Dairy-Free Cheese Empanada

Indulge in these golden, flaky Dairy-Free Cheese Empanadas, a plant-based twist on a classic favorite that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. Featuring a tender homemade dough enriched with olive oil, these empanadas are stuffed with a creamy filling of dairy-free cream cheese, shredded dairy-free cheese, and a medley of bold seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and fresh cilantro. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy depth, while the optional egg wash creates a perfectly crisp, golden crust. Ready in under an hour, these empanadas are an irresistible appetizer, snack, or light meal—perfectly suited for vegans or anyone seeking a dairy-free alternative. Serve them warm and watch as they disappear off the plate!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.75 cup Cold water
• 0.33 cup Olive oil
• 1 cup Dairy-free cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh cilantro
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 cup Dairy-free shredded cheese
• 1 egg Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, optional for glazing)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the salt.

Step 2

Add the cold water and olive oil to the flour mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.

Step 3

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

Step 4

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to rest.

Step 5

While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chopped cilantro, ground black pepper, and dairy-free shredded cheese until well combined.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7

On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) to cut the dough into circles.

Step 8

Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling mixture in the center of each dough circle.

Step 9

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal, and crimp with a fork for a decorative edge.

Step 10

Place the empanadas onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 11

Brush the top of each empanada with egg wash if desired for a golden finish.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown.

Step 13

Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your dairy-free cheese empanadas warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(978.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2883.3

Total Fat 173.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.0g
Cholesterol 186mg	0%
Sodium 4136.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 280.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.1g	0%
Total Sugars 1.0g
Protein 55.9g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 970.3mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 735.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.8%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 38.6%