How to Make an Easy, Enticing Ham and Cheese Asian Empanada

January 20, 2024 | by Connie Africano Remoroza

Empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be found in various cuisines around the world. Today, we’re going to put an Asian twist on this classic pastry by making a mouthwatering ham and cheese Asian empanada. This recipe is perfect for those looking for a quick and easy snack or appetizer that will leave everyone wanting more.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure we have all the ingredients we need:

2 cups all purpose flour for the empanada dough
1 cup of cooked ham, diced
1/2 cup of cheese, shredded (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite melting cheese)
1/2 cup of green onions, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Let’s Get Cooking!

Now that we have all our ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking:

Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced ham, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Take the pre-made empanada dough and lay it flat on a clean surface. If the dough is too thick, you can use a rolling pin to thin it out slightly.
Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough. The size of the circles will depend on how big you want your empanadas to be.
Place a spoonful of the ham and cheese filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Use your fingers or a fork to press and seal the edges of the empanada.
Transfer the sealed empanadas onto the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the empanadas with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serve and Enjoy!

Once your ham and cheese Asian empanadas are ready, it’s time to dig in and enjoy the deliciousness. These savory pastries can be served as a snack, appetizer, or even as a main course alongside a fresh salad.

Feel free to get creative with the dipping sauces! You can serve them with a side of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or even a tangy ginger dipping sauce. The choice is yours!

So, the next time you’re craving a tasty and easy-to-make snack, give this ham and cheese Asian empanada recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you!