Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden baked empanadas filled with mashed Andean potatoes and melted cheese, served alongside a vibrant spicy chimichurri sauce. This latin american-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 90 minutes turns all-purpose flour, (113g), cubed cold unsalted butter, cold water into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 60 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: To make the dough, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Step 2: Gradually add 1/3 cup cold water, mixing gently until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, boil 3 medium peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Stir 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese into the mashed potatoes and season with salt to taste.
  5. Step 5: For the chimichurri, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
  6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 5-inch circles.
  7. Step 7: Place 2 tbsp potato-cheese filling in the center of each circle, fold over, and press edges with a fork to seal.
  8. Step 8: Arrange empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  9. Step 9: Serve warm empanadas with the spicy chimichurri sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (60 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Andean Potato and Cheese Empanadas with Spicy Chimichurri vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes