Empanadas de Viento
Light and airy fried empanadas filled with a sweet cheese mixture, 'Empanadas de Viento' (wind empanadas) are a popular Ecuadorian snack or dessert, often dusted with sugar.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Butter(cold, cut into cubes)
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 1/2 cup Milk(or as needed)
- 200 g White cheese (queso fresco or similar)(crumbled)
- 1/4 cup Sugar(for filling, plus more for dusting)
- for frying Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and milk. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Add more milk if needed, but be careful not to make the dough too sticky.
- 3
Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface for a minute or two. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- 4
In a separate bowl, combine the crumbled cheese and 1/4 cup sugar for the filling.
- 5
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a thin circle (about 5-6 inches in diameter).
- 6
Place a tablespoon of the cheese filling on one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges firmly to seal, or use a fork.
- 7
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
- 8
Carefully fry the empanadas in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed up. They should puff significantly, hence the name 'de Viento'.
- 9
Remove empanadas with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. While still warm, generously dust with granulated sugar.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the butter is very cold when making the dough for a flakier crust.
- ✓Don't overwork the dough, as this can make the empanadas tough.
- ✓The oil temperature is crucial for proper frying; too low and they'll be greasy, too high and they'll burn before cooking through.
🔄 Variations
- For a savory version, omit the sugar in the filling and add finely chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley.
- Some add a pinch of cinnamon to the cheese filling for a hint of spice.