Empanada Baking Time in Electric Oven

Figuring out how long to bake empanadas in an electric oven depends on a few main things: the size of your empanadas, whether they’re fresh or frozen, and the oven temperature. Usually, empanadas bake for about 20 to 25 minutes at 375°F to 400°F. These times aren’t set in stone-you may need to adjust a little to get a crispy, golden crust and hot, well-cooked filling.

Empanadas are popular pastries from Latin America and other places, known for their crescent shape and savory or sweet fillings. While you can fry empanadas, baking them is less messy and still gives you a tasty crispy crust without extra oil. Knowing how to use your electric oven well will help you bake empanadas with beef, chicken, vegetables, or anything else, and get great results every time.

Best Baking Time and Temperature for Empanadas in an Electric Oven

There isn’t just one right answer for how long to bake empanadas. It’s more about using the right mix of time and temperature. Electric ovens give steady heat, which is good for baking empanadas. What you want is a finished pastry that’s golden brown and flaky, with a filling that’s warmed through but not dried out or leaking.

You may have to adjust for your own oven and the type of empanadas you’re making. Different recipes may call for slightly different temperatures or times, but all of them aim for a well-baked crust and hot filling.

Recommended Baking Times and Temperatures

For most regular-size, fresh empanadas, try preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). At this temperature, they usually need about 20 minutes to bake. If your recipe calls for 375°F (190°C), expect the baking time to be a little longer at about 20-25 minutes. Use the lower temperature if your empanadas are large or have a wetter filling because this helps the crust cook more evenly.

Some commercial empanadas, especially frozen ones, may suggest going up to 425-450°F (218-232°C) to get the filling hot faster. For homemade, stick with 375°F-400°F to get a crisp crust and thoroughly baked interior.

What Can Change Empanada Baking Time?

• Size and thickness: Smaller empanadas bake faster. Bigger or thick ones need more time (add 5-10 minutes if they’re large).
• Filling: Wet fillings might need more time so the dough cooks through. Drier fillings might be done sooner.
• Type of dough: Homemade dough could bake differently than store-bought.
• Your oven: Ovens aren’t always perfectly accurate. It’s a good idea to use an oven thermometer to check the real temperature.

How to Bake Empanadas: Step by Step

Baking empanadas is pretty straightforward. Just follow the steps below for the best results.

Step 1: Preheat Your Electric Oven

• Set your oven to 375°F or 400°F.
• Let your oven heat up fully-20 minutes should be enough. This makes sure the oven and baking sheet are hot when you put in the empanadas, which helps set the crust right away and prevents sogginess.

Step 2: Get the Baking Tray Ready

• Line your tray with parchment paper or a silicone sheet to keep empanadas from sticking and for easier cleanup.
• Arrange empanadas about an inch apart so air can move around them while baking, helping them cook and brown evenly.
• Brush the tops with egg wash (beat one egg with a little water) for shine and color. You can use just egg yolk for a richer color or egg white for a lighter look. If you’re out of eggs, brush with a little oil.

Step 3: Bake and Check for Doneness

• Bake for 20-25 minutes (fresh empanadas at 375°F-400°F).
• Check near the end of the baking time. The empanadas are done when the crust is golden and firm. For large batches or multiple trays, rotate trays halfway through.
• If your filling was raw, check that it reaches 165°F (74°C) in the center for safety, especially with meats. Usually, the filling is pre-cooked, so just look for a golden, crisp crust.

Signs Your Empanadas Are Ready

• Crust is golden brown (not pale or very dark).
• Edges are firm.
• Tap the top-it should sound a bit hollow.
• If you’re unsure, cut one open to check if the dough inside is cooked and filling is hot.

How to Bake Frozen Empanadas in an Electric Oven

Frozen empanadas are convenient for prepping ahead of time. You can bake them straight from frozen-no need to thaw. In fact, baking from frozen helps keep the crust crisp.

Should You Thaw Frozen Empanadas Before Baking?

No, most of the time you can (and should) bake them right from the freezer. Thawing can make the dough soggy as moisture seeps out of the filling. Baking direct from frozen helps the crust crisp up quickly.

Some instructions for store-bought cooked empanadas may suggest letting them sit out for an hour before reheating, but for raw frozen ones, bake straight from the freezer.

Baking Time and Temperature Adjustments for Frozen Empanadas

• Increase oven temperature by about 25°F over what you use for fresh empanadas (400-425°F is common).
• Bake 25-30 minutes for most standard frozen empanadas, or until golden and crisp.
• For store-bought ones, check the package. Some recommend 450°F for 15-20 minutes.

If your empanadas are large or loaded with filling, give them a few minutes more. Again, make sure the center reaches 165°F (74°C) for meat fillings.

Common Problems When Baking Empanadas in an Electric Oven

Even experienced bakers can run into hiccups. Here are some things that can go wrong and what to do about them:

Why Are My Empanadas Undercooked or Overbaked?

• Undercooked (pale crust, cold filling): Oven temp too low, not baked long enough, or too many empanadas crowded together on the tray.
• Overbaked (dark, burnt crust, dry filling): Oven temp too high or baked too long. Cheese empanadas are especially quick to overcook and leak.
• Check your oven with a thermometer and monitor well.

How to Fix Soggy or Burnt Empanadas

• Soggy: Filling is too wet or overfilled, tray overcrowded, or oven not hot before baking. Make sure fillings are well-drained and let the oven preheat fully before baking.
• Burnt: Give each empanada enough space on the tray, rotate tray halfway through baking, or cover them loosely with foil if they’re browning too fast while still baking inside. Dark baking sheets can also cause fast browning.

Empanada Baking FAQ and Quick Tips

Can You Bake Multiple Trays at Once?

• Yes, but don’t crowd the oven. Use both racks, but rotate trays halfway through (top to bottom, front to back) so they brown evenly since heat can be uneven in an oven.
• If your oven is small or you get uneven results, it’s better to bake one tray at a time for the best outcome.

What If My Empanadas Brown Too Fast?

• If you see the tops getting brown too quickly while the inside isn’t done, cover lightly with foil. This blocks some heat so the dough and filling can finish baking.
• If this happens early in baking, lower the oven temperature by 25°F. You may need to bake a few minutes longer.

Use these tips for a crispy crust, a well-cooked filling, and delicious empanadas every time you use your electric oven!