![Sweet potato cheesecake empanadas at Boricua Soul](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/2zEcdAY_JweIJ1q5va9oZxJgJ-o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sweet-potato-cheesecake-empanadas-FT-RECIPE0222-9a2b8c36ecad4e6bba8cd02e82e6df50.jpg)
Empanadas are tasty baked or fried hand pies beloved in Spain, Latin America, and beyond. From classic flaky beef empanadas to sweet, rosy-hued cherry empanadillas, here are our favorite empanada recipes from chefs José Andrés, Katie Button, Francis Mallmann, and more.
Empanadillas Gallegas
![Empanadillas Gallegas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/X7QAC2ihAMcsD056prYF8KjdsyM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Empanadillas-Gallegas-FT-RECIPE0621-4fcf38873dd24729af1ed55efee800ca.jpg)
These handheld versions of empanada Gallega, the large savory pie from Galicia, Spain, are stuffed with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and chopped olives. Chef Katie Button mixes the filling with sofrito and wraps it up in a pastry dough enriched with lard, which she says makes an incredibly flaky crust.
Cherry Empanadillas
![Cherry Empanadillas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/8ltmdb-GiohubwHR-QnMHmNRacs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cherry-empanadillas-FT-RECIPE0621-f9838d05ac924870a826a2b289cb3e94.jpg)
This delicious cherry filling will convince you that empanadillas aren't just for savory fillings. Pastry chef Paola Velez's empanadillas are fried until golden brown, then glitzed up with a pretty pink glaze.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Empanadas
![Sweet potato cheesecake empanadas at Boricua Soul](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/2zEcdAY_JweIJ1q5va9oZxJgJ-o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sweet-potato-cheesecake-empanadas-FT-RECIPE0222-9a2b8c36ecad4e6bba8cd02e82e6df50.jpg)
Puerto Rico and the American South intersect deliciously in this unique dessert empanada from Boricua Soul in Durham, North Carolina, which combines the flavors of marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole with spiced pumpkin cheesecake, encasing it all in caramel-drizzled, crisp pastry.
Open-Faced Crab Empanadas
![Open-Faced Crab Empanadas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/zHwDkO4UeJvvo7KFLzpt7hg-e6I=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/200612_crabEmpanada-HD-200612_crabEmpanada-758684ba14054dd89bec0de2bcb3b7d3.jpg)
Chef José Andrés says: "I love America! Without a doubt, one of my favorite American ingredients is blue crabs, a true delicacy! And a great value, I think." This recipe is his twist on the traditional Basque txangurro (crab simmered with tomato), crossed with a Galician empanada.
Spinach and Green Pea Empanadas
![Spinach-and-Green-Pea Empanadas. Photo © Fredrika Stjärne](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/JPoalRt3KSDj8wSSjQADAOl6rvo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201105-xl-spinach-and-green-pea-empanadas-d19c76d0b0344f36af35174c03baf62f.jpg)
Chef Mauricio Couly uses a mix of spinach, fava beans, green beans, and a good amount of mint. He makes his own paprika-spiced empanada dough; store-bought empanada wrappers (available in the freezer section of many supermarkets and specialty food stores) work well, too.
Tuna and Green Olive Empanadas
![Tuna and Green Olive Empanadas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/sW6DQfMZ7TZ5uqOwJBh8yueD1R4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tuna-and-green-olive-empanadas-xl-r-200405-6a0a13da081b47078f09947b66fa159f.jpg)
This recipe is made easy with the use of store-bought puff pastry. You'll end up with more filling than is needed for the empanadas — use the leftover to top crostini or toss with pasta.
Mini Panamanian Beef Empanadas
![Mini Panamanian Beef Empanadas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/ciU9ep7W0cgwvCqZP-b_yzEnphA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/200905-xl-mini-panamanian-beef-empanadas-f456fd1a540a45c992df0b1629c0cea0.jpg)
Ground beef and cilantro fill these flaky, savory small-scale pastries. They can be baked instead of fried if you prefer.
Beef and Onion Empanadas
![Beef-and-Onion Empanadas](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/P6djnDsEzs8hUK80SexAzSW1WL4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201406-xl-beef-and-onion-empanadas-20a1025ea8394d0ab7cba2899694d794.jpg)
© Fredrika Stjärne
These traditional Argentine empanadas from chef Francis Mallmann are filled with a mixture of ground beef, smoked paprika, green olives, and cumin, then baked until golden.