12 delicious empanada recipes from around the world
Authentic Cauca-style empanadas featuring a savory filling of mashed potatoes and a rich, spiced peanut sauce, encased in a crispy corn masa shell. A beloved Colombian street food.
Delicate and sweet Colombian empanadas filled with creamy arequipe (dulce de leche), perfect as a dessert or sweet snack.
Pastel Mandi'o are savory Paraguayan empanadas made with a dough of cooked cassava (yuca) and cornmeal, filled with a flavorful mixture of shredded beef, hard-boiled eggs, and spices. These delightful snacks are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy.
A sweet and savory pastry, Empanadas de Chiverre are a beloved Costa Rican treat, especially popular during Lent and Easter. These turnovers are filled with a unique sweet filling made from chiverre (a type of squash) and panela (unrefined whole cane sugar), often spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
Bolivian baked empanadas filled with a savory, slightly sweet, and spicy chicken stew. The dough is rich and slightly sweet, while the filling is a gelatinous, flavorful mixture that makes salteñas a beloved snack and breakfast item.
Crispy, golden-fried empanadas filled with a savory shredded chicken and vegetable mixture. A beloved Venezuelan street food and appetizer.
Authentic Venezuelan empanadas, featuring a crispy fried corn dough shell filled with savory black beans and cheese. These are typically larger than their Colombian counterparts and are a beloved street food.
Crispy fried empanadas filled with a generous amount of melty white Venezuelan cheese. A beloved breakfast and snack.
Traditional Venezuelan empanadas filled with a flavorful shredded shark (cazón) and vegetable mixture, encased in a crispy corn dough. A beloved coastal specialty, particularly from Margarita Island.
Crispy, golden-fried corn masa pockets filled with a savory ground beef and vegetable mixture. A beloved Venezuelan street food classic.
The quintessential Chilean empanada, filled with a savory mixture of ground beef (pino), onions, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and raisins, all baked in a golden pastry crust. A beloved street food and party favorite.
A hearty and flavorful Galician tuna pie, traditionally made for festivals and feasts. This large, savory pie is filled with tender tuna, sweet peppers, and onions, all encased in a golden, flaky pastry.
