Vegan Breakfast Empanadas
Vegan Breakfast Empanadas are crispy, flavorful finger food, snack, appetizer, or light meal. They have a crispy pastry shell and a delicious vegan cheesy tofu filling. Plus they can be made gluten-free, baked, oil fry, or in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Empanada Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
- 1/2 cup vegan butter chilled and cubbed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold water (more if needed up to 3/4 cup)
Vegan Pepperoni Filling
- 1 block Tofu extra firm and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small red onion finely chopped
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp cilantro finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp sazon replace for turmetic is another option
- 1/2 cup Salsa
- 1 cup vegan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
For the dough:
- Add flour and salt to a large bowl and mix well, add chilled and cubed vegan butter and cut it into the flour with a pastry cutter or a fork until the texture is crumbly.
- Add water, starting with 1/2 cup and adding one tablespoon at a time to form it into a ball of dough.
- Let it rest in the fridge for about 1 hour.
- Lay your dough down on a floured flat surface. Cut the dough in half and using a rolling pin roll out until it's thin but still sturdy.
- Cut roughly 4-inch circles and place on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.
For the filling:
- Crumble the tofu using your hands or a fork.
- In a medium saucepan heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add veggies and sauté until fragrant.
- Add tofu and seasonings, cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Fold tofu into salsa.
- To fill your empanadas, put a spoonful of tofu and vegan cheese in the center of your empanada circle. Do not overfill.
- Carefully fold and using a fork, press firmly around the edges to seal. **See video for reference.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
Air Fryer Method:
- For air frying, set up your fryer to 350 degrees. Place 4 to 5 empanadas inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 16 minutes flipping them in between. Make sure to read your air fryer instructions.
- Rest in a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve warm.
Oil Frying Method:
- In a medium pot or large pan, heat oil over medium heat. Fry the empanadas on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes each side.
- Rest in a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve warm.
Oven-Baked:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line up a tray with parchment paper.
- Place empanadas on the try. Bake them for about 18 to 20 minutes. Turning them in between.
- Rest in a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve warm.