Mexican Fried Empanadas (Easy & Authentic)

🛒 Ingredients

For the dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil or melted butter
• 1 cup warm water (as needed)

For the filling (choose one)

• Ground beef with onion & spices
• Shredded chicken
• Cheese (queso fresco, mozzarella, or Oaxaca)
• Potato & cheese

For frying

• Vegetable oil

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the dough
   Mix flour and salt. Add oil, then slowly add warm water until a soft dough forms.
   Knead 5 minutes, cover, and rest 20 minutes.
2. Roll & fill
   Divide dough into balls. Roll into thin circles.
   Add filling to one side, fold over, and seal edges with a fork.
3. Fry
   Heat oil over medium heat.
   Fry empanadas until golden and crispy, flipping once.
4. Drain & serve
   Drain on paper towels. Serve hot — plain or with salsa.

🔥 Tips

• Don’t overfill — they seal better
• Oil should be hot, not smoking
• You can bake them at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes if preferred