Delectable Fig & Cheese Empanadas

This post is sponsored by the Family Celebrations promotion at Publix. The opinions and text are all mine.

These delicious Fig & Cheese Empanadas are baked to perfection with a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Perfect to serve as fancy appetizers.

Delectable Fig & Cheese Empanadas

When we’re thinking about fancy appetizers, empanadas never seem to come to mind. They’re more perceived as “portable food,” but in reality, they are super versatile. 

I can make them for breakfast, snacks, appetizers, dinner, and even dessert! The only variation is their filling and their size. In this case, they are filled with toasted almonds, fig jam, and lovely Rizo Bros California Creamery Cotija cheese. 

If you love the combination of sweet and salty, then these empanadas are for you. The fact that they are encased in a lovely dough takes these flavors to another level.

In the oven, they brown up nicely and evenly. You can make them in advance, freeze, and then bake them when needed. Obviously, you can customize them to your liking by adding more cheese, less jam, omitting the almonds, etc.

Now let’s talk about the crimping. 

This is where you can do whatever design you’d like. If you’re not a fan of playing with dough, use a fork around the edges just to seal the empanada together.

We did a very simple design of just folding the joined ends towards the front. 

Then we brushed beaten egg all over the empanada and sprinkled yummy sesame seeds on top. 

Super easy and fun to make! My girls love the entire process. It’s one of those dishes where they offer their help from beginning to end. 

All the ingredients needed to make this recipe can be found at your local Publix and better yet, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, head on over HERE to check out the Family Celebrations promotion at Publix valid from 8/29/20 – 9/26/20, where you can save more than $44 on some of your favorite items! Or, you can head over to the store to pick up the coupon flyer in the sales kiosk at the front of the store OR ask customer service for a copy.

I LOVE Wesson Corn oil to make pastry since it has such a neutral taste. The 48 oz. size is $1 off during the Family Celebrations promotion.

Rizo Bros California Creamery Cotija cheese gives the perfect saltiness to contrast the fig jam. 

Don’t forget to follow Rizo Bros California Creamery on Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes. 

I hope you can try these Delectable Fig & Cheese Empanadas at home. If you do, please upload a pic on Instagram and tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet.

5 from 3 votes

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Fig & Cheese Empanadas

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Resting Time

10 mins

 

These delicious Fig & Cheese Empanadas are baked to perfection with a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Perfect to serve as fancy appetizers

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Latin

Keyword: empanadas, baked empanadas, easy dinners

Servings: 24 empanadas

Calories: 281 kcal

Author: Tiffany bendayan

Ingredients

For empanada Dough

• 4 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Water
• 3/4 cup Wesson Corn Oil
• 2 teaspoons Salt

For Filling

• 16 oz Rizo Bros California Creamery Cotija Cheese crumbled
• 17 oz Fig Spread
• 1 cup Slivered Almonds toasted

Topping

• 1 Egg slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup Sesame Seeds

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For empanada Dough

1. Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees F.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

3. In a mixer, add the flour and salt. Mix to combine

4. Add water and mix until a dough is formed

5. Pour in oil and mix until combined

6. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes

7. Place the dough on a flat surface and roll thinly

8. Cut out circles with a 4" diameter cutter

9. Fill with 2 teaspoons of fig jam, 2teaspoons Rizo Bros California Creamery Cotija Cheese and slivered almonds

10. With your fingers, spread a little water on the edges of the dough. This will help the 2 halves seal together

11. Fold your dough in half and crimp the edges

12. Brush the surface with the egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top

13. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tops are golden

14. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Fig & Cheese Empanadas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 281 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 24mg8%

Sodium 415mg18%

Potassium 91mg3%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 90IU2%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 128mg13%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.