Cheesy Beef and Rice Empanadas
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Mahatma® Jasmine Rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 oz ground beef
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives, chopped
- 2 tbsp capers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 dried oregano
- 1 1/2 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth
- 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 16 square egg roll wrappers (5-inch wrappers)
- Vegetable oil
- Sour cream
Instructions
Nothing says comfort food quite like these Cheesy Beef and Rice Empanadas dipped in fresh salsa or delicious sour cream. For an extra crispy Air Fryer finish, we’ve swapped out the pastry dough for egg roll wrappers.
Step 1
Heat oil in saucepan set over medium-high heat; cook ground beef, salt and pepper for 5 to 8 minutes or until slightly browned.
Step 2
Add onion, jalapeños, green olives, capers, garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are slightly softened.
Step 3
Add rice, broth and tomatoes; bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low; cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Transfer to large bowl; let cool completely. Stir in cheese and cilantro; refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 4
Brush edges of each wrapper with cold water. Place heaping 1/4 cup filling in center of each square; bring edges of each square together to create triangle shape and enclose filling. Crimp edges to seal.
Step 5
Preheat air fryer according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 6
Place 4 empanadas in air fryer basket. Drizzle with 1 tbsp oil. Air fry at 400°F, turning empanadas halfway through, for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and filling is heated through. Repeat with remaining empanadas.
Step 7
Serve empanadas with sour cream for dipping.
Recipe Variations
Substitute ready-cut empanada pastry, wonton wrappers or potsticker wrappers for egg roll wrappers if desired.
Recipe Video
Empanada Versatility
These crispy Air Fryer empanadas filled with savory beef and rice are perfect for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner! With seasonings, vegetables, ground beef and Mahatma® Jasmine Rice, these hand-held pastries make for a meal on their own to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Take these tasty bites for a hearty lunch on the go, a quick party appetizer or finger food for get-togethers and outdoor BBQs, or even an afternoon snack.
And, just by swapping out the filling ingredients, you can have a completely new flavor! Try experimenting with the fillings like cooking Jasmine Rice in the rice cooker or adding some Mexican Style Rice, maybe even try combining it with a Chicken Paella Recipe or one of our other Paella Recipes. You can also try swapping out the beef for sausage in these Chorizo and Rice Empanadas or make a veggie and seasoning packed version like these Turkey and Rice Picadillo Empanadas.
You can even make Sweet Empanadas with Rice Pudding. This sugary twist on the traditional savory filling will surprise everyone. Coat in a yummy cinnamon sugar finish and serve alongside chocolate syrup or dulce de leche for dipping. Everyone will be asking for the recipe. Our Cuban rice pudding is another excellent dessert.
How to Serve
There are a wide variety of sauces and toppings to serve alongside these savory empanadas. A few of our favorites include fresh salsa or pico de gallo, avocado or guacamole, chimichurri, Mexican crema or traditional sour cream. Feel free to get creative with the flavors you like best!
