Empanaditas & Pastelitos [Recipe + Video] 12 Options (2024)

En Español Recipe ↆ Video ↆ

Why we ❤️ it

Empanadas and pastelitos are not unique to the Dominican Republic, in fact, they can be found in pretty much every Spanish-speaking country in one shape or form, baked or fried, and in a variety of sizes. Each Spanish-speaking country has adapted this recipe to their own tastes and favorite ingredients.

In the DR, these are a basic component of the party platter, a quick late dinner after a night on the town, and popular street fare.

Empanadas vs. Dominican pastelitos

The difference between Dominican pastelitos and empanaditas is merely cosmetic, but –as with many other things– Dominicans do not seem to agree on one answer, but this is mine: Dominican Pastelitos are round, while Dominican Empanadas are half-moon-shaped.

Not everyone agrees, though.

It could also be a regional issue, as an informal survey among our social media followers seems to suggest, though most agreed with my naming convention.

Pastelitos and empanaditas and fillings.

Empanada fillings

And if we leave aside the question of shape, this recipe is very flexible, and we give you several options for empanada fillings (chicken, pork, beef, cheese, or vegetables).

Pick a filling. Whichever you choose, it's sure to be a box office success.

Vegan empanadas

Do you have vegan friends? Go with our Vegetable mix vegan filling, or a Vegan picadillo filling in this recipe with video. For the dough, you can use the one from Yaniqueque that also works wonderfully for empanadas and pastelitos.

Chicken empanadas

We have a recipe for a lovely, Creamy chicken empanada filling, and a Pulled chicken in tomato sauce empanada filling that is more traditional. Both work great with empanaditas and pastelitos, and are inexpensive and easy to make. You can make them ahead of time and refrigerate them until it's time to assemble and fry the empanadas.

Beef empanadas

Beef lovers? Then a ground beef filling should be your choice, and we have just the Beef empanada filling recipe you need. You can make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until it's time to assemble and fry the empanadas.

Chorizo empanadas

This is not your same ol' empanada, try this fantastic Chorizo empanada filling for your pastelitos.

Lambí empanadas

Lambí (conch) is a refined, more expensive choice to stuff pastelitos, but well worth it. Check the recipe for instructions on how to make it into a filling for empanadas.

Crab empanadas

Another " deluxe" option is Cangrejo guisado to make crabmeat empanadas. Just let all the liquid evaporate when preparing the crab so that the dough doesn't break when filling.

Pork empanadas

Want something more "exotic"? How about a combination of pork and apple? You can find it inthis Pulled pork empanada filling recipe.

Sweet empanadas

You can even fill them with fruits, and make sweet empanadasperfect to serve them as desserts. My favorites are Empanadas de guayaba y queso.

Cheese empanadas

Cheese is another popular choice. Gouda or Emmental are great choices too, but for a more Dominican touch, you can make them with crumbledqueso de freír(or halloumi if you don't find queso de freír).

Pastelitos and empanaditas.

Dough

While I believe that the dough is secondary to a great empanada, it doesn't mean that it isn't important. The dough is a matter of taste and much discussion. I am of the school of crispy, flaky dough, but some people prefer a more "bready", flexible dough.

The cooking method is also crucial for the final result.

Deep-fried empanadas

This recipe is for the traditional Dominican empanadita and pastelito, which is deep-fried.

Baked empanadas

For an easy, quick, baked vegan version, trythis vegan baked empanada dough. These lovely no-butter, baked empanadas are gorgeous, perfect, and so much easier to make. These two work great with sweet fillings, like guava paste.

Vegan empanadas

If you are looking for an egg-free alternative, vegan alternative, the dough forYaniquequesworks well too.

Gluten-free empanadas

We didn't forget you! TryEmpanadas de yuca, a different type of empanadas made with yuca (cassava) dough.

Top tips

• You will almost certainly have leftover filling. Save it and add it to your next soup or stew.
• The baking powder must be fresh; this is a common point of failure in recipes that use it.
• If you don't serve them fresly-fried, the dough will become less crispy and more elastic. You can reheat them in a medium-heat oven for 10-15 minutes to improve the texture.

About our recipe

You may have different ways to make the dough, but the deal-breaker is always the filling. This is why I've given you as many options as possible.

This recipe yields about 18 empanaditas, though it may be fewer if you make them bigger. If you will make them as part of a larger picadera (appetizer) platter, it serves 9-18 people depending on how many more things will be served.

On its own, and as party food, it serves 4-5 people.

This dough recipe has the advantage of being simple, inexpensive, easy, requires no fancy equipment, and results in a crispy empanadita.

Buen provecho!

Recipe

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Empanaditas & Pastelitos [Recipe + Video] 12 Options

By: Clara Gonzalez

Dominican empanadas and pastelitos add variety and Dominican flavor to your hors d'oeuvres platter. We are presenting a generic recipe and easy step-by-step. See other filling and dough choices in the notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pastelitoCalories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 14gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 732mgPotassium: 270mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 20.1mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 1.6mg

Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.