfast: Pair with a cup of coffee or tea for a satisfying start to your day.
- Snack: Enjoy as a portable and delicious treat on the go.
- Dessert: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent finish.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and fillings! Try these variations:
- Spiced caramel drizzle: Combine caramel sauce with a hint of cinnamon and sea salt to create a rich and indulgent topping.
- Cheese and apple: For a savory twist, sprinkle grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese on the apple filling.
- Cinnamon sugar topping: Sprinkle empanadas with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking for added crunch and sweetness.
More Apple Recipes
- Apple Dump Cake with Caramel Sauce
- Apple Pie Macarons
- Skillet Fried Apples
- Apple Pie Bread Pudding
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp
More Empanada Recipes
If you made this recipe and loved it, please share your experience by leaving a kind comment and a 5-star rating.
Recipe
Baked Apple Empanadas Recipe
Ingredients
Empanada Dough:
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- Cajeta or caramel sauce for serving optional
Apple Pie Filling:
- 2 large apples peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Make The Empanada Dough:
- In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt.
- Add the butter and using a pastry cutter or a fork cut the butter into the flour. It should resemble sand.
- Add the egg, water and vinegar and stir until combined.
- Knead in the bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. This dough will be very soft but it will not get elastic and you don’t want to overwork it.
- Wrap it well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make The Apple Pie Filling:
- Place the apples, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and salt in a pan.
- Cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes. The apples will release juice and should be nice and soft.
- Combine the water and cornstarch and stir into the apples. Cook for another minute, stirring continually until the apples thicken.
- Remove from the heat and cool until ready to use.
Make The Empanadas
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Roll out the dough.
- Cut out circle shapes of dough with a 3-4 inch cookie cutter
- Place a large spoon of the apple filling on half of the dough.
- Fold the dough over and press the seams closed. Use a fork and press around the edges well.
- Place the empanadas on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Serve with caramel or cajeta sauce.
Video
Notes
- Use cold ingredients for the dough to ensure flakiness.
- Don’t overwork the dough; it should be soft but not elastic.
- For extra flavor, consider using a combination of apple varieties.
- Experiment with different spices like cardamom or cloves.
- Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
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