Frozen·beginner

Cuban Empanadas (Empanadillas)

Name: Cuban Empanadas (Empanadillas) (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 8 empanadas
Ingredients: 2 cups [For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs)] all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon [For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs)] salt; 4 tablespoons [For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs)] cold lard or butter, cubed; 1 [For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs)] large egg; 1/4 cup [For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs)] cold water; 1/2 lb [For the filling (Picadillo)] ground beef; 1/4 cup [For the filling (Picadillo)] sofrito (or finely diced onion, pepper, and garlic sauteed in olive oil); 2 tablespoons [For the filling (Picadillo)] tomato sauce; 1 tablespoon [For the filling (Picadillo)] green olives, chopped; 1 tablespoon [For the filling (Picadillo)] raisins; 1/2 teaspoon [For the filling (Picadillo)] cumin; 1/4 teaspoon [For the filling (Picadillo)] oregano; [For the filling (Picadillo)] Salt and pepper to taste

Yield

Prep

Total

8 empanadas

13m

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Argentine Colombian Cuban See all on food page →

Raisins in the beef filling are a Cuban empanada (empanadilla) signature. Don't knock it 'til you try it – the sweetness balances the savory spices perfectly. Here, you'll find the full recipe and air fryer instructions for these unique savory pastries.

Ingredients

For the dough (or use store-bought empanada discs):

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold lard or butter, cubed
1 large egg
1/4 cup cold water

For the filling (Picadillo):

1/2 lb ground beef
1/4 cup sofrito (or finely diced onion, pepper, and garlic sauteed in olive oil)
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
1 tablespoon green olives, chopped
1 tablespoon raisins
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

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Season it upThis variation is self-seasoned

Steps

01**Dough:** Same method as the Argentine dough but with lard for a flakier result. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
02**Filling:** Brown the beef with the sofrito. Add tomato sauce, olives, raisins, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool completely.
03Roll dough, cut circles, fill, fold, and crimp.
04Ready for the air fryer.

The raisins are the signature of Cuban picadillo. They add unexpected pops of sweetness that balance the savory spiced meat. If you think you won't like raisins in your empanada, you're wrong. Try it once. The sweet-savory-briny combination of raisins, olives, and spiced beef is what makes picadillo one of the great ground beef preparations.

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