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Discover the joy of making delicious Gluten Free Empanadas at home! These flaky, golden pastries are perfect for any occasion and packed with your favorite fillings. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a savory treat, these Gluten Free Empanadas are sure to impress.
Growing up, empanadas were a staple at family gatherings. The crispy crust and flavorful fillings always brought everyone together. When I transitioned to a gluten-free diet, I missed these delicious treats. After some experimentation, I perfected this Gluten Free Empanadas recipe, bringing back those cherished memories without compromising on taste or texture.
Get ready to cook up a batch of these irresistible Gluten Free Empanadas. Follow along as I guide you through each step to create the perfect gluten-free dough and fill it with your favorite ingredients.
What to Expect
- Time: Approximately 1 hour, including chilling time
- Difficulty: Moderate
Before You Begin
Before diving into making your Gluten Free Empanadas, ensure all your ingredients are measured and ready. Chill your wine, vinegar, and eggs mixture, and keep your butter and shortening cold. A well-prepared workspace will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio), chilled | ⅓ cup (2 ⅔ fluid ounces) |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2 teaspoons |
| Eggs, beaten | 2 (100 g weighed out of shell) |
| All-purpose gluten-free flour blend | 3 cups (420 g) |
| Xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it) | 1 ½ teaspoons |
| Kosher salt | 1 ½ teaspoons |
| Unsalted butter, roughly chopped or shredded and chilled | 6 tablespoons (84 g) |
| Nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening | 7 tablespoons (84 g) |
| Your favorite filling | – |
| Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked) | – |
Step-by-Step Guide
- In a small bowl or measuring cup with a pour spout, whisk together the wine, vinegar, and eggs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour blend, xanthan gum, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the chopped butter to the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Flatten the butter chunks into disks using your thumb and forefinger.
- Add the shortening and mix, pressing it into the dry ingredients with a spoon.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Squeeze the dough together into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Unwrap the chilled dough and divide it in half. Work with one half at a time.
- Press the dough into a flatter disk, sprinkle lightly with flour, and roll out into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Fold the dough like a business letter and roll it out again to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out 3-inch rounds, reroll the scraps, and roll each round thinner to about 4-inch diameter.
- Stack the rounds, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Fill the rounds with your favorite filling, shape the empanadas, and bake until golden brown.
Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
For the best results, ensure your dough is well-chilled before rolling it out. This helps maintain the flakiness of your Gluten Free Empanadas. If the dough becomes too soft, refrigerate it for a few minutes before continuing.
Store any leftover Gluten Free Empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them before baking for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Looking for a perfect side dish to pair with your empanadas? Try these Sweet Potato Hash Browns Best Side Dish for a delightful combination.
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Gluten Free Empanadas: Golden-Brown Pockets
- Total Time: 55
- Yield: 12 empanadas 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Gluten-Free Empanadas are flaky, savory golden brown pockets of deliciousness. The buttery gluten-free dough is sturdy enough to hold a rich, seasoned ground beef filling but tender enough to melt in your mouth. Finished with an egg wash for that bakery-style golden shine, they are the perfect hand-held meal.
Ingredients
— The Gluten-Free Dough —
3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (containing xanthan gum)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 large egg, cold
½ cup ice water (add gradually)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (helps dough elasticity)
— The Savory Filling —
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
— The ‘Golden’ Finish —
1 large egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough: In a food processor, pulse the gluten-free flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add the egg, vinegar, and small amounts of ice water while pulsing. Stop adding water as soon as the dough begins to clump together. (Do not make it too sticky).
3. Form & Chill: Gather the dough into a ball, flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. (Cold dough is easier to handle).
4. Make the Filling: While the dough chills, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft.
5. Season: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool completely. (Hot filling will melt the dough!).
6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll & Cut: On a lightly floured surface (use GF flour), roll the dough out to about ⅛ inch thickness. Use a 4-inch or 5-inch round cutter (or a bowl) to cut out circles.
8. Fill: Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled meat mixture into the center of each circle.
9. Seal: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly. Use a fork to crimp the edges sealed (this is the classic look).
10. The Golden Secret: Place empanadas on the baking sheet. Brush the tops generously with the egg wash. This is essential for getting that ‘Golden Brown’ color on gluten-free pastry.
11. Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and crispy.
12. Cool: Let them cool for 5–10 minutes before serving, as the filling will be very hot.
Notes
Dough Handling: If the dough cracks while folding, wet your finger with a little water and smooth out the crack. Gluten-free dough is forgiving!
Filling Variations: Feel free to add chopped hard-boiled eggs, green olives, or raisins to the beef mixture for a traditional Argentine style.
Freezing: These freeze beautifully unbaked. Freeze them flat on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen (add 5 minutes to cooking time).
Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter sticks in the dough to make this dairy-free (omit egg wash or use oil for browning).
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 65
Your Burning Questions Answered!
- Can I use a different type of wine?
- Yes, you can use any dry white wine you prefer. Pinot Grigio works well, but a Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice for your Gluten Free Empanadas.
- What fillings work best with this dough?
- You can use a variety of fillings, from classic beef and cheese to spinach and feta. The key is to ensure the filling is not too wet to prevent soggy empanadas.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. However, it’s best to fill and shape the empanadas the same day for optimal texture.
Dig In & Enjoy!
Now that you’ve mastered the art of making Gluten Free Empanadas, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. These delicious pastries are perfect for sharing with friends and family or treating yourself to a savory snack. Don’t forget to experiment with different fillings to find your favorite combination.
For more delicious ideas, follow me on Pinterest.