Air fryer empanadas are made with ground beef, peppers, and onion wrapped inside flaky Jiffy pie dough! These empanadas are highly customizable and make the perfect dinner or appetizer.

Looking for more quick weeknight dinners? Head over to my 30 ground beef dinners ready in 30 minutes roundup where you’ll find this recipe and 29 more quick weeknight recipes.

Why this recipe works

Who can resist a savory hand pie? Similar to our taco empanadas, we’re using ground beef, but the beauty of these air fryer empanadas is how versatile they are. The crisp crunch of the dough paired with spices and veggies is a delicious base for so many different variations. Try switching it up if you want to make ground turkey, chicken, or sausage in this recipe!

close up of inside of air fryer empanadas

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

MEAT – This recipe is good for using up some of that ground beef you have on hand. However, if you’d like, you can substitute the beef for shredded chicken, sausage, turkey, or whatever type of ground meat you want to try.

VEGETABLES – We chose diced onion, red bell pepper, and orange bell pepper for our veggies. Some love to throw peas into the mix, as well as potatoes. You can certainly add your favorite vegetables to this dish!

DOUGH – Jiffy pie crust mix works really well for these empanadas. It’s quick, easy, and cost-effective. If you don’t have a pie crust mix, try using crescent roll dough or even biscuit dough in its place. Be sure to keep an eye on them in the air fryer and check for doneness when substituting.

How to Make Air Fryer Empanadas

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. When it’s halfway done cooking, add the pepper and onion. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the seasonings and cook for one minute. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the Jiffy pie crust with water until it’s in dough form. Roll into a log and cut into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a disc about 1/8-inch thick.
Fill half of the disc with the cooled filling, folding over the other side of the disc, and seal using a fork around the edge.
Spray the top of the empanadas along with the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray and cook for 8 minutes.
Serve with pico de gallo, sour cream, lime, or fresh cilantro.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store leftover empanadas?

You can store empanadas kept in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop back in the air fryer at 350F for a few minutes until thoroughly reheated.

Can I freeze air fryer empanadas?

Sure! After assembling the empanadas, wrap them in plastic wrap and store in a Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 5-6 months.

Serving Suggestions

These easy air fryer empanadas are great for lunch, dinner, or as an appetizer and they’re super quick to whip together. Serve them with sour cream, salsa fresca, and guacamole on the side for dipping.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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