Caramel Apple Empanadas (2024)

Caramel Apple Empanadas

I begin this recipe with a homemade apple cinnamon pie filling and a sweet and tangy cream cheese filling. I load up empanada dough with both fillings, and I pan fry them to golden, flaky perfection. To finish them off, I coat them with a cinnamon sugar mixture and drizzle them with caramel sauce to create delicious, hand-held caramel apple pies that no one can get enough of. They love the flavor, and I love how easy they are to make.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Empanada Recipe

• It’s a delicious combination of flavors that are simply irresistible. The apple filling is sweet and tart, the cream cheese mixture is rich and creamy, and they are covered with cinnamon and sugar, and drizzle with caramel.
• The empanadas are deep fried which gives them a crispy exterior, and the contrast with the soft and creamy centers are a winning combination.
• They are easy to make and are great for dessert, perfect for parties, potlucks, or an afternoon snack.

Caramel Apple Empanadas Ingredients

Even with two different fillings, you won’t need a lot of ingredients to make these empanadas. It only takes a few simple ingredients, and all of them – even the empanada dough – can be found at your local grocery store.

• Granny Smith apples are the perfect tart apple for empanadas because they hold their shape well when cooked and their tartness helps to balance out the sweetness of the caramel.
• Water is used to cook down the apples until they are soft and tender.
• Sugar is added to sweeten the apples.
• Cornstarch helps to thicken up the apple filling.
• Ground cinnamon is a classic flavor combination with apples, and it adds flavor to the empanadas.
• Lemon juice helps prevent the apples from turning brown.
• Cream cheese adds richness and creaminess to the filling.
• Vanilla extract adds a touch of sweetness of depth of flavor to the cream cheese filling.
• Empanada dough (I used Goya) is a flaky, buttery dough that is perfect for holding in the apple and cream cheese fillings.
• Vegetable oil is used to fry the empanadas until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Caramel sauce is drizzled over the empanadas for an extra layer of sweetness.
• Cinnamon and Sugar mixture is used to toss the fried empanadas into while they are still warm prior to drizzling caramel sauce over them.

How to Make Caramel Apple Empanadas

Making these empanadas is incredibly easy. Both of the fillings are super simple, and after making those, the rest of the recipe is even easier. Even beginners can make these with no issues at all.

Step 1: Make the Apple Cinnamon Filling

Bring water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Then, add the chopped apples, stir, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Fillings

Beat the cream cheese until fluffy in a medium bowl. Then, add the sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes.

Step 3: Fill and Fold

Add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling to the center of the empanada dough followed by a tablespoon of apple cinnamon mixture. Moisten the edges of the dough, fold it over the filling, and pinch with your fingers. Finish by crimping the edge with the tines of a fork.

Step 4: Fry

Heat the oil to 375 degrees in a cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan. Add a few empanadas at a time to the oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Transfer the empanadas to a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 5: Coat and Serve

Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. Then, dip each empanada in the mixture to coat both sides. Place the empanadas on a plate, drizzle with caramel sauce, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Stir often when making your apple cinnamon filling to avoid scorching.
• Fully soften your cream cheese to get the best filling possible.
• A hand mixer is the best way to make the cream cheese mixture.
• Don’t crowd your frying pan when frying the empanadas. Adding more than a few at a time will reduce the heat of the oil and make your empanadas soggy rather than crispy.

Variations

• Try fruits like peaches, nectarines, pears, and apricots for the filling.
• Berries are perfect for the fruit filling.
• You can use pie dough in place of empanada dough. Just roll it out a bit thinner.
• For a different flavor and texture, try using crescent roll dough.

What to Serve with Caramel Apple Empanadas

Like a full-sized pie, these empanadas are wonderful with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. They’re also perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Because of their size, I also love to dip them in whipped cream dessert dip or even plain Cool Whip.

Recipe FAQ

How to Store and Reheat Caramel Apple Empanadas

Refrigerate these empanadas for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container in single layers separated by parchment paper and freeze them for up to a month.

To reheat the empanadas, place them on a baking rack over a baking sheet. Then, bake them for 10 minutes at 300 degrees until heated through. You can also place them in the air fryer and air fry for 8 to 10 minutes at 275 until heated through.

Try This Delicious Apple Empanadas Recipe Today

These caramel apple empanadas are as easy to make as they are delicious. You can’t beat a recipe like that! With apple cinnamon and cream cheese fillings, a flaky crust, and a cinnamon sugar coating topped with caramel sauce, these little hand pies won’t last long! They’re so good and so easy, you’ll find yourself making them all the time. Give them a try and get ready to fall in love.

Caramel Apple Empanadas

Great Grub, Delicious Treats

These caramel apple empanadas are a delicious empanada recipe filled with a homemade apple filling and a sweet cream cheese mixture, fried to golden perfection, covered with cinnamon and sugar, and drizzled with caramel.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 185mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 2gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 275IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg