Caramelized Plantain and Black Bean Empanadas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-08 · Updated 2026-04-08

Flaky pastry pockets filled with sweet caramelized plantains and savory black beans, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors in every bite. This Puerto Rican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs Green plantains, Black beans, Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Ingredients

• 3 medium Green plantains
• 1 can (15 oz) Black beans
• 1/4 cup Onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Cumin
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Cold butter
• 1/4 cup Ice water
• 1/4 tsp Salt

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel and slice 3 medium green plantains into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add plantains, and cook for 8 minutes until golden brown on both sides. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Drain and rinse 1 can black beans. In the same skillet, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, add 1/4 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 1/2 tsp cumin and 1/4 tsp salt, then add black beans and cook for 5 minutes until flavors meld.
3. Step 3: For pastry, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/4 cup ice water, mixing until dough comes together.
4. Step 4: Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a 6-inch circle on a floured surface. Place 2 tbsp black bean mixture and 1 tablespoon caramelized plantain slices in the center of each circle.
5. Step 5: Fold dough over filling, crimp edges with a fork, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden brown and crisp.