Should Empanadas Be Baked or Fried? Tradition by Region
Should Empanadas be Baked or Fried?
Empanadas can be baked or fried, and both are traditional. Baking is the norm in Argentina and Chile, frying is more common in Colombia and Venezuela, and Mexico uses both depending on the region and the cook.
Key Takeaways
- Empanadas can be baked or fried, and both methods are traditional. The split is regional, not a matter of one being more authentic than the other.
- Argentina and Chile are known for baked empanadas. Colombia and Venezuela are known for fried, often cornmeal-based empanadas.
- The dish traces to Galicia, in northwest Spain, with the earliest known written mention of empanadas by name appearing in a Catalan cookbook, Llibre del Coch, published in 1520.
- Each order is two corn turnovers with a choice of cheese and epazote, mushroom, or shredded chicken, served with green cabbage, queso fresco, Mexican crema, and molcajete sauce.
The Short Version
Empanadas can be baked or fried, and both are traditional depending on the region.
In this article
- Are empanadas baked or fried?
- Why the split is regional, not a ranking
- Where does the empanada come from?
- Baked empanadas vs fried empanadas
- El Patron's empanadas: a third method
- Which filling should you order?
- FAQ
Are Empanadas Baked or Fried?
Empanadas can be baked or fried, and both methods are traditional, since the choice comes down to regional custom rather than one version being more authentic. Argentina and Chile lean baked. Colombia and Venezuela lean fried. Mexico, Puerto Rico, and several other countries use both, sometimes within the same city.
That range is part of what makes the empanada hard to pin down as one dish. It is closer to a format, a filled, folded pastry, than a single fixed recipe.
Why the Split Is Regional, Not a Ranking
The baked-versus-fried divide follows where an empanada is from, not which recipe came first or which one is more correct. Wheat-dough baked empanadas dominate in Argentina and Chile. Cornmeal-dough fried empanadas dominate in Colombia and Venezuela. Mexican empanadas draw on both traditions, often using corn masa fried or baked depending on the region and the cook.
None of that ranks one method above another. A baked empanada in Salta and a fried empanada in Cali are both the real thing in their own kitchens.
Where Does the Empanada Come From?
The empanada traces to Galicia, in northwest Spain, with the earliest known written mention of the dish by name appearing in a 1520 Catalan cookbook. That book, Llibre del Coch, was written by Robert de Nola and included empanadas filled with seafood among its Catalan, Italian, French, and Arab recipes. An even earlier reference to a filled pastry called an empanada appears in the 13th-century Galician-Portuguese poetry collection Cantigas de Santa Maria.
The name itself comes from the Spanish verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Spanish colonization carried the dish across Latin America and the Philippines starting in the 16th century, and each region adapted the dough, the filling, and the cooking method to what was already on hand.
Baked Empanadas vs Fried Empanadas
Baked empanadas typically use a wheat dough enriched with butter or lard for a soft, pastry-like bite, while fried versions often use a cornmeal dough for crunch. Baking tends to produce a lighter result with less oil absorbed into the dough, and it cooks the filling evenly under a golden crust. Frying seals in moisture fast and builds a crisp, sturdy shell, which is part of why fried empanadas travel well as street food.
| Method | Typical dough | Texture | Associated with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baked | Wheat, butter or lard | Soft, flaky, pie-like | Argentina, Chile |
| Fried | Often cornmeal | Crisp, golden shell | Colombia, Venezuela |
Neither method is a shortcut. A baked empanada still needs a properly laminated or fat-enriched dough to avoid drying out, and a fried empanada needs the right oil temperature to avoid turning greasy instead of crisp.
El Patron's Empanadas: A Third Method
Our Empanadas are corn masa turnovers, lightly sauteed and then baked, so they are neither a straight bake nor a straight fry. The pan builds color and a bit of crisp edge, while the oven finishes them evenly without the added oil a full fry would use.
On our menu, the Empanadas are tagged Gluten-Free and served with green cabbage, queso fresco, Mexican crema, and a side of molcajete sauce. Filling choices are cheese and epazote, mushroom, or shredded chicken. The same corn masa shows up in the Huarache and in the Tamales, three different formats built from the same house-made dough.
Which Filling Should You Order?
You choose from three fillings: cheese and epazote, mushroom, or shredded chicken, all served with cabbage, queso fresco, and crema. Cheese and epazote is the closest to a classic vegetarian starter, with the herb's distinct anise-like flavor coming through against the melted cheese. Mushroom is the other meatless option. Shredded chicken is the more familiar, comfort-forward choice if you are ordering for a table that has not tried empanadas before.
Order the Real Thing
See the full menu, or reserve a table to eat in. If you already know your filling, order online.
FAQ
Is it more authentic to bake or fry an empanada?
No single method is more authentic. Baking is the traditional norm in Argentina and Chile, while frying is traditional in Colombia and Venezuela. Authenticity in this dish comes from ingredient quality and regional technique, not from picking one cooking method over the other.
What's the difference between an empanada and an American turnover?
They are close cousins in concept, a filled pastry folded over a savory or sweet center, but they come from different culinary lines. The empanada traces to Galicia, Spain, and spread through Latin America, while the American turnover developed separately from British and European hand-pie traditions.
Are El Patron's empanadas gluten-free?
Yes. On our menu, the Empanadas are tagged Gluten-Free, and the dough is fresh corn masa rather than wheat flour. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten allergy, tell your server so the kitchen can talk you through how the dish is prepared before you order.
Can you order empanadas without meat?
Yes. Two of the three fillings, cheese and epazote and mushroom, are meatless; the third is shredded chicken. If you avoid dairy or all animal products, note that the cheese filling, queso fresco, and crema are dairy, and ask your server about the molcajete sauce before you order.
Are El Patron's empanadas spicy?
Not inherently. The empanadas are not spicy on their own; any heat comes from the molcajete sauce, which is served on the side, so you choose how much to add. How hot that sauce runs can vary, so ask your server if spice level matters to you.
Do you need a reservation to order empanadas?
No. Reservations through OpenTable are for dining in, and you do not need one to order our empanadas. You can request a table without a reservation, subject to availability, or place a pickup order through online ordering. You can also call us at (407) 238-5300.
References
Related
This article is general food and culinary information about empanadas, not a nutrition or medical guide. Menu names and availability can change.