8 Unique Plant-Based Empanada Recipes

With spicy kicks, fresh vegetables, and delicious variations, a vegan empanada is a quick and easy choice for vegans and non-vegans alike. The possible combinations for this Spanish finger food are endless. You can have a fiber-rich one packed with black beans, or maybe something pumpkin-spiced is more your style. Either way, there’s an empanada for everyone and as a result, they’re increasingly popular. We went through the Food Monster App and found some truly satisfying recipes for you to try. Yum!

1. Black Bean Empanadas With Pico de Gallo

Source: Black Bean Empanadas with Fresh Pico De Gallo

Travis Piper‘s Black Bean Empanadas with Fresh Pico De Gallo will make you feel like you’re cheating on your diet but in reality, it’s extremely healthy because of its components. Filled with black beans, red peppers, onions, and super fresh pico de Gallo, these empanadas are perfect for late dinners and leftover lunches, too. Due to its black beans, you’ll be sure to meet your fiber and protein goals for the day.

2. Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas

Source: Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas

Full of vegan cheese and the tastiest roasted red pepper flavor, Stephanie McKinnie‘s Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas are just as healthy as they are filling. The slaw adds a much-appreciated crunch. And the melted vegan cheese adds a warm and distinctive texture. Add a side salad for another crisp crunch and your meal is perfected.

3. Bacon Mac and Cheese Empanadas 

Source: Bacon Mac and Cheese Empanada

If you’re looking for a heavenly vegan breakfast option, then opt for Hannah Teson‘s Bacon Mac and Cheese Empanada. The only thing tastier than bacon and cheese is its vegan alternative. These vegan empanadas are warm and crisp while also remaining flaky; perfect for early morning reheating and on-the-go eating, which is just another reason to love these little breakfast bites!

4. Malaysian Curry Empanadas

Source: Malaysian Curry Empanada

Filled with curry puffs, chickpeas, baby peas, and coconut cream, Daphne Goh‘s Malaysian Curry Empanada is a slightly spicy, hearty alternative to rice curry or curry noodle meal. In addition to being perfect for breakfast, they’re also great for a midday snack. In Malaysia, curry puffs are a snack enjoyed by every person of all ages.

5. Pumpkin Spice Empanadas 

Source: Pumpkin Spice Empanada

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Larice Feuerstein‘s Pumpkin Spice Empanada. The crisp crust, cinnamon-infused apple filling, and tart cranberries create a guilt-free snack or meal for family and friends. If you’re searching for a last-minute party dessert idea or are in the mood for something sweet, this vegan empanada will surely satisfy every craving you have while keeping sugar levels down.

6. Black Bean and Squash Empanadas

Source: Black Bean and Squash Empanadas

This recipe by Alison Marras for Black Bean and Squash Empanadas may seem daunting, but the execution is easy. A wholesome buckwheat crust is stuffed with sweet roasted acorn squash and hearty black beans. These empanadas are the perfect thing to make for a potluck, where they’re likely to be the most unique food on the table.

7. Argentinian Empanadas, Two Ways 

Source: Argentinian Empanadas, Two Ways

Empanadas are an Argentinian specialty. They are soft doughy pockets of bread that are filled with a tasty mixture of vegetables and spices. This recipe by Ksenia Prints will give you two options for your filling: a hearty sweet potato and lentil filling or a savory mushroom and kale filling. Either way, you’re going to be happy with what comes out of the oven.

8. Mushroom and Seitan Empanadas 

Source: Mushroom and Seitan Empanadas

Empanadas are a universal entree that can carry any filling, even sweet. For savory empanadas you can choose from multiple options, however, this filling of seitan with mushrooms is one of the richest. In this recipe by Yana Chistyakova, in addition to the main ingredients, there are other vegetables, such as onion, pepper, and eggplant, hummus to add creaminess to the filling and nuts, such as raisins and nuts, to create textures and add a sweet and festive touch to the filling.

Although empanadas are pretty universal, they are a specialty in Latin cuisine, so if you’re in the mood for more foods like this, check out The Colorful Flavors and Aromas of Latin America With These 15 Vegan Recipes and 10 Classic Puerto Rican Foods Made Vegan!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend purchasing one of our many plant-based cookbooks or downloading the Food Monster App which has thousands of delicious recipes making it the largest vegan recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness of important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing that is designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!