We don't usually make desserts.... just because we would eat too much of the yumminess and it would impact our diets! We often have fresh strawberries and blueberries with a spoonful of cool whip as a mid-day snack. It tastes so good but sometimes you want something more. Although it tastes good, sometimes we crave something more. This week at the grocery store, we came across some beautiful Granny Smith Apples, and we decided to make Air Fryer Apple Empanadas as we are trying to use the air fryer more. We found one of my Mom's apple pie recipes and purchased some refrigerator pie crust and caramel topping. Voila! In no time, we had hot empanadas with caramel sauce.
Air Fryer Apple Empanada
It's amazing what can be made with an air fryer. We've had ours for over a year, and we finally decided to put it to the ultimate test: making everything (for the month of February) in the air fryer. Our plan was simple: if we couldn't use the air fryer for everything, we would give it away and gain some much-needed space in our kitchen cabinets. But if it worked out, then the air fryer would get a permanent spot on our kitchen counter. Well, it turns out that everything worked perfectly and the air fryer now has a very nice spot in our kitchen! Some of our favorite recipes include Pork Tonkatsu, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Wings, but we're always working on new recipes to try out. Be sure to join our blog so you don't miss out on any of the new air fryer deliciousness!
We made several single servings of this dessert and had some leftovers, so we decided to freeze them for a quick and easy hot dessert that can be ready in just a few minutes. It's amazing how many fun snacks you can make and freeze, and then simply pull them out and heat them up for a quick dinner or snack. You can choose from a variety of options such as Chicken Tortillas, Steak Tortillas, Buffalo Chicken Tortillas, or Bean Tortillas. . . So many choices!!!
Air Fryer Tips:
- Use an Olive oil or butter spray. Spay the outside of the Empanadas to help them brown. For the Empanadas, I prefer butter spray
- Freeze the Apple Empanadas flat in the freezer. When you want to use the Apple Empanadas, take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- If you want sweeter Empanadas, you can sprinkle some brown or white sugar on them during the last 5 minutes of cooking. To make the sugar stick to the dough, spray the Empanadas with butter spray again before adding the sugar.
- The Empanadas can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
BONUS:
We made the Apple Empanadas using Grandma's recipe for apple pie. The filling was so amazing and reminded me of my childhood when we always had delicious apple pies for Sunday dinner. Now, the crust was not like what my Mom made but we have not perfected making her pie crust yet! And to make this easy, the refrigerator pie shells are really good.
We made the Apple Empanadas using Grandma's recipe for apple pie. The filling was delectable and brought back memories of my childhood when we would have scrumptious apple pies for Sunday dinner. However, the crust was not quite like my Mom's since we haven't yet been able to master her recipe. Nevertheless, the refrigerated pie shells are a convenient and delicious alternative.
Air Fryer Apple Empanada
Ingredients
- 1 Package Pie Shell Sheets We used refrigerated pie shells
- ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ Tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1 ½ Pounds Granny Smith Apples 4 ½ Cups
- ½ Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Zest from ½ lemon
- ½ Tablespoon sugar
- Caramel sauce We used ice cream caramel topping (Optional)
- Cool Whip Optional
Instructions
- Bring the pie shell to room temp according to the package directionsWash apples, cut them in half, and remove the seeds/core
- Cut apples into bite-size chunks
- Mix together Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon. Add to sliced apple pieces. Mix together
- Add Lemon Juice and zest to apples
- Place apple mixture in a sauté pan. Cook until the apples get soft. About 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool to room temperature
- Cut the pie crust into quarters
- Add ½ cup of the apples to the pie crust. Place on the edge of the pie crust
- Fold the pie crust over the apples and seal the edges by pinching with fingers
- Press down the edges with a fork
- Cut a little slit on top of the empanadas
- Spray empanadas with Olive Oil or butter spray (or your favorite)
- Place parchment paper in the air fryer and put the empanadas in the air fryer
- Cook in an air fryer at 375 degrees for 7 minutes
- Rotate in the air fryer. Cook for additional 5 minutes. (OPTIONAL: at this point spray with additional oil spray and sprinkle on brown or white sugar)
- Cook until golden brown. Drizzle on some Caramel and some whipped cream
- ENJOY!!!!
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