Golden and crispy on the outside, soft and delicious on the inside, these ripe plantain empanadas are filled with melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, tender chicken, or savory ham and cheese. They make a wonderful snack, appetizer, or easy family dinner.
Made with naturally sweet ripe plantains, these golden empanadas offer a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible homemade treat!
1. Cheese Ripe Plantain Empanadas 🧀
Sweet plantain dough wrapped around gooey melted cheese makes these empanadas a simple yet delicious treat.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe plantains
- 150 g mozzarella or white cheese, cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup flour or cornstarch, if needed
- A pinch of salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the plantains
Peel the ripe plantains and cut them into large pieces. Place them in a pot of boiling water and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until completely tender.
Step 2: Prepare the dough
Drain the plantains thoroughly and mash them while still warm until smooth. Add the butter and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly. If the dough feels too sticky to handle, gradually add a little flour or cornstarch until it becomes workable.
Step 3: Shape the empanadas
Divide the dough into equal portions. Place each portion between two sheets of plastic wrap and flatten it into a small circle.
Place some mozzarella or white cheese in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then gently press the edges together to seal.
Step 4: Fry until golden
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the empanadas and fry for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
Step 5: Serve
Transfer the empanadas to a plate lined with paper towels. Let them cool slightly before serving so the melted cheese doesn’t burn your mouth.
Serving suggestion: Enjoy them warm with garlic sauce, fresh salsa, or a little sour cream.
2. Savory Ground Beef Plantain Empanadas 🥩
These delicious empanadas combine sweet plantain dough with a rich, savory ground beef filling. The contrast between the tender dough and seasoned meat makes every bite satisfying.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 4 ripe plantains
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup flour or cornstarch, if needed
- A pinch of salt
For the beef filling:
- 300 g ground beef
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 100 g shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, optional
For frying:
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the plantain dough
Peel and cut the plantains into chunks. Boil them for 15–20 minutes until soft, then drain and mash thoroughly.
Mix in the butter and salt. Let the mixture cool before adding a little flour or cornstarch if needed to make it easier to shape.
Step 2: Cook the beef filling
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3–4 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the ground beef, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
Cook for 8–10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess liquid and allow the filling to cool.
Step 3: Shape the empanadas
Divide the plantain dough into equal portions. Flatten each portion between two sheets of plastic wrap.
Place a spoonful of beef filling in the center. Add a little shredded cheese if desired.
Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges firmly together to seal.
Step 4: Fry until crispy
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the empanadas in batches for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet, as this can lower the oil temperature and make the empanadas greasy.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Place the cooked empanadas on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm with tomato salsa, guacamole, or your favorite dipping sauce.
3. Cheesy Chicken Plantain Empanadas 🍗
See more on the next page
