5 Ingredient Empanada Dough
Today we’re making homemade empanada dough that can be used to make pastelillos, empanadas, and so much more! It’s made with just 5 ingredients (flour, butter, salt, egg, and water) and comes together in less than an hour.
Prep: 15min
Total: 45min
Yield: 16
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup butter (unsalted), melted
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup water
Instruction:
- Mix the flour with the salt in a large bowl to combine.
- Add the melted butter, egg yolks, and water to the flour mixture.
- Mix together until a dough begins to form. Transfer to a flour dusted surface and continue to knead until a consistent ball of dough forms. If the dough feels too wet, add flour a one tablespoon at a time until it no longer sticks to your hands.
- Cover the dough with a towel and let chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into quarters, then into eighths, then sixteenths, then into 32 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. On a flour dusted surface roll each ball into a round circle using a rolling pin.
- From here, you’re ready to fill your empanada dough with whatever you like. Make sure to not overfill your empanada dough and crimp the dough shut using a fork. You can pan fry, deep fry, or bake them (just make sure to use an egg wash to get that golden brown color). See post details for more ideas on how to fill, fry or bake!
Homemade EMPANADA DOUGH | How to make Empanada Dough | Easy Empanada Dough Recipe
FAQ
What kind of dough do you use for empanadas?
As mentioned above many people will use their favorite pre-made pie dough to make empanadas. This is because the ingredients for most dough recipes are very similar. Most pie doughs use flour, butter, salt, water, and sometimes egg; an ingredient list almost identical to those needed for this recipe!
Is empanada dough the same as pastry dough?
Empanada dough is less flaky than pie crust (although you can substitute frozen pie crust dough in a pinch). It has a more tender texture that soaks up the filling without becoming soggy. This dough can be used for baked or fried empanadas, which are both great handheld dishes.
How to make an empanada crust?
Whisk 2 cups flour, sugar, and salt together in a bowl until well blended. Make a well in the center. Whisk water and egg yolk together in a small bowl until smooth; pour into the well and mix to form a stiff dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
Is it better to fry or bake empanadas?
Both cooking methods produce delicious empanadas. If you want a healthier merienda, bake them in the oven. If you’re working with less time, frying them is the way to go.
