Vegan Empanada Dough Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide

Empanadas are a beloved treat across many cultures, offering a perfect handheld delight filled with savory or sweet fillings. For those embracing a vegan lifestyle, finding a dough recipe that is both tender and sturdy enough to hold delicious fillings can be a challenge.

Luckily, this vegan empanada dough recipe is here to change that! Made with simple plant-based ingredients, it yields a flaky, soft, and easy-to-work-with dough that bakes to golden perfection.

Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a party appetizer, or just a cozy snack, these empanadas will impress everyone, vegan or not.

The best part? This recipe avoids any animal products, relying on pantry staples like flour, plant-based butter, and a touch of vinegar for tenderness.

It’s straightforward, quick to prepare, and versatile enough to pair with a variety of vegan fillings. Ready to roll up your sleeves and create some delicious empanadas?

Let’s dive into the details!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan empanada dough recipe is a game-changer for plant-based cooks and anyone looking for a dairy-free alternative. Here’s why it stands out:

• Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples you likely already have.
• Perfect Texture: Achieves a flaky, tender crust without eggs or dairy.
• Easy to Work With: Rolls out smoothly and holds shape well for crimping.
• Versatile: Ideal for savory or sweet fillings, from spiced vegetables to fruits.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Dough can be refrigerated or frozen for later use.

Plus, it’s a fantastic base if you want to explore more vegan baking adventures after trying this out!

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vegan butter, chilled and cubed
• ⅓ cup cold water (more if needed)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Pastry cutter or two forks (for blending butter)
• Rolling pin
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel
• Round cutter or a small bowl (about 4-5 inches diameter) for shaping dough circles
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional, for easy cleanup)
• Fork (for crimping edges)

Instructions

1. Prepare the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until evenly combined.
2. Cut in the vegan butter. Add the chilled, cubed vegan butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
3. Add liquid ingredients. Mix the vinegar into the cold water. Gradually pour the liquid into the flour and butter mixture, stirring gently with a fork until the dough just comes together. If the dough seems dry, add a teaspoon more cold water at a time.
4. Form the dough ball. Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until smooth. Form the dough into a ball without overworking it to keep the texture tender.
5. Chill the dough. Wrap the dough ball tightly in plastic wrap or cover with a kitchen towel. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the butter and rest the gluten.
6. Roll out the dough. After chilling, divide the dough into two equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion out to about ⅛ inch thickness. Use a round cutter or bowl to cut out circles for your empanadas.
7. Fill and shape. Place your desired vegan filling (such as spiced veggies, beans, or tofu scramble) in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges together. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal completely.
8. Bake or fry. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Alternatively, fry in hot oil on medium heat until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
9. Cool and serve. Let empanadas cool for a few minutes before serving to allow fillings to set slightly and avoid burns.

Tips & Variations

“For a flakier crust, keep the butter extra cold and handle the dough as little as possible.”

• Want to add an extra buttery richness? Try substituting vegan butter with coconut oil, chilled and solid.
• Add herbs like oregano or cumin powder to the dough for subtle extra flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, experiment with a gluten-free flour blend, but note the texture will differ.
• Use this dough to make mini empanadas perfect for appetizers or party snacks.
• Try steaming instead of baking or frying for a soft, dumpling-like texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Empanadas are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of sides and dips. Consider serving them with a fresh salsa, guacamole, or a spicy vegan aioli for dipping.

For a complete meal, pair your vegan empanadas with a vibrant salad, such as a quinoa and black bean salad or a crisp cabbage slaw. You might also enjoy these alongside some Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating to keep things light and nutritious.

Looking to experiment more with vegan cooking? Check out our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves or indulge in a sweet treat with our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious.

Conclusion

This vegan empanada dough recipe offers a perfect balance of tender flakiness and sturdy structure, making it an ideal base for countless delicious fillings. It’s simple to prepare, uses accessible ingredients, and is adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Whether you’re new to vegan baking or a seasoned pro, this dough will quickly become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Empanadas are more than just food; they are a celebration of culture, family, and creativity. With this recipe, you can enjoy the traditional experience with a plant-based twist, perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on your own.

Don’t forget to explore more exciting vegan recipes and keep your kitchen inspired and delicious!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Empanada Dough Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A simple and flaky vegan empanada dough perfect for savory or sweet fillings. Made with basic pantry ingredients for an easy plant-based treat.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT0M”, “totalTime”: “PT15M”, “recipeYield”: “8 empanadas”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 cup vegan butter, cold and cubed”, “3/4 cup cold water”, “1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar”, “1 tablespoon vegetable oil”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, mix flour and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cut in cold vegan butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine water, vinegar, and oil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Gradually add liquid to flour mixture, stirring until dough forms.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Knead gently on floured surface until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes before using.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “150”, “proteinContent”: “2g”, “fatContent”: “7g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20g”}}