{"id":"empanada_de_queso_9e2135b743","slug":"cheese-empanadas","title":"Cheese Empanadas","description":"Crispy, golden-brown pastry pockets filled with gooey, melted cheese. A quintessential Latin American breakfast or snack that is simple to make and incredibly satisfying.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":375,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed","name":"Butter","quantity":85,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"oz","form":"cubed","notes":"unsalted, chilled","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 large egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"large","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 cups shredded Oaxaca or Mozzarella cheese","name":"Mozzarella Cheese","quantity":225,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"shredded","notes":"Oaxaca, Mozzarella, or Monterrey Jack work best","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Oil for frying","name":"Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"vegetable or canola oil","group":"Cooking","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the chilled cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Whisk together the flour and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Lightly beat the egg and mix it with the warm water. Gradually add the liquid to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until a dough begins to form.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Lightly beat the egg","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2-3 minutes until smooth. Wrap in plastic and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Turn the dough out","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a ball. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-inch (13cm) circle.","group":"Assemble","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assemble"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place about 1-2 tablespoons of shredded cheese in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal.","group":"Assemble","title":"Place about 1-2 tablespoons of shredded cheese","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assemble"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (177°C). Fry the empanadas in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy.","group":"Fry","title":"Heat oil in a deep skillet","timerMinutes":6,"sourceTitle":"Fry"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Drain on paper towels and serve warm while the cheese is still melted.","group":"Serve","title":"Drain on paper towels","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serve"}],"notes":"For the best results, ensure your water is warm when mixing the dough to help the gluten develop. You can also bake these at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes if you prefer a lighter version.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Skillet","Rolling pin","Mixing bowl","Fork","Thermometer"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes about 12 medium empanadas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can assemble the empanadas and keep them refrigerated between layers of parchment paper for up to 24 hours before frying."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to regain crispiness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fempanada_de_queso_9e2135b743%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=764d460b-a02c-488c-ae95-8a74fb697417","imageAlt":"Cheese Empanadas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cheese","empanadas","breakfast","latin american","fried","comfort food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Cheese Empanadas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:18:26.052Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:18:26.052Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"chifles_191c5b72a2","slug":"chifles-crispy-fried-plantain-chips","title":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips)","description":"A classic Latin American snack of paper-thin green plantain slices fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, finished with a touch of salt.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian","Peruvian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchifles_191c5b72a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3e8c86-3d11-4104-9064-fb1f6050e18f","imageAlt":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","chips","crispy","latin american","salty","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5}]}