Get ready for a tasty adventure with these homemade sweet potato ground beef empanadas! They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for sharing with your loved ones. Plus, don’t forget to dunk them in the irresistible green sauce!
Imagine sinking your teeth into these delicious empanadas – a delightful blend of sweet potato, ground beef, and spices, all wrapped in a simple homemade dough. Trust me, they’re as simple to make as they are scrumptious.
The best part? You have options! Whether you prefer baking or air frying, these empanadas turn out crispy and delicious either way.
Sweet Potato Ground Beef Empanadas
Ingredients
For the Green Sauce:
- 2 cups packed cilantro
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 4 green onions trimmed
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
For the Empanada Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cold water
For the Empanada Filling:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 small sweet potato peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1/2 small white onion minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro minced
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Start by making the Green Sauce: Blend all the sauce ingredients until combined. Chill in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Empanada Dough: Mix flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon of oil in a bowl. Gradually add water until you have a coarse mixture. Shape into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- For the Empanada Filling: Combine spices in a bowl. Cook ground beef with garlic and half of the spice mix. Remove beef, then cook sweet potato with the remaining spices until tender. Combine with beef, onion, cilantro, and vinegar.
- Assemble the empanadas: Roll out the dough, cut into circles, add filling, seal edges, and brush with oil.
- Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Baking Method: Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve the empanadas with the herb sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Chunky sauce adds texture.
- For spicier filling, use hot sauce instead of vinegar.
- Air-fried empanadas may vary in color based on oil used.
- Freeze wrapped empanadas, reheating following steps 6 or 7.