Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas

By
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes
Marian Blazes is a freelance writer and recipe developer with a passion for South American food. She wrote a cookbook focusing on the cuisine of Brazil.
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Updated on 12/27/22
Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas on a platter

The Spruce / Christine Ma
Prep: 40 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 12 empanadas
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
289 Calories
18g Fat
16g Carbs
15g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 289
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 169mg 56%
Sodium 589mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 229mg 18%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 234mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Although these are not traditional empanadas because they are made with puff pastry dough, they are still very popular, especially for breakfast. They are often shaped as a square, maybe to distinguish them from the classic round empanadas.

The light and flaky pastry combines perfectly with the melted cheese and ham. If you've been resorting to commercially prepared hot pockets for quick breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, this can be your go-to alternative. You can make these empanadas and freeze them unbaked, then take them straight from the freezer to the oven for a quick hot treat.

Your kids will love them as they are simple but delicious. Pair them with a big green salad bursting with vegetables for lunch or servings of fresh fruit for breakfast. You can also pack these in brown bag lunches as they taste great at room temperature as well as hot.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 cup grated smoked Gouda, Edam, or similar cheese

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

  • 1 pinch salt, to taste

  • 1 (17 1/3-ounce) package puff pastry dough, frozen

  • 1/4 pound deli ham

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 tablespoon water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas ingredients on a marble counter

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  2. Pre heat oven to 400 F. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.

    Butter in a saucepan on a burner

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  3. Whisk the flour into the melted butter and increase the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux.

    flour and melted butter in a saucepan on a burner

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  4. Whisk the milk into the roux and bring it to boil, stirring. The sauce will thicken slightly.

    Roux in a saucepan on a burner

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  5. Whisk 2 eggs into mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes more or until sauce has thickened.

    egg and roux mixture in a saucepan on the burner

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  6. Add grated cheese and Parmesan and stir until melted. Remove from heat and add cayenne pepper and salt to taste.

    cheese added to the mixture in the saucepan

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  7. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry dough on a floured surface to 12 inches square. With a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough into 12 (3 x 4-inch) rectangles.

    Dough on a parchment paper lined counter

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  8. Mix the egg yolk with the water and brush the edges of half of the rectangles with the egg yolk mixture.

    Dough edges brushed with an egg wash mixture on parchment paper

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  9. Place a piece of ham in the center of each rectangle that has been brushed with the egg yolk mixture. There should be an edge of dough all around the ham. Top ham the ham with 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.

    Ham and egg yolk mixture on top of the dough on the parchment paper

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  10. Cover the ham and cheese with one of the plain rectangles and firmly press down around the edges to seal.

    Dough sealed around the filling on top of the parchment paper

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  11. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry. Pastries may be frozen at this point or kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours before baking.

    Unbaked Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas on a lined baking sheet

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  12. When ready to bake, prick the top of the empanadas several times with a fork and brush tops lightly with the egg yolk mixture.

    Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas on a lined baking sheet

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

  13. Bake 20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Empanades can be served hot or at room temperature.

    Baked Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Empanadas on a lined baking sheet

    The Spruce / Christine Ma

Variation

Traditional masa empanada dough is made with flour and lard and requires plenty of kneading. You can make these ham and cheese empanadas using traditional dough if you prefer but keep the idea of using puff pastry (homemade or store-bought) in the back of your mind as an easier alternative.

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