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Crispy Air Fryer Apple Empanadas with Cinnamon Glaze

Close-up of several golden-brown air fryer apple empanadas drizzled with white icing on a light plate.
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Make perfectly crispy apple empanadas using your air fryer. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a quick, comforting dessert that avoids deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced small
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 12 pre-made pie crust rounds (or puff pastry squares)
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • For the Glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes while you prepare the dough.
  2. Assemble the empanadas: Lay out the pie crust rounds on a clean surface. Place about 1 tablespoon of the apple filling onto the center of each round. Do not overfill.
  3. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal. This sealing is important to keep the filling inside during air frying.
  4. Brush the tops of each sealed empanada lightly with the beaten egg wash. This helps them brown nicely.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  6. Arrange the empanadas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary. To prevent the light pastry from blowing around, you can secure the tops with a small toothpick inserted through both layers, or place a small, air-fryer-safe wire rack gently on top of them if they are lifting significantly.
  7. Lightly spray the tops of the empanadas with cooking spray.
  8. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy.
  9. While the empanadas cook, prepare the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk, a drop at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
  10. Remove the cooked empanadas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Drizzle the cinnamon glaze over the warm pastries before serving.

Notes

  • For the best texture, use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Softer apples may turn too mushy.
  • If you use puff pastry, you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly, checking at 8 minutes.
  • You can make these ahead of time and freeze them unbaked. Place frozen empanadas directly into the air fryer, adding 3-5 minutes to the total cook time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/air-fryer-apple-empanadas-recipe/