Quick Animal Style Empanadas

This recipe reinvents the classic flavours of a famous American burger in a practical and swift format, perfect for busy weeknights. Our Quick Animal Style Empanadas offer a delicious filling of seasoned beef mince, caramelised onions, and a special sauce, all encased in crispy pastry. They are an outstanding choice when you’re seeking a comforting meal that’s both fast to prepare and incredibly satisfying, bringing a touch of Californian diner charm to your British kitchen without the fuss or lengthy cooking times. Ideal for a stress-free yet flavourful family dinner, these empanadas promise to become a new favourite.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 4 (8 empanadas)

Ingredients

• 7 oz (200g) beef mince
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 8 ready-rolled shortcrust or puff pastry circles
• 2.1 oz (60g) grated cheddar or provolone cheese
• 1 fl oz (2 tbsp) mayonnaise
• 0.5 fl oz (1 tbsp) ketchup
• 0.17 fl oz (1 tsp) American mustard
• 0.08 fl oz (½ tsp) sweet paprika (optional)
• 0.34 fl oz (2 tsp) finely chopped gherkins
• Olive oil, for cooking
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Start by heating 1 tbsp of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
2. Add the beef mince to the same pan. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until it’s completely browned, draining any excess fat if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir the cooked mince and onion with the grated cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, paprika (if using), and chopped gherkins. Mix the filling thoroughly until well combined.
4. Lay the pastry circles on a work surface. Place a generous tablespoon of the filling in the centre of each circle. Fold the pastry disc in half to form a crescent, then firmly seal the edges by pressing with your fingers or a fork.
5. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Lightly brush the empanadas with a little olive oil. Arrange 3-4 empanadas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
6. Cook the empanadas for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, turning them halfway through. Repeat the process with the remaining empanadas.

Serving & Leftovers

These empanadas are delicious served hot, perhaps alongside a simple green salad to balance the rich flavours. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days and gently reheated in an air fryer or oven to maintain their desirable crispness.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Everyday cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be rewarding. Our approach to meal preparation, built on reliable recipes and clear timings, ensures you can enjoy delicious dishes even on the busiest evenings. It’s a method that values simplicity without ever sacrificing the pleasure of eating well.