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How to Form Empanadas

By Sandra Gutierrez
Updated: April 11, 2016
Empanadas are flaky hand pies that can be stuffed with a variety of fillings from savory to sweet. Learn how to make these Latin American and Spanish pastries in this step-by-step empanada guide.
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Step 1: Moisten the Edge

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Popular in Latin American and Spanish cuisine, empanadas are a fun food to have at your next casual get-together. The individual servings make it simple to calculate what's needed to feed a crowd, and since they're made ahead and baked or heated the day of the party, you can spend more time with your guests. We recommend using our Whole-Wheat Empanada Dough, but you can repeat these steps with any dough your recipe makes.

First, using a pastry brush, moisten the border of the dough disk with egg wash.

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Step 2: Add Filling

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Place filling in center of disk. Bring dough edges together to form a half-moon shape.

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Step 3: Pinch Closed

Photo: Jennifer Causey

While holding empanada, press edges between thumb and index finger to close.

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Step 4: Crimp to Seal

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Place empanada on work surface; crimp by pressing the tines of a fork along border.

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