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Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas (Air Fryer Option)

Apple Cinnamon Empanadas are the perfect accompaniment to the end of a Spanish-style meal. This easy recipe produces dessert empanadas that are incredibly tasty and satisfying!

apple cinnamon empanadas on dessert plate

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Most of us picture empanadas as a savory dish with chicken, beef or pork. But these apple cinnamon empanadas show just how good they can be sweet!

In addition to being a simple recipe, assembling these apple empanadas are fun to make with your family or friends. If pressed for time, the empanadas may be assembled the day before serving and placed in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, simply bake and serve while they are still warm.

inside of apple dessert empanada

Traditionally dessert empanadas are served with a dipping sauce. For these apple cinnamon empanadas I recommend a creamy caramel sauce – either homemade or store-bought. Or consider warming a can of dulce de leche – yummy!

FAQs

What are empanadas?

An empanada is a handheld turnover consisting of dough and filling that is either baked or fried. They are made by folding a sheet of dough over the filling and sealing it before cooking. The name comes from the Spanish word, ‘empanizado’, meaning ‘breaded.’

Can I make my own empanada shells?

Certainly! There are many good recipes online for making empanada dough. There are also plenty of good commercial brands available if you want a quick and easy dessert.

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apple cinnamon empanadas on dessert plate

Apple Cinnamon Empanadas

Apple Cinnamon Empanadas: filled with sweetened apples and rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Delicious and easy!
5 from 22 votes
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 18 mins
Total Time 43 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Spanish
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 12 4" Empanada Discs

Filling

  • 2 Large Tart Apples Chopped into ¼" cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (1 ounce)
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar

Finishing

  • 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted and cooled
  • ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

Instructions
 

Prepare Apples

  • Peel and core apples. Chop into ¼" cubes.
  • Place apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until apples have softened slightly (approximately 10 minutes). Stir occasionally.
    saute apple filling for dessert empanadas
  • Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool completely.

Assemble Empanadas

  • Preheat conventional oven or air fryer to 350° F.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter. Cool slightly.
  • Combine granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow dish or plate. Set aside.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of the apple filling in the middle of each empanada disc.
    apple filling in dessert dough
  • Brush a small amount of water on the lower half of the empanada disc. Fold empanada dough over so it meets the moistened half of the dough. Press lightly with fingertips.
  • Using a fork, press the empanada dough to seal.
    sealing dessert empanada with fork
  • Brush both sides of the sealed empanada with melted butter. Immediately roll in the cinnamon / sugar mixture. Place on a non-stick baking sheet.

Conventional Oven Baking

  • Bake at 350° F for 18 – 20 minutes.

Air Fryer Baking

  • Place in 350° F air fryer for 10 – 12 minutes.

Video

Keyword apple cinnamon empanadas, apple empanadas, dessert empanadas, sweet empanadas
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

16 Comments

  1. SM

    Reply

    5 stars
    This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try, love anything apple recipes especially pies!

  2. Whitney Stewart

    Reply

    5 stars
    Dang! This has my mouth watering already! Lol! But in a good way! Plus it doesn’t sound as difficult to make as one would imagine, so that’s a plus! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll de trying them out before too long!

  3. Beth

    Reply

    5 stars
    Just looking at these is making me so hungry! I love that apple filling. Great recipe.

  4. Stephanie

    Reply

    5 stars
    I love the idea of a dessert empanada! You’re right, I do think of it as savory but this looks like such a delicious dessert option.

  5. Nyxie

    Reply

    5 stars
    Wow! I had to read this twice because I thought they were savoury. They look similar to apple turnovers but with a crispier pastry.

  6. Bryan

    Reply

    5 stars
    I don’t normally associate empanadas with dessert, but why not? And who doesn’t love warm apples and cinnamon flavors?

  7. Heather

    Reply

    5 stars
    I love making empanadas but haven’t tried to make them in the air fryer! I can’t wait to make these. I bet they’re delicious.

  8. Ntensibe Edgar

    Reply

    5 stars
    Yyyeeesssss! I think I will stuff my empanadas with some beef to start with. Add some apple and cinnamon in there and we are good to go!

  9. Luna S

    Reply

    5 stars
    I’ve never tried to make these at home myself, but it sounds a lot easier than I thought.

  10. Angie Rose

    Reply

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and easy to make. The combination of apples with cinnamon is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

  11. Melanie E

    Reply

    5 stars
    Apple and cinnamon are amazing together. I would really like to try this. It does sound like something that I would really love and so would my family.

  12. Marysa

    Reply

    5 stars
    We just got an air fryer, and it would be fun to try out your recipe. We also love picking apples, and it sounds like the perfect recipe for ways to use up all those apples.

  13. Fransic verso

    Reply

    5 stars
    So yummy, the sauce in the middle makes me wonder how it will taste eating this with it haha. Wonderful recipe!

  14. Sonia Seivwright

    Reply

    5 stars
    I have never tried this before. It seems really good, and I love how easy it is to bake.

  15. CSNA Media

    Reply

    5 stars
    Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that can be enjoyed by everyone. These empanadas are filled with a warm and spiced apple cinnamon filling that is perfect for any fall or winter gathering.

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