Apple Empanadillas Recipe: Sweet Spanish Turnover Treat 2026

Apple empanadillas are the sweet cousin of the classic Spanish turnover, and they could not be easier to make at home. A buttery, cinnamon-scented apple filling gets tucked into store-bought pastry wrappers, then baked, fried, or air-fried until golden. The result is a warm, crisp little pocket of caramelized fruit that disappears almost as fast as you can make them.

You can use whatever apples you like best here. Fuji is a favorite for its sweet, crisp bite, but any good baking apple will work beautifully. The filling comes together in a single pan in about five minutes, and the wrappers do the rest of the heavy lifting.

These little turnovers are endlessly adaptable. Bake them for a lighter finish, fry them for a crispier shell, or cook them in the air fryer when you want something quick. Serve them warm or at room temperature, with a light dusting of powdered sugar on top.

Ingredients for Apple Empanadillas

This recipe makes 16 empanadillas, perfect for sharing as a dessert or an afternoon treat.

• 2 apples
• 15 g butter
• 20 g brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 16 empanadilla pastry wrappers
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

How to Make Apple Empanadillas Step by Step

1. Dice the Apples

First, wash and peel 2 apples, remove the cores, and cut them into small dice. You can use whatever variety you enjoy most; Fuji apples work especially well here for their sweet, crisp flesh.

2. Caramelize the Apple Filling

Melt 15 g of butter in a small saucepan with 20 g of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Add the diced apple and cook for 5 minutes, stirring so the pieces caramelize evenly. Then set the filling aside to cool.

3. Fill the Empanadillas

Divide the apple filling among 16 empanadilla wrappers and seal them with a fork or with a dedicated empanadilla press. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 °C if you plan to bake them.

4. Arrange Them on a Tray

Repeat until all the wrappers are filled, then arrange the empanadillas on a baking tray. Leave a little space between them so they cook evenly.

5. Brush with Egg

Brush the empanadillas with 1 beaten egg and place them on the baking tray. If you decide to fry them instead, you can skip this step.

6. Cook the Empanadillas

Cook the empanadillas however you prefer. We baked ours for 15 minutes at 180 °C, then let them cool slightly on a wire rack. You can also fry them in plenty of hot oil for a few minutes until golden, or cook them in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 180 °C.

7. Serve with Powdered Sugar

Before serving, and optionally, dust the empanadillas with powdered sugar for a prettier finish. They are delicious served warm or at room temperature.

Tips for the Best Apple Empanadillas

Choose Your Favorite Apples

Any apple you enjoy eating will work in this filling, so feel free to use what you have on hand. We are partial to Fuji apples for their sweetness and firm texture, but this really comes down to personal preference.

Wrappers, Sealing, and Freezing

The wrappers can be the standard store-bought ones from the refrigerated section of any supermarket, which saves a lot of work, though homemade empanadilla dough makes them even better and is very easy to prepare. If your wrappers are a different size and you end up with leftover filling, it freezes beautifully for another batch of sweet empanadillas or for filling crepes and other desserts. To seal them, use a dedicated empanadilla press if you have one, or simply press the edges together with a fork. Once formed, the empanadillas can be frozen, so you can make a bigger batch and keep them ready to go straight into the oven.

Baking, Frying, or Air Frying

We chose the oven to keep these empanadillas on the lighter side, but just like their savory counterparts, they can also be fried or cooked in the air fryer. Once cooked, serve them warm or cold, optionally decorated with a little powdered sugar.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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