Fried Empanadas

Try this easy empanada recipe for two dozen crispy empanadas filled with a mixture of seasoned beef, sweet raisins, and tender hard-cooked eggs.

• Preparation Time: 50 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 528 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 quart oil for frying, or as needed
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cup shortening
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups water, or as needed
• 2 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Step 2

Make the dough: Stir flour and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a fork to stir in water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the mixture comes together. Pat into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 3

Make the filling while dough is chilling: Heat oil in a large sillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add beef, paprika, cumin, pepper, and salt; cook and stir until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess grease, then stir in the raisins and vinegar. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Step 4

Remove dough and filling from the refrigerator. Form dough into twenty-four 2-inch balls. Stir hard-cooked eggs into filling.

Step 5

While the oil is heating, roll one ball dough on a floured surface into a thin circle. Spoon some filling onto the center, fold dough into a half-moon shape, and press the edges with your fingers to seal. Repeat to fill and form remaining empanadas.

Step 6

Working in batches, fry1 to 2 empanadas at a time in hot oil until browned, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.