These pizza empanadas combine classic pizza flavors inside a crisp, baked pastry. They are easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and perfect for gatherings or quick meals.
Why Pizza Empanadas Are So Popular
Pizza empanadas bring together two favorite comfort foods in one bite. They offer bold flavor, simple ingredients, and convenient preparation.
They are also baked instead of fried, making them lighter and less messy. As a result, they work well for parties, snacks, or casual dinners.
What Are Pizza Empanadas?
Empanadas are stuffed pastries popular across Latin America and Brazil. In Brazil, they are known as pastéis and come in baked or fried versions.
These pizza empanadas use a classic filling of ham, cheese, tomato, and oregano. This combination creates a familiar pizza flavor inside a portable pastry.
Why This Recipe Works
- Uses simple, accessible ingredients
- Baked instead of fried for easier preparation
- Freezer-friendly dough saves time
- Great for parties, game days, or snacks
Make-Ahead Convenience
You can prepare the dough for pizza empanadas in advance and freeze it. Then, simply fill and bake when needed.
This approach saves time, especially for events or busy days.
For safe freezing and storage practices, refer to USDA guidelines.
Serving Ideas
Serve pizza empanadas warm for the best flavor and texture.
They pair well with:
- Soda or sparkling drinks
- Light beer
Summarize and send this content on
They work as:
- Party appetizers
- Game day snacks
- Quick afternoon bites
Why I Love This Recipe
I like this recipe because it keeps things simple and practical. Baking instead of frying makes preparation easier and cleaner.
The filling delivers strong flavor without extra spices. Each ingredient already brings enough taste on its own.
Pro Tips
- Seal edges to prevent filling from leaking
- Do not overfill the dough
- Bake until golden for a crisp texture
- Let cool slightly before serving
FAQ
Yes. Freeze the dough or fully assembled empanadas before baking.
Baked empanadas are less greasy and easier to prepare. They also require less cleanup.
You can substitute with chicken, ground beef, or vegetables. Keep moisture low to avoid soggy dough.
Bake until golden and avoid stacking while hot. This prevents steam from softening the crust.
Pizza Empanadas -- Two dishes in one! Got yours?
Pizza Empanadas (Pastel de Pizza)
Ingredients
- For the pizza empanadas dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoon ¼salt
- 6 oz unsalted butter cold and cut into small pieces, 170 g, 1 ½ sticks
- 1 large egg chilled
- 5 tablespoons cold water
- Note: The dough recipe was adapted from Laylita's Recipes.
- For the pizza empanadas filling:
- ¾ cup shredded ham
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 cherry-tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 pinch dried oregano
- 1 large egg whites and yolk separated
Instructions
- In a food processor, mix the flour and salt together. Add the butter, egg, and water until a clumpy dough forms. Do not overwork the dough!!!
- Form a ball, wrap in plastic wrapper, and chill in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.
- Then, unwrap and roll out the dough into a thin sheet over a floured surface, working from the center of the dough to the edges. Cut out round disc shapes using a round medium-size or small mold or cutter.
- Use immediately or store in the freezer for up to 3 months (In this last instance, pile one disc on top of the other with plastic wrapper in between them. Wrap the pile well and store in a ziploc bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before filling the pizza empanadas).
- For the filling of the pizza empanadas (In Brazil, we call this type of filling "pizza"): In a small bowl, mix both the ham and cheese. Reserve. Assemble the pizza empanadas, adding a spoonful of the ham and cheese mixture on the center of each empanada disc. Top with 2 halves of a tomato and sprinkle a little bit of oregano.
- Brush the edges of the pizza empanada discs with the egg whites or a little bit of water although the whites are a better "glue" to seal the pizza empanadas. Fold the empanada discs and seal the edges gently with your fingers.
- Then, press the edges of the pizza empanadas with a fork to crimple. Lightly brush the top of the pizza empanadas with the egg yolk thinned with ½ teaspoon of water. Layer the pizza empanadas in a single layer in a deep baking pan or pyrex dish. Cover with aluminum foil (don't let it touch the pizza empanadas). Let the pizza empanadas rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until ready to bake.
- Pre-heat the oven to 400º F (200º C) and bake for 10 - 15 (small) or 15 - 20 minutes (medium) or until golden. Serve pizza empanadas warm by themselves, with your favorite dipping sauce (I used chimichurri sauce) plus a drink, or with a fresh salad.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Jean says
Can I make these ahead of time and freeze them unbaked and then bake the day of the party?
Valentina Dimitrova says
Yes, you can Jean! But make sure you freeze them without the egg wash. In addition, let them thaw in the refrigerator before baking them. Enjoy!
Coffee and Crumpets says
Perfect for the Superbowl! My daughter asked me yesterday what goodies I was making for the Superbowl on Sunday and I said "nothing". I told her since the Broncos aren't in it..I am taking a break!
Love these little parcels of pizza goodness!
So, 49'rs or Ravens?
Nazneen
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Nazneen!
Well, just because I lived my first 5 years in the U.S. in Northern California, I'll say 49'rs - hopefully! 🙂
So sorry that your team will not be playing in that event...Have a great time with your family anyway!! xx
Naná Oliveira says
Denise amada,
Amo as suas receitas. Você está de parabéns.
Fiz as empanadas utilizando a massa folhada compradas já pronta no supermercado.
Como recheio: Piquei os tomates bem picadinhos, acrescentei cebola, óregano seco, ralei (ralo grosso) queijo prato e queijo de coalho, coloquei um pouquinho de azeite de oliva e um pouquinho de sal.
Pincelei com gemas de ovo e as bordas da massa eu amassei com um garfo. Recheei e levei ao forno pré-aquecido. A casa ficou perfumadíssima.
Meu erro foi (e aí eu deixo como sugestão para que outras pessoas não façam o que eu fiz) não colocar um papel manteiga na forma, ou untá-las, E não deixar o tempo de descanso antes de ir ao forno.
Desse modo, deixei-as dourar demais e o recheio esparramou por toda a forma, de modo que, ai esfriar, endureceu e ficou difícil retirá-las com facilidade. Algumas quebraram. No mais ficaram saborosíssimas.
Essa sua sugestão foi maravilhosa.
Quem fizer irá amar!
Obrigada por compartilhar conosco suas habilidades.
Que O Bom Deus lhe abençoe e multiplique seus dons!
Naná
Valentina Dimitrova says
Naná, irmã!
Obrigada por suas palavras de carinho!
O recheio esparramou por toda a forma provavelmemnte por 2 motivos:
1. O tomate picado e o azeite. O recheio de pastel deve ser o mais seco possível ou deixa a massa molhada.
É por isso que na minha receita pus um tomate pequeno (contem menos liquido), fatiado pela metade e virado pra cima (para que o liquido não escorresse facilmente molhando o resto do recheio). Jamais pique ingredientes que contem liquido como tomate (a não ser que todas as sementes e liquido sejam todos retirados primeiro) pois quando aquece no forno o liquido solta todo. A mesma coisa acontece com o azeite que já é liquido.
2. Pincelar a parte interna do círculo de pastel com clara de ovo ajuda a selar bem a massa. A clara atua como uma cola. Além disso, é necessario não encher muito o pastel para que quando for na hora de dobrar a massa para fechar, não impeça a selagem da massa a qual deve ser pressionada com os dedos bem e depois pressionada com um garfo. Do contrário, a massa se abrirá ou formará brechas no forno depois de aquecida.
Outra coisa: Jamais pincele a forma. Isso faz o pastel dourar demais na parte de baixo provocando alteracões no gosto da massa e também na textura. Aqui forro a minha forma com parchment paper (é uma folha de papel sem brilho e um pouco mais grossa que o nosso papel manteiga o qual aqui se chama wax paper). Veja aí o que seria o equivalente a parchment paper. Quando aquecido a altas temperaturas ele não escurece como o papel manteiga não.
Deixei a massa descansar na geladeira antes de assar os pastéis porque isso relaxa a massa fazendo mais maleável e também para que a pincelagem da gema enxugue mais.
Tudo que está nas minha receitas tem uma razão. Sei que as vezes não explico absolutamente tudo, mas tudo tem uma razão para que aqueles que seguem as receitas possam ter o resultado esperado, ou seja, ser bem-sucedido. Próxima vez, tente fazer seguindo esses passos e depois me diga o resultado por favor. 🙂
Um grande abraço e fica com Deus.
Elizabeth says
These look so yummy! I love the melty cheese 🙂
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Me too...They are all gone by the way. 🙂
Wishing you a great weekend!!!
natalie says
These look amazing!
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Natalie!
My family loves these empanadas -- even my children!!!
I hope you have the chance to make them. Have a great weekend!
P.S: I hope you participate in our giveaway, which one-question form is in this post above the recipe:
https://www.frombraziltoyou.org/brazilian-recipes/avocado-creme-brulee-and-giveaway/
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Love these, they remind me of Italian galzone. I love savory and sweet fillings wrapped inside baked dough.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Julia:
Yes, they do remind Italian Calzone tastewise, although I think baked empanadas are much flakier than calzone!
They also have a thinner crust.
See ya soon! xx
Nydia says
Nothing better that a home made dough, specially for empanadas, which I guess is more latin than spanish 😉
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Nydia! I agree...
Laura King says
Looks delicious Denise, and I love having a little package of yumminess I can hold in my hand 🙂
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks for your comment, Laura! They are almost over. 🙂
It was a big success at my house -- even the girls ate them and asked for more...
I hope you participate in our giveaway. xx