Baked Guava and Cheese Empanadas Recipe

Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make snack or dessert? These Guava and Cheese Empanadas are the perfect treat! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering pastry that's sweet, savory, and absolutely irresistible. If you're serving them as a breakfast item, an afternoon snack, or a party dessert, these empanadas will be a hit. Plus, they're versatile—you can bake, fry, or air-fry them to suit your preference!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These empanadas are made with guava paste, a popular ingredient in Latin desserts, and sharp cheese, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Best of all, the recipe requires only three ingredients, making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a quick and tasty dish.

Serve them with a light dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness, or enjoy them warm from the oven. They also pair beautifully with a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of Horchata, giving you a complete, satisfying snack experience.

What Are Guava and Cheese Empanadas?

These empanadas are a traditional Latin American pastry filled with sweet guava paste and savory cheese, typically enclosed in a flaky dough. They are baked or fried to golden perfection, with a warm, gooey filling inside.

The sweet, tropical flavor of guava combined with the rich, creamy cheese makes these empanadas a favorite in many Latin households, often served as a dessert or snack. They are especially popular in places like Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, where guava-based desserts are commonly enjoyed.

Ingredients To Make Guava and Cheese Empanadas

Before we get into the steps, let's discuss the ingredients you'll need for these delightful empanadas. Each component plays an essential role in delivering the flavor and texture you’re looking for:

• Empanada discs—These are pre-made dough discs you can find in the freezer section of most grocery stores. They make the process quick and easy and ensure a flaky crust.
• Guava paste – The sweet star of the show, guava paste is a concentrated fruit paste that adds a unique tropical flavor to the empanadas. You can find it in most Latin or international grocery stores.
• Sharp cheese – Aged sharp cheese contrasts the sweetness of the guava, creating a well-balanced flavor. You can use other cheeses like cream cheese, mozzarella, or queso blanco depending on your taste.
• Cooking spray – To prevent sticking and give your empanadas a crispy texture when baking or air-frying.
• Powdered sugar (optional) – For dusting on top, add a light sweetness after baking.

How to Make Baked Guava and Cheese Empanadas

Making these empanadas is straightforward and requires minimal prep time. Let’s walk through the steps for making them at home.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (or preheat your air fryer to 400°F if you're using one).
2. On a clean surface, lay out the thawed empanada discs.
3. Cut the guava paste into small cubes, approximately 1 inch in size. You can adjust the size depending on how sweet you want each empanada.
4. Cut the cheese into similarly sized squares.
5. Place one piece of guava paste and one piece of cheese onto one half of each empanada disc.
6. Fold the empanada discs in half, covering the filling, and seal the edges by pressing them with a fork.
7. Lightly spray a baking sheet or air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the empanadas about 1 inch apart.
8. Spray the tops of the empanadas with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy crust.
9. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden and air bubbles form. For air-frying, check after 5 minutes and cook for an additional few minutes if needed.
10. Once the empanadas are done, remove them from the oven or fryer and dust them with powdered sugar if desired.

Enjoy them while warm!

Tips For Making This Easy Empanada Recipe

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your empanadas come out perfect every time:

• Don’t overfill the empanadas. Too much filling can cause them to burst open during baking or frying.
• Seal the edges tightly using a fork to prevent the filling from leaking out.
• Experiment with cheeses: While sharp cheese provides a great contrast to the sweet guava, you can try other types of cheese, like cream cheese or mozzarella, for a milder flavor.
• Bake or fry: If you're short on time, air-frying is a quicker method. However, baking provides a more even cook and crispier crust.
• Use pie crust as a substitute if empanada discs aren’t available. The texture will be slightly different, but it still works well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the empanadas before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled empanadas before baking. Lay them flat on a baking sheet in the freezer, and once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to bake them, there's no need to thaw; simply bake them for a few extra minutes.

What type of cheese works best in this recipe?

Sharp cheese is often preferred because it provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the guava. However, cream cheese, mozzarella, or even queso fresco are excellent alternatives that offer a milder flavor.

Can I fry these instead of baking?

Yes! You can either deep fry or air fry the empanadas. If you choose to air fry, follow the instructions provided. If deep frying, heat oil to 350°F and fry for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.

If you enjoyed making these Guava and Cheese Empanadas, don't forget to save or print the recipe for future use! We would love to hear how they turned out for you, so please take a moment to leave a review and share your experience.

Your feedback helps others discover this delicious treat and perfect their own empanada-making skills. Happy baking!