Delicious, flakey, and stuffed full of beef, these freezer friendly beef empanadas are the perfect snack! Prep these freezer friendly beef empanadas ahead of time, freeze them, and then pop them into the oven whenever you’re ready to eat them!
Disclaimer, this recipe post was developed in collaboration with Canola Eat Well. All opinions are my own, thank you for supporting the brands who support me!
Last week, I was sharing how I was spending the evening with Canola Eat Well for a Tap(as) into The Pintxos Challenge lead by Chef Rob Bragagnolo. I learned how to break down an octopus (I know, I gasped too haha) and got to learn more about canola oil. Canola oil is a proudly made in Canada product and I even got to meet Jeannette, a farmer from Alberta! We got to chat and learn about the importance of technology in farming.
Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well 
Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well 
After the octopus, we got to team up and compete for the best tapas dish and Yvonne and I came in third! Not bad for someone who spent most of the time “sampling” the ingredients haha. Anyways, after learning about how to test the seeds (yellow = good, green = immature seeds/caused by frost), we got to chow down!
Photography by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Canola Eat Well
Chef Rob Bragagnolo made these delicious chicken empanadas with aioli that I’m pretty sure I ate 3 of so yesterday, I when I was craving some, I busted out some puff pastry dough and made my go-to freezer friendly beef empanadas. They may or may not be as good as Chef Rob Bragagnolo’s but they hit the spot for me!
Before we get to the recipe, I just wanted to explain why we use canola oil and why it’s so popular with the chefs in Toronto.
Freeze the sheet of unbaked empanadas until solid, then transfer into a freezer bag. Frozen empanadas will keep for up to three months and can be baked straight from the freezer. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Fully baked empanadas can also be frozen, though they lose a bit of their flaky texture.
Use these directions for making empanadas with other fillings; for example, turkey empanadas made with leftover chopped turkey (2–3 cups), gravy, assorted veggies and your choice of seasoning. You might even top them with leftover cranberry sauce!
These empanadas are delicious as a main dish or an appetizer. If youre feeding a small number of people, bake one empanada right away and freeze the other one for later.
choose canola oil because it’s local, healthy, versatile!
- Canola oil is a good source of vitamins E and K and is packed with omega 3 fats
- It has half the saturated fats than olive oil
- Canola oil has a very netural flavour so it takes on whatever flavour you put in it. For example, you can make a delicious herb or spice infused oil just by combining the two!
- It’s Canadian!
Quick And Easy Empanadas That You Can Make Ahead And Freeze! #2023 50
FAQ
How do you flash freeze empanadas?
Can you prep empanadas the night before?
How do you keep empanadas crispy?
Can you freeze empanadas?
Happily for everyone, yes, you can freeze empanadas! Whether they are baked or fried, they can be safely frozen without affecting taste or quality. How to Freeze Empanadas? To freeze empanadas, you must wait until they have cooled completely after cooking. If you have fried the empanadas, rest them on some paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
Can You refreeze empanadas after thawed?
It is generally not recommended to refreeze empanadas once they have been thawed. Refreezing can compromise the quality and safety of the empanadas by potentially allowing the growth of harmful bacteria and affecting their texture.
How do you store empanadas in a freezer?
Maximize Space: Arrange your labeled and wrapped empanadas in a way that maximizes the available freezer space. Use shelves, drawers, or designated storage bins to keep them organized and prevent overcrowding. Avoid Crushing: Be mindful of how you stack or store your empanadas.