Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas
Flaky, golden pastry pockets filled with sweet guava paste and creamy cheese, a popular Puerto Rican snack perfect for gatherings. This puerto rican-inspired recipe ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cubed cold butter, ice water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup, cubed cold butter
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1/2 cup, softened guava paste
- 4 oz, crumbled queso fresco
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water egg wash
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup cubed cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/4 cup ice water, processing just until dough forms a ball.
- Step 2: Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6-inch circle. Place 2 tablespoons guava paste and 1/4 ounce crumbled queso fresco in the center of each circle, then fold over to form a half-moon shape.
- Step 3: Seal edges with a fork, brush with egg wash, and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and flaky, rotating pans halfway through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (45 min prep + 25 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 Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas?
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 Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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.
What goes well with Popular's Guava and Cheese Empanadas?
Puerto Rican mains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Puerto Rican come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to desserts dish. We make it weekly.
