Cheese Empanadas

These Cheese Empanadas are made with sweet potato and brie and are easy to make using pre-made shortcrust pastry sheets. They are full of flavour and spice, and a total crowd-pleaser!

Our Gran Luchito Chipotle Paste mixed with a bit of good quality clear honey can be your best friend while you’re cooking up that special meal for your family and add a bit of Mexican magic to the day. The Chipotle honey is used to caramelise a red pepper and onion mixture, and this flavoursome concoction is then mixed with the roasted mashed sweet potato and cheese.

Pastry circles are filled with this tasty mixture and a piece of brie is pushed into the filling and then sealed by pressing the edges. Once they are baked the cheese will melt inside, and combined with the delicious sweet potato and chipotle it’s a match made in heaven.

These tasty Cheese Empanadas can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the freezer, just place them on a tray that fits into your freezer cover it with cling film, and make sure they are thawed completely before adding a little coating of egg wash on the outside and baking them in the oven until golden.

Being so versatile, you can pair them as a side dish with anything from a Mexican Salad, Pulled Pork Burrito Bowl, or Mexican Chicken Soup. Alternatively, have them as a snack or starter to your main course. They are great while you wait for your Mexican Roast Chicken or Lamb Barbacoa!

Prep time

20MINS
Cook time

40MINS
Total time

60MINS
Ideal for

Party Food
Make it

Mexican
Serves

5

Nutrition: Per serving

kcal 298 fat 21g saturates 9.4g carbs 19.9g sugars 1.9g fibre 2.1g protein 7.9g salt 0.8g

This recipe uses

Chipotle Paste

Found in the
Mexican Section

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Filling:

1 large sweet potato
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 white onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red pepper, diced
1 tablespoon Gran Luchito Chipotle Paste
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to season)
1 tablespoon Gran Luchito Chipotle Paste

Empanadas:

43g / ⅓ cup plain flour, for dusting
2 packs of shortcrust pastry sheets
400g / 14 oz of brie, cut into small slices

Egg Wash:

1 egg
79ml / ⅓ cup of milk

How to make it

Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F.
Place your whole sweet potato (with skin) in a small baking dish and roast in the oven until soft, about 20 min.
In the meantime, heat up the oil in a frying pan, and add the butter, fry the onion and garlic gently until softened. Add the red pepper and fry for a minute or two, then drizzle over the honey and stir in the Chipotle Paste, let it bubble in the mixture briefly, season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat.
Remove your sweet potato from the oven and let it cool down, then peel off the skin with your hand and mash roughly. Add the mash to the red pepper-onion mixture. season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground coarse pepper, integrate everything with a spoon and reserve.
Add a bit of flour over your kitchen counter, place your pastry sheets over and stretch them slightly with a rolling pin. Then with a biscuit cutter (10cm / 4-inch diameter) or a pint glass, cut circles to make your empanadas, you can make them bite-sized or bigger to be served as a snack.
Place a spoonful of sweet potato and chipotle filling into the centre of your pastry circle with a piece of brie, brush the edges with the egg wash (egg and milk whisked together) seal your empanadas, press the edges together and then pinch them to form the nice braiding on the edge (see pictures for reference), or you can just finish the edges by marking them lightly with a fork.
Repeat the same process with the rest of the filling and pastry circles. Place your empanadas over a lined tray and brush with more egg wash, bake in the oven until golden 20-25 minutes approx. Enjoy!

What To Serve With Cheese Empanadas

Serve these cheese empanadas as a starter followed by enchiladas or fajitas. Or if it’s a drinks party, serve them alongside:

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FAQs

What are cheese empanadas?

Cheese empanadas are a delightful dish made with a flaky pastry crust filled with a savoury cheese mixture. They can be enjoyed as a snack, appetiser, or even as a main course.

What kind of cheese is used in cheese empanadas?

You can use a variety of cheeses in cheese empanadas. Popular options include cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, queso fresco, or a combination of different cheeses. The choice of cheese depends on your taste preferences.

Can cheese empanadas be frozen?

Absolutely! Cheese empanadas can be frozen for future enjoyment. After baking, allow them to cool, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw them in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warmed through.