Healthy Ground Pork Empanadas – Quick & Easy Recipe

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love These Healthy Ground Pork Empanadas
• The Perfect Dough: Crispy, Flaky, and Easy
• Flavor-Packed Filling for the Best Empanadas
• How to Make Empanadas Healthier
• Serving and Pairing Suggestions
• Storing and Reheating for Meal Prep
• Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

• These healthy ground pork empanadas are packed with flavor while being a nutritious choice.
• The homemade dough is easy to make and provides a crispy, golden texture.
• Baking instead of frying makes this recipe lighter and healthier.
• They are perfect for meal prep, storing well in the fridge and freezer.
• Enjoy them as a main dish, appetizer, or snack with your favorite dips.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Ground Pork Empanadas

These easy recipes with ground beef alternatives are the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without the heaviness of traditional fried empanadas. Using ground pork gives these empanadas a juicy and flavorful filling, while baking them ensures a lighter, crispier texture. Whether you’re making them for a family dinner, a gathering, or meal prep, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit!

The Perfect Dough: Crispy, Flaky, and Easy

One of the keys to the best empanadas is a flaky and crispy dough. This simple homemade dough is buttery, easy to work with, and bakes up to golden perfection. Unlike store-bought options, making the dough from scratch gives you full control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthier option without preservatives or additives.

Flavor-Packed Filling for the Best Empanadas

The filling is where the magic happens! Ground pork, seasoned with a blend of spices like smoked paprika and cumin, creates a rich and savory taste. Adding diced bell peppers brings a subtle sweetness and crunch, making each bite more enjoyable. If you’re looking for an easy homemade recipe with deep flavors, this one delivers!

How to Make Empanadas Healthier

While traditional empanadas are deep-fried, this recipe takes a healthier route by baking them. If you want to take it a step further, use whole wheat flour for the dough, swap in lean ground turkey or chicken, or even try air fryer easy recipes to crisp them up with minimal oil. These small changes make a big difference while keeping the empanadas delicious and satisfying.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These healthy ground pork empanadas pair well with a variety of dipping sauces like chimichurri, spicy salsa, or a tangy yogurt dip. Serve them alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack or a main dish, they’re incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste!

Storing and Reheating for Meal Prep

Meal prepping these empanadas is a game changer! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for longer storage. To reheat, simply pop them in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy texture. These quick and easy recipes make weeknight dinners stress-free and delicious.

Healthy Ground Pork Empanadas – Quick & Easy Recipe

Easy recipes with ground beef like these healthy ground pork empanadas make weeknight dinners simple and delicious!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Healthy

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: air fryer easy recipes, easy homemade recipes, easy recipes for dinner, easy recipes with ground beef, healthy and easy recipes, quick and easy recipes, vegetarian food recipes – easy and healthy

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Lila

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

For the Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/3 cup cold water

For Assembly

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

Prepare the Filling

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
2. Add ground pork and cook until browned.
3. Stir in bell peppers, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat and mix in fresh cilantro.

Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
2. Add cubed butter and mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Slowly add cold water, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough lightly, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Assemble and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the dough and cut into circles.
3. Place a spoonful of filling in each circle, fold over, and crimp edges.
4. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

For a healthier version, use whole wheat flour and bake instead of frying.