Empanada
Pastry turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, baked or fried
Empanadas are turnovers of pastry folded around a savory or sweet filling, found in Spain, Portugal, much of Latin America, the Philippines, and beyond. They can be baked or fried, with fillings ranging from meat and cheese to vegetables, seafood, or even fruit. Each region has its own version, often enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main dish.
- Empanadas can be baked or fried, with wheat, corn, or plantain dough
- Fillings range from meat and cheese to seafood, vegetables, or sweet custard
- Galicia in Spain is considered the birthplace of empanadas
- Each country and region has its own distinct version
- Empanadas are popular as street food and at festivals
What is Empanada?
An empanada is a turnover made by folding dough over a filling, then baking or frying it. The dough may be made from wheat flour, cornmeal, or even mashed plantains, depending on the country. Fillings vary widely: beef, chicken, fish, cheese, vegetables, and sometimes sweet mixtures like fruit or custard. Shapes range from half-moons to rectangles or torpedo forms. The outer crust can be flaky, crisp, or chewy. Some are sprinkled with sugar, others served with spicy sauces or salsas.
Where does Empanada come from?
Empanadas are believed to have started in Galicia, northwest Spain, possibly as early as the 7th century. The word comes from the Spanish 'empanar', meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Medieval texts in Spain and Jewish writings mention similar stuffed breads. By the 16th century, cookbooks described empanadas with seafood fillings. Over centuries, the dish spread to Portugal, Latin America, the Philippines, and other regions, adapting to local tastes and ingredients.
How is Empanada made?
To make an empanada, dough is rolled out and cut into circles or other shapes. A spoonful of filling—meat, cheese, vegetables, or something sweet—is placed in the center. The dough is folded over and sealed, often with a crimped edge. Empanadas can be baked in an oven or deep-fried in oil. The type of dough and filling changes by region: some use cornmeal, others wheat flour, and some even use mashed plantain. Fillings might be seasoned with herbs, spices, or mixed with eggs and raisins.
How and when is Empanada eaten?
Empanadas are eaten at any time of day, as a snack, appetizer, or main meal. In many countries, they are popular street food, sold from stalls or bakeries. They are served hot or cold, sometimes with sauces like ají in Colombia or salsa in Ecuador. In Argentina, empanadas are common at parties and festivals. In the Philippines, they can be found in markets and are sometimes filled with local sausage and vegetables. Some versions are enjoyed during festivals or family gatherings.
Kinds of Empanada
Empanadas have many regional forms. In Argentina, each province has its own style, with fillings from spicy beef to fish or cheese. Colombian empanadas use cornmeal dough and are often fried. In the Philippines, Ilocos empanadas are made with rice flour and colored orange with annatto. El Salvador makes sweet plantain empanadas filled with custard or beans. In France, chaussons are baked with puff pastry and savory or sweet fillings. Brazil's pastel is a similar fried turnover with a thin crust.
What Empanada means
Empanadas are a symbol of regional identity in many places. In Argentina, the empanada is celebrated with festivals and has been declared a cultural heritage food. Galician empanadas are linked to local festivals and pilgrimages. In Colombia and Ecuador, they are a staple of street food culture. The dish is valued for its portability and variety, making it a favorite for gatherings and special occasions. Some regions have unique traditions, like sprinkling sugar on top or serving with spicy sauces.
Questions people ask about Empanada
What is an empanada made of?
An empanada is made by folding dough—usually wheat flour, cornmeal, or plantain—around a filling such as meat, cheese, vegetables, seafood, or even sweet ingredients, then baking or frying it.
Where do empanadas come from?
Empanadas are believed to have originated in Galicia, a region in northwest Spain, and spread to Portugal, Latin America, the Philippines, and other regions.
Are empanadas always savory?
No, while many empanadas are filled with savory ingredients like meat or cheese, some are sweet, with fillings such as custard, fruit, or chocolate, depending on the country.
How are empanadas cooked?
Empanadas can be either baked in an oven or fried in oil. The cooking method varies by region and personal preference.
Are there vegetarian empanadas?
Yes, vegetarian empanadas are common and may include fillings like cheese, vegetables, potatoes, or beans, especially in places like Ecuador and the Philippines.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Empanada", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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