🥟 Easy Homemade Empanada Dough
Ingredients
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 14 tbsp cold unsalted butter (or lard), cubed
• ½ tsp salt
• ½–¾ cup warm water or milk
• 1 egg, room temp & whisked
Optional Egg Wash (for baking)
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp water
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Instructions
1. Mix dry: Cut butter into flour until crumbly. Stir in salt.
2. Add wet: Add egg + ½ cup water. Mix until clumpy.
3. Knead: Form into a ball and knead ~5 minutes (add more liquid if dry).
4. Chill: Wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes–2 hours.
5. Portion: Cut into 22–25 pieces (1.5 oz each).
6. Roll: Roll into 5–6 inch circles (rolling pin or tortilla press).
✨ Perfect for frying or baking empanadas. Flaky, golden, and flexible dough!
Empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish enjoyed around the world, especially in Hispanic cuisine. The dough is a crucial element to achieving the perfect texture—flaky yet sturdy enough to hold a variety of fillings. This homemade empanada dough recipe uses common pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, cold butter (or lard), salt, egg, and warm water or milk to create a tender, golden crust. Cold butter is key to producing a flaky dough. When cut into the flour until crumbly, little pockets of butter remain intact, which melt during cooking and create layers in the crust. You can substitute lard for butter if seeking a richer flavor reminiscent of traditional empanadas. The dough should be kneaded just enough to come together—about five minutes—to develop gluten slightly for strength, but avoid overworking which could make it tough. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps to relax the gluten and firm up the fat, making it easier to roll out and preventing shrinking during cooking. Portioning the dough into 22–25 small balls yields empanadas about 5–6 inches in diameter, ideal for handheld servings. Use either a rolling pin or tortilla press for evenly thin circles. For baking, an optional egg wash (beaten egg mixed with water) adds a beautiful golden color and slight sheen to the crust. This dough is perfectly suited for frying or baking, producing flexible wrappers that crisp to a golden brown exterior with a flaky interior. Whether you prefer classic beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetable fillings, this easy dough recipe will elevate your empanadas to restaurant-quality at home. Try making a batch to freeze dough balls for quick meals later. Simply thaw and roll out when ready to cook. Homemade empanadas are great for family gatherings, parties, or a satisfying snack. Explore variations by adding spices or herbs to the dough for extra flavor or experimenting with different fats like vegetable shortening for texture differences. Regardless, this base recipe provides a reliable starting point for delicious, authentic homemade empanadas every time.
