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Empanadas Unwrapped
Discover Argentina’s Delicious Culinary Treasure
Imagine holding a warm, golden pastry, perfectly fitting in your hand, filled with a delicious burst of flavour. This delightful scene introduces you to Argentina's culinary gem, the Empanada. At Casa Argentina, we're passionate about bringing this authentic experience straight to your table in the UK, crafted with love, care, and our specially selected flour.
What Exactly is an Empanada?
[EM PAN ADA] – im-bread-ed
An empanada, literally meaning "wrapped in bread" from the Spanish verb "empanar", is a pastry turnover that can be sweet or savoury, baked or fried, crispy or soft.
Much like the British pasty, yet arguably more flavourful and versatile, empanadas are celebrated worldwide for their adaptability. Perfect as a starter, snack, main meal, or even dessert, these delightful pockets of golden goodness enhance any gathering, from casual street food markets to elegant party buffets.
Where Empanadas came from?
A Taste Through History. Empanadas trace their roots back to medieval Galicia in northwest Spain, where historical sculptures in Santiago de Compostela reveal locals enjoying this portable delicacy as far back as the twelfth century. Influenced by Middle Eastern pastries such as "sambousek" introduced during Moorish conquests, empanadas journeyed with Spanish and Portuguese explorers across Latin America. Here, they flourished and evolved, giving birth to countless regional variations adored today.
In Argentina, empanadas became deeply ingrained in regional traditions. Each province has its own unique recipe, from "Tucumán’s juicy beef empanadas" to "Salta’s spicy empanadas". Today, they remain a cherished part of Argentine culture, celebrated annually at the "National Empanada Festival in Tucumán".
Empanadas in the UK: A Rising Star
Empanadas have become an exciting trend in the UK's vibrant street-food scene and markets, increasingly compared favourably to traditional British pastries for their exotic flair and versatile fillings. Casa Argentina is proudly leading this culinary wave, passionately educating food lovers about authentic empanadas, sharing the Argentinian spirit through taste, tradition, and quality.
Empanadas, The Ultimate Versatile Dish
Empanadas are one of the most versatile foods in the world. They can be enjoyed as a starter, a light lunch, a main course, a quick snack, or even as a dessert.
Their adaptability makes them a staple in Argentinian cuisine and beyond. Whether served at an elegant dinner, enjoyed on the go from a food truck, or packed as a quick meal for a busy day, empanadas fit any occasion.
Empanadas, yet to discover its potential
In countries where Spanish is the native language, you will find empanadas everywhere, restaurants, bakeries, street food stands, and in people’s homes. This simple and versatile baked pastry turnover, with its infinite variety of fillings and its unique ability to add style to any meal from ultra-elegant to everyday, is a natural for today’s harassed home-makers, man and women, young and old, Argentine or otherwise, no matter where they happen to reside.
Empanadas
A Dish with Endless Possibilities for filling and cooking
Empanadas are culinary canvases open to endless creativity.
Starter: Small empanadas served with a dipping sauce make the perfect appetiser.
Main Course: A full plate of empanadas paired with a salad creates a complete meal.
Snack: Ideal for a quick bite during the day.
Dessert: Filled with dulce de leche, chocolate, or fruit add a delightful touch to any meal.
Staple Food: In Argentina and many Latin American countries, empanadas are a daily part of life.
Street Food: Found at food stalls, markets, and food trucks worldwide, empanadas are a go-to meal for those on the move.
Fast Lunch: An easy grab-and-go meal for busy professionals and students.
Savoury favourites include Beef, Chicken, Ham & Cheese, Caprese, Spinach, Humita, Cheese & Onion, Chorizo & Provolone or BBQ Pulled Pork. Sweet delights range from Apple & Cinnamon, Nutella & Banana, to Argentina’s iconic Dulce de Leche.
How Can You Cook Your Empanadas?
Empanadas offer multiple cooking methods, depending on your taste and preference:
Baked Achieves a crispy, golden crust with an even texture.
Deep Fried Creates a crunchy, rich texture with a delicious golden-brown exterior.
Grilled Adds a smoky flavour, perfect for BBQ lovers.
Air Fried A healthier alternative with a crisp finish using little to no oil.
Plow Disc Cooking Traditional Argentinian method using an iron disc over an open fire.
Pizza Oven High-heat baking for extra crispiness and faster cooking time.
Boiled Less common but used in some traditional recipes to create a softer texture.
Can I Cook Empanadas in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Cooking empanadas in an "air fryer" is one of the best ways to achieve a crispy, golden finish with minimal effort and without the need for excessive oil.
How to Cook Empanadas in an Air Fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 180ºC, this helps ensure even cooking.
Place the frozen empanadas in the basket, leaving space between each one.
Cook at 180ºC for 8 minutes for a perfectly golden and crispy empanada.
No need to flip, but check halfway through for optimal crispiness.
Allow your empanadas to cool slightly before serving.
Advantages of Cooking in an Air Fryer
🔥 Healthier Alternative uses no oil, making it a lower-fat option than deep-frying.
⏳ Faster Cooking time. No need to wait for an oven to preheat; just pop them in and cook.
🧼 Less Mess. No oil splatter or greasy pans to clean up.
👌 Perfect Texture. Crispier than baking but lighter than frying.
The Secret Behind the Perfect Empanada Pastry
The secret to an unforgettable empanada is in the "dough".
The perfect empanada pastry is soft, elastic, and light yet sturdy enough to hold a rich filling without breaking. Achieving this delicate balance is an art that requires the right ingredients and expertise.
At Casa Argentina, we import authentic Argentinian empanada discs (tapas para empanadas), using a personalised recipe, tested by thousands of customers over the past 8 years, from Restaurateurs, Caterers, Celebrity Chefs and most importantly our customers, ensuring that our empanadas have the perfect dough consistency. Our Empanadas Discs are Suitable for Vegans, making the first brand in EU and UK to offer this option.
Our premium Tapera flour provides just the right elasticity, making our empanadas light, flaky, and irresistibly crisp when baked or fried.
Empanada Dough Variations
Empanadas are not just limited to wheat-based dough. They can also be made using alternative flours, making them suitable for various dietary needs:
Wheat Empanadas – The most common type, using soft and elastic dough.
Corn Empanadas – Common in Colombia and Venezuela, perfect for gluten-free diets.
Manioc Empanadas – A delicious variation made with cassava flour.
Rice Flour Empanadas – A great gluten-free alternative with a slightly chewy texture.
They can also be adapted for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this delicious treat.
The Art of the Repulgue (Crimping)
One of the most unique and traditional aspects of Argentinian empanadas is the “repulgue” (crimping). This is the delicate, hand-sealed edge of the empanada, which serves both an aesthetic and practical function.
Why is Repulgue Important?
Seals the empanada, Ensures that the delicious fillings stay inside during baking or frying.
Prevents leaks, A properly crimped edge keeps juices locked in for a flavourful bite.
Identifies flavours, Different repulgue styles are used to distinguish between fillings, a common practice in Argentinian households and bakeries.
Types of Repulgue Styles
Classic Rope Twist, The most common crimp, creating a decorative braided edge.
Fork Pressed, A simple yet effective method using a fork to press down the edges, often used for cheese-filled empanadas.
Pinched Edges, A series of small pinches, common for spicy empanadas.
Flat Sealed Edge, A completely closed edge without a decorative fold, usually for dessert empanadas.
Secrets to a Perfect Repulgue
Use slightly moistened dough, A small amount of water or egg wash helps the edges seal properly.
Press firmly, but not too hard, Over-sealing can make the edge too thick and chewy.
Practice makes perfect!, The more you do it, the better your crimping skills will become.
Argentinians take pride in their repulgues, and each family has its own preferred technique. At Casa Argentina, we honour this tradition, ensuring that every empanada has the perfect seal for maximum flavour and authenticity.
How Are Empanadas Made?
Here the basics of the full process to make Empanadas:
Let’s explore the traditional process behind these delightful treats, a process we honour at Casa Argentina by using time-tested techniques and the finest ingredients.
Lets talk about the Dough
Empanada dough is usually made with flour, water, and a fat component, often butter or lard. Some recipes incorporate corn flour for a gluten-free alternative. The goal is to achieve a dough that is both pliable and sturdy enough to hold the rich filling without tearing.
Creating the Filling
The soul of any empanada lies in its filling. Whether using beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetables, the ingredients are mixed with care and seasoned with herbs and our carefully selected Argentinian spices to evoke true Argentine flavour. Ensure that any raw ingredients are cooked before assembling.
Assemble, repulgue “crimpling”
Roll out the dough into small circles, place a generous spoonful of filling in the centre, and fold the dough over. Crimp the edges securely to lock in all that deliciousness.
Empanadas by the Numbers
Empanadas are declared a "Cultural Heritage of Food and Gastronomy" by the Argentine Ministry of Culture.
Argentina celebrates empanadas annually with the famous National Empanada Festival in Tucumán.
Globally, empanadas are among the fastest-growing street food trends, increasingly featured in top food markets across Europe, UK the USA, and beyond.
Celebrating Empanadas with Casa Argentina
Empanadas aren’t just delicious pastries; they embody a rich cultural heritage, a connection to history, and an invitation to culinary exploration. At Casa Argentina, we're committed to bringing you authentic Argentinian empanadas made from fresh ingredients, crafted with passion and tradition.
Why Casa Argentina is the UK’s #1 Choice for Empanadas
Casa Argentina is the only importer of authentic Argentinian empanada discs (tapas para empanadas), making us the only truly authentic Argentinian empanada supplier in the UK.
Our customers consistently rate us as "the best empanada supplier in UK", scoring us:
Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) – Authentic, handcrafted empanadas
Nationwide Availability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) – Delivers across the UK
Customer Trust & Reviews: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) – Strong reputation
Convenience & Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) – Click & Collect + Frozen & Ready-to-Eat
Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) – High-quality products at competitive prices
Order Now & Enjoy Authentic Empanadas!
✅ Free next-day UK delivery on orders over £75
✅ Authentic Argentinian empanada discs, exclusively available at Casa Argentina
✅ Click & Collect available in London
Ready to embark on a culinary journey? Order now and taste the difference!