- April 25, 2020
Pizza empanadas might be the easiest type of empanadas to make! Only 4 ingredients are needed to make these ooey, gooey treats.
This post may contain affiliate links.
182 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
In Puerto Rico, empanadillas are what most other Latin cultures call empanadas. Pizza empanadas might be the easiest type of empanadas to make! Only 4 ingredients are needed to make these ooey, gooey treats.
Whenever I visit Puerto Rico, I make sure to eat all kinds of empanadas…or I should say empanadillas. Puerto Ricans call these pockets of happiness empanadillas, because empanadas refer to a completely different dish. The most unique empanadas I’ve had are pizza empanadas.I’ve never seen them outside of Puerto Rico, but that’s ok, because these might be the easiest type of empanadas to make! You only need four 4 ingredients to make these ooey, gooey treats, and I’m absolutely certain they’ll quickly become a family fave. Every time I make these pizza empanadas, I’m taken straight back to the island.
Is empanada dough the same as pizza dough?
Empanada dough is a simple non-yeasted dough made with flour, water, shortening and salt. It’s much more similar to pie dough than pizza dough. We’ve included a recipe for homemade empanada dough (for frying) at the bottom of this post.
Are empanadas like calzones?
In many ways, yes! Many cultures have some sort of recipe that involves a filling surrounded with dough. In Puerto Rico, we’re big fans of crunchy fried food stuffed with delicious things, like rellenos de papa. But empanadas feature a pastry dough that’s similar to pie dough, while calzones feature a yeasted dough, similar to pizza dough.
Can you bake empanadas instead of frying them?
Yes, if you use my homemade empanada dough, as it works for both fried and baked applications. However, if you use frozen empanada discs, make sure they’re labelled for baking. The traditional Goya brand of empanadas discs don’t work for baking.
What are some common fillings for empanadas?
There’s nothing you can’t put into an empanada, I think I’ve seen it all. The fillings in Puerto Rico vary from picadillo (ground beef) to cangrejo (crab) to chapin (local fish), but you can even fill them with sweet fillings, like guava paste and cheese, or banana and nutella.
How do you keep empanadas crispy?
The best way to keep empanadas crispy is to place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. If you’re frying multiple batches, throw the whole setup into a low oven to keep everything warm as you keep frying and adding to the rack.
Want more delish recipes? Check out our other empanada recipes!
- Chicken Empanadas
- Cheesesteak Empanadas
- Buffalo Chicken Empanadas
- Crab Empanadas
- Colombian Empanadas
- Cuban Sandwich Empanadas
5 from 1 vote
Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas De Pizza)
This Puerto Rican and Italian fusion snack will become a staple treat in your repertoire.
CourseAppetizer
CuisinePuerto Rican
Keywordair fryer empanadas, easy empanadas, empanadillas, pizza
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 10
Author Delish D’Lites
Ingredients
Homemade Empanada Dough
- 3cupsall-purpose flour
- 1teaspoonsalt
- 1/4cupshortening or unsalted butter
- 1cupice cold water
Pizza Empanadas
- 10empanada discsfrozen or homemade
- 1/3cupmarinara sauce
- 8ozpasteurized mozzarella cheesenot fresh mozzarella, it's too watery
- canola or vegetable oilfor frying
Instructions
To Make The Homemade Empanada Dough
In a food processor, add the flour and salt. Add the shortening or butter and pulse 1-15 times, until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
While pulsing, add about 3/4 cup of the water. Pulse 5-10 times, until the dough just comes together in a loose ball. Add remaining water a tablespoon at a time if all the flour has not been moistened.
Turn out onto a clean surface and gently knead into a smooth dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 days if not using immediately.
Divide dough into 10 pieces and roll each piece out to 1/8-inch thick. Cut into rounds using a cookie cutter or tracing a bowl with a knife. Discs can be filled immediately and cooked.
If not using immediately, stack on top of each other with a piece of parchment or wax paper between each disc. Place in a zip bag and refrigerate for 1 day or freeze. If using from frozen state, allow the discs to thaw at room temperature for about 10-20 minutes before using them in a recipe.
To Make The Pizza Empanadas
Preheat about 1 inch of oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Lay a slice of cheese onto the sauce (you can break the cheese into pieces if needed).
Seal both sides of the empanadas tightly by pressing down on the edges with a fork.
Fry the empanadas for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Drain the empanadas on a plate lined with paper towel sheets and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
182 Shares
Pizza Empanadas (Empanadillas De Pizza)
Share
What's for dinner?
Easy Weeknight Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Puerto Rican Pernil (Roast Pork Shoulder)
Copycat Recipe: Chipotle Corn Salsa
Pastelitos De Carne (Cuban Picadillo Filled Pastries)
back to index
Get email updates
Get new free recipes and exclusive content delivered right to your inbox.
6 Responses
yum!! my favorite brand that makes these is Kikuet!! I can never duplicate them however, it never comes out right for me. What brand marinara or pizza sauce do you use?Reply
I’m a big fan of Prego for this recipe, because it tends to be sweeter.
Reply
Hi Jannese, can you bake the empanadas instead of frying them? Thank you.
Reply
Hi Arlene,
Yes you can absolutely bake these; if you find empanada discs meant specifically for baking. Goya sells them, it will say so on the package. If you can’t find them, you can use prepared pie dough or make your own, and just use a cookie cutter or small bowl to cut into circles.
Reply
I’ve had pizza empanadas for $1 at the plaza in old San Juan! They only had ricotta cheese and tomato sauce, we ordered them every day. I will make your recipe but will also put pepperoni.
Reply
Sounds delicious!
Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
back to index
Previous RecipeTorta De Tres Leches (3 Milks Cake)
Next RecipeCreamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Hola
I’m Jannese, Founder of Delish D’lites
I’m a Puerto Rican girl living in paradise (Florida), and the creative mind behind Delish D’Lites. I love sharing my family recipes and travel inspired cuisine! My favorite things include collecting passport stamps, twerking to Latin music, and kissing puppies. Follow along on social.
