Oven-Baked Keto Empanadas
User Reviews
5
Oven-Baked Keto Empanadas
Description
This recipe combines a spiced ground beef mixture cooked with onion, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika, then enclosed in a pliable fathead dough made from melted mozzarella and cream cheese blended with almond flour and egg. The dough is rolled to a thin layer between parchment sheets and cut into rounds, which are filled and sealed before baking in a moderate oven.
The dough yields a slightly sticky but elastic crust that crisps up in the oven while remaining tender and rich from cheese. The filling offers a savory, well-seasoned taste with a moderate spice level, typical of empanadas but adapted for a keto diet by using almond flour and cheese in the crust.
These empanadas are best enjoyed fresh from the oven but can be refrigerated for several days or frozen up to three months. Reheating is recommended at low microwave power to maintain texture without drying.
Ground pork or darker ground poultry meats can substitute the beef if desired. Traditional edge crimping is optional due to dough stickiness.
Ingredients
Filling:
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ½ pound ground beef 85/15, lean
- 1 onion finely chopped; 4 ounces, small
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced, fresh
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Dough:
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded, part-skim, 6 ounces
- 1 ounce cream cheese cubed
- ¾ cup almond flour blanched, finely ground; 3 ounces
- 1 egg large
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion and cook, stirring to break down the beef into small pieces, until the beef is no longer red, for about 4 minutes. Drain.
- Return the drained beef mixture to the skillet. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring, for 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- To make the fathead dough, place the mozzarella in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Place the cubed cream cheese on top. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir with a rubber spatula, then microwave for 30 more seconds. Stir again, then mix in the almond flour as best as you can - the dough won't come together yet. Add the egg and mix well with the spatula, then use your hands to work the batter into a smooth, elastic, slightly sticky dough.
- Place the dough between two parchment sheets and roll it to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut as many 3.5-inch circles as you can using a cookie cutter or a wine glass. Re-roll the scraps and cut more circles. You should be able to get about 12 circles.
- Place the dough circles on the prepared baking sheet. Place a heaping tablespoon of the beef mixture on one half of each circle, leaving a ½-inch border, then fold the dough over to make a half-circle and pinch the edges closed.Alternatively, Place a heaping tablespoon of the beef mixture on one circle, top it with another circle, and pinch the edges closed. This will naturally create fewer empanadas.
- Bake the empanadas for 10 minutes. Carefully turn them over and bake them for 8-10 minutes longer, until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Skipping the traditional fork crimp on the empanada edges is fine because the keto dough is sticky and difficult to crimp neatly.
- Ground pork, dark ground chicken, or turkey can substitute for beef; avoid white meat as it tends to be too dry.
- Store baked empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave at 50% power, covered, to keep them moist.
- Freeze uncooked or cooked empanadas for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12empanadas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 293 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2half-circle empanadas | |
| Calories | 293kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Sodium | 378mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
