How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas
Bacon cheeseburger empanadas are crispy, golden pastries filled with smoky beef, melted cheese, and savory bacon, combining the flavors of a classic burger in a handheld bite.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time12 minutes mins
Total Time27 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: bacon cheeseburger empanadas, fried empanadas
Servings: 16 pcs
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Manny
Ingredients for the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 10 Tbsp. iced water
- 1/4 cup atchuete oil mix atchuete seeds with oil then remove the seeds
- 1 pc egg beaten
- cooking oil for frying
Ingredients of bacon cheeseburger patties
- 1/2 kilo ground beef
- 1 pc medium size onion chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
- 1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 kilo bacon chopped and pan fried
- vegetable oil for brushing
To make the bacon cheeseburger filling:
Place the ground beef and onion in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
Divide the mixture into 6 equal parts. Shape each portions into burger patties. Chill the patties.
Preheat the grill to high and brush it with vegetable oil. Grill the patties until cooked for 4 to 5 minutes.
Place the burger patties in a bowl and let it cool. Crumble the patties using your fingers and mix the grated cheese and bacon. Set aside for use in filling the empanadas.
To make the cheeseburger empanadas:
Combine flour, sugar, salt and mix thoroughly. Mash the cold butter into the flour mixture. Slowly mix in the ice water into the mixture to make a dough.
Color the dough with achuete oil by continuously kneading the dough and slowly adding the oil.
Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for about 30 minutes to an hour.
Dust a clean table with flour so that the dough will not stick to the table. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin and roll until 1/4 inch thick.
Using a round cookie cutter, cut the flattened empanada dough into circles about 3 inches in diameter. Dust a baking pan with flour and place the shaped empanada dough, cover and set aside.
To assemble the empanadas, stuff each empanada dough wrapper with 2 tablespoons of the filling at the center. Dampen the edges of the dough wrapper with beaten egg.
Fold the dough over to form a semicircle. Pinch out the corner of the dough, and fold it onto itself. Pinch and pull out another 1/2 inch section then fold it over so that it slightly overlaps the first one. Repeat along the length of the folded side until you form a twisted seal.
Preheat deep fryer to 175°C. Deep fry the empanadas for 6 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve with catsup and mustard.
Frequently Ask Questions:
Can I make bacon cheeseburger empanadas ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and assemble them in advance, then store them in the refrigerator for up to a day before cooking. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the uncooked empanadas in a single layer until firm, then transfer to a container. When ready to cook, fry or bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Can I bake instead of fry bacon cheeseburger empanadas?
Yes, baking is a great alternative if you want a lighter version. Brush the empanadas with egg wash before placing them in a preheated oven to help achieve a golden color. While they won’t be as crispy as deep-fried ones, they will still have a flaky crust and delicious filling.
What cheese works best for bacon cheeseburger empanadas?
Cheddar is the most popular choice because it melts well and gives that classic cheeseburger flavor. You can also use quick-melting cheeses like mozzarella or processed cheese for a creamier texture. Mixing two types of cheese can add more depth and richness to the filling.