These easy Caprese Empanadas are a delicious combination of fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and fragrant basil all packed inside a delicious pocket of flaky crust.
About the Recipe
You will love to make these as an impressive appetizer or served with sides as a delicious main course option.
The fresh and healthy ingredients meld together so well in this unique twist on a classic Caprese salad and traditional empandas. Each Caprese Empanada bite is filled with a burst of flavor that will have you and your dinner or party guests coming back for more!
If you are looking for more delicious and easy recipes, check out our: Margherita Flatbread, Lemon Pepper Salmon or Easy Italian Marinated Skirt Steak.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Delicious - The buttery and flaky pastry pairs perfectly with the creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. It is a perfect flavor combination and is a great way to enjoy a flavorful snack or meal.
Easy - Making these caprese empanadas is not only easy, but it's fun too! Using just a few ingredients, you can get these impressive snacks put together and ready for your friends and family quickly and without too much effort.
Impressive - These empanadas look stunning with their golden brown flaky pastry dough perfectly puffed and filled with the fresh ingredients. They are visually appealing with the vibrant fresh ingredients inside. They look great on a serving platter and are perfect for entertaining or for special occasions.
Ingredients
Here are the delicious ingredients you will need for this caprese empanada recipe:
- Empanada dough: You will need 12 empanada discs or two sheets of puff pastry cut into circles.
- Olive oil: Use a high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Mozzarella: An 8-ounce ball of sliced fresh mozzarella.
- Tomatoes: Use tomato slices or chopped tomato
- Basil
- Egg: Use the egg to brush on the outsides of the dough.
Directions
Let's make these homemade empanadas together!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium sized bowl, combine the olive oil mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Place the empanada dough on the prepared baking sheet. Add a spoonful of the caprese mixture to each of the empanada discs.
Step 4: Fold the dough in half and seal the edges with a fork. Brush the outside of each empanada with the whisked egg.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 or until the pastry is golden brown.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this delicious meal:
Plan ahead - You will want the empanada dough or puff pastry to be thawed, so take it out of the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Cut circles - If you are using the puff pastry instead of the empanada discs, use a large biscuit cutter or cookie cutter to cut out the circles in the pastry.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for these delicious empanadas. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Baking sheet - Use a good quality sheet pan for even cooking!
Parchment paper - I love these pre-cut sheets of parchment paper.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this recipe.
Salt - Sprinkle with coarse flake salt before baking to enhance the flavors even more.
Additions - Get creative and add a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking for a tangy twist, sprinkle some parmesan in with the mozzarella mixture for extra richness or add some cooked chicken or prosciutto for an even heartier version!
Dipping - Dip a caprese empanada in pesto or tomato sauce for even more flavor.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside these caprese empanadas:
Pesto Orzo - This recipe has deliciously chewy orzo, flavorful pesto and juicy cherry tomatoes. This is a great weeknight recipe because it is easy to make and pairs well with a variety of main course dishes.
Simple Lupini Beans - These mild, slightly nutty and nutrient rich beans are flavored with garlic and cooked in chicken broth until deliciously thickened. Top these lupini beans with fresh herbs and you have a perfect and healthy side!
Italian Margarita - You will love this Italian Margarita! This cocktail is a delicious and unique twist on the classic margarita with a blend of sweet and sour flavors that make it a perfect drink for any occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any fresh tomatoes you have on hand or can find at the grocery store. Fresh roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes would work great!
Yes. If you are unable to get your hands on fresh mozzarella, feel free to use grated mozzarella cheese in its place.
Empanada dough discs are going to be pre-made empanada dough that is pre-cut into the round shape and ready to be filled. They are similar to pie crust with a butter and flaky texture. They are a convenient way to make empanadas with fewer steps!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container, or covered in plastic wrap, and eat leftovers within 4-5 days. Reheat according to instructions below or serve at room temperature.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below or serve at room temperature.
Reheating Instructions: Heat on a microwave safe plate, covered with a napkin, until heated through.
Other Recipes to Try
Caprese Empanada
Ingredients
- 12 Empanada dough discs or 2 sheets puff pastry cut in circles
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 8 oz ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 2 tomatoes sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1 egg whisked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Combine olive oil, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil in a bowl. Mix well.
- Line dough on parchment paper. Add a spoonful of caprese mixture to the empanada dough, repeating until all of the empanadas are filled.
- Fold dough in half, sealing the edges with a fork. Brush with whisked egg and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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