Baked Sausage Empanadas Recipe

Easy baked sausage empanadas are a hearty party appetizer for any occasion. They have a flaky pastry crust that’s filled with ground sausage and Parmesan cheese.

These tasty packets are like hand-held comfort food that can be served for cocktail hour or for brunch. You can even make them ahead and freeze!

Serve these pastry turnovers for a Havana themed party, happy hour with friends, or when you’re hosting a tapas party with appetizers & sangria. They’re just what you need to lay a foundation for those cocktails!

Why You’ll Love It

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy appetizer recipe for your next party, you’ll love these sausage empanadas.

• They’re hearty and more filling than some other finger foods.
• Since they’re made of breakfast sausage and pastry, you can add them to brunch party menus.
• They’re satisfying for men’s appetites so feel free to add them for a father’s day celebration or guys night.

Ingredient

• Ground sausage. I use mild flavor breakfast sausage as it’s a great all-purpose choice for any recipe. I love the quality of Mulay’s sausage, but you can use your favorite brand.
• Onion. I used yellow onion but it’s fine to use white or sweet onion, too.
• Bread crumbs. Use store-bought or homemade bread crumbs to add texture to the filling.
• Egg. Lightly beat the egg as it is used as a binding ingredient.
• Parmesan cheese. Use packaged grated parmesan to make it super easy, or you can use a block of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
• Pie dough. One package or refrigerated pie dough has 2 readymade pie pastry sheets. You can also make them from scratch if you have a favorite recipe. 

How to Make Them

1. Prepare the filling and let it cool down.
2. Cut the pie dough into squares and place the filling onto each one. Moisten the edges with water, fold them in half and seal the edges by pressing with a fork.
3. Bake until hot and crispy.

Make-Ahead

If you want to make empanadas ahead of time, you can freeze them and bake them later.

1. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm.
2. You can then transfer the frozen empanadas to a freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months.
3. When you’re ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for an hour. Then cook as directed in the recipe card below.

Storage

• For cooked empanadas, let them cool on a wire rack and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil. You can refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. 
• To reheat empanadas, you can microwave them briefly or bake them in the oven at 325º F until they are heated through.

How do you seal empanadas?

There are different ways to seal empanadas. One way is the fork-sealing method, which is simple and quick. Fold the dough circle in half over the filling, press the edges together, and then use a fork to make small indentations along the edge. Another way is the press-and-crimp method, which is more traditional. Fold the dough circle in half over the filling, press the edges together, and then use your fingers to make small pleats or folds along the edge. 

More Sausage Appetizers

If you like these baked sausage empanadas, try these other party appetizers that have sausage in the recipe.

• Italian sausage appetizers in pie pastry cups.
• Delicious and classic sausage cheese balls.
• Try these hearty and satisfying smoked sausage appetizers in simple barbecue sauce.
• Saucy cocktail kielbasa medallions have just 3 ingredients.