Spinach Empanada

Delight your taste buds with these flaky, golden-brown Spinach Empanadas—an irresistible blend of buttery homemade pastry and a rich, creamy spinach filling. Perfect for a snack, appetizer, or light meal, these empanadas feature a flavorful medley of sautéed onions, garlic, fresh spinach, and a touch of nutmeg, all enveloped in velvety cream cheese. The dough, made from scratch with all-purpose flour and chilled butter, ensures a perfectly tender and crisp texture. Easy to bake and bursting with wholesome ingredients, this recipe is a must-try for fans of hand pies, vegetarian comfort food, or Spanish-inspired dishes. Serve these spinach empanadas warm and pair them with a tangy dipping sauce for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 240 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 120 grams Unsalted butter
• 60 milliliters Ice water
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, chopped
• 2 units Garlic cloves, minced
• 300 grams Fresh spinach, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 100 grams Cream cheese
• 1 unit Egg, beaten

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the empanada dough. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture.

Step 2

Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3

Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough begins to come together.

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Step 5

For the filling, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it begins to soften, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet, cooking until it is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 8

Season the spinach mixture with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 9

Once cooled, mix in the cream cheese until the spinach is evenly coated and the mixture is creamy.

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).

Step 11

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 3mm.

Step 12

Use a round cutter or the rim of a glass to cut circles of dough, about 10-12 cm in diameter.

Step 13

Place a heaping tablespoon of the spinach mixture in the center of each dough circle.

Step 14

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, and press the edges together to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch.

Step 15

Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the beaten egg.

Step 16

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

Step 17

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1025.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2547.2

Total Fat 173.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 551.7mg	0%
Sodium 4191.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 213.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 48.5g	0%

Vitamin D 40IU	0%
Calcium 522.5mg	0%
Iron 20.9mg	0%
Potassium 2348.0mg	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: 59.9%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 32.7%