When it comes to food for parties, avocados are top. Especially when they are in vegetarian empanadas. Soft, creamy, buttery. Avocados are king for so many reasons. They are evergreen, and can be used in so many recipes from salads to desserts.
Desserts? Yes, but that's the subject of anther post. My take on avocados today is Avocado, Black Beans, Queso Fresco Empanadas. Yes, a vegetarian dish. My veggie loving friends will be so happy with me.
Avocado, black beans, queso fresco empanadas are perfect for any celebration. Like Las Posadas, a Latin American celebration to the 9 days leading up to Christmas. Growing up, my neighborhood had celebrations that included snacks, beverages, and singing. Children would dress up as Mary, Joseph, and shepherds. I have great memories of those celebrations.
Avocados are available all year long and are great as a salad topping, or as a salad itself: slice up an avocado, sprinkle with Kosher salt, and drizzle it with balsamic vinegar. Voila! An easy, quick, not to mention nutritious salad. My daughter mashes up an avocado, sprinkles it with salt and pepper, and spreads it on her toast in the morning. The possibilities are endless.
Steps by step photos
- Gather your ingredients and have them chopped, measured and ready to go.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl place your black beans, red onion, cilantro, queso fresco, salt and chili powder.
- Peel the avocado and dice into small pieces about ⅛ inch cubes and coat with lime juice.
- Add the avocado to the black bean mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Roll out your pie crust and cut 3" circles.
- Place 1 Tbsp if the filling in the center of the circle.
- Fold over into a half circle and crimp with the tines of a fork.
- Brush each with egg wash (1 egg that has been beaten with 1 Tbsp of water). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Serve avocado, black beans, queso fresco empanadas as an appetizer, or you can make bigger ones to have as a simple dinner with a side salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long can I store the avocado black bean empanadas in the refrigerator? Once they have completely cooled you can store this in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place them in an airtight container or zip top bags.
- How can I reheat the empanadas? Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 10 minutes until warm in the center. I like to put them in my Cosori Air Fryer
for 5 minutes at 250°F. - Can I freeze the empanadas? Yes, you can freeze these for up to two months in an airtight container after they are completely cooled. Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 15 minutes or 10 minutes in an air fryer at 250°F.
Finally, share this recipe with your friends and family. They will love the wonderful flavors, and how easy this dish is to prepare.
If you want to bring the flavors of Spain to your home I have several great recipes to share with you.
Prueba de cerdo is a classic tapas dish of thinly sliced marinated pork that is grilled fast and is so easy to make.
Croquetas de jamón y pollo take a little effort but you will be rewarded with a delicious appetizer that is crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
If you visit bars in Spain one popular tapas dish is mushrooms in sherry sauce served on with nice crusty bread.
Empanadas are savory turnovers filled with meat or cheese. Most are fried but I like to cheat and bake mine using pre-made pie crust. Enjoy!
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Avocado, Black Beans, Queso Fresco Empanadas Recipe Card
Delicious vegetarian empanadas with avocado, black beans and queso fresco. A nice crunchy Latin pastry with creamy avocado filling! Que Rico!
Ingredients
- 15 oz pie crust refrigerated type, 2 full sized pie crusts
- 1 avocado diced
- 2 tsp lime juice juice, fresh squeezed
- ¼ cup black beans drained rinced
- 3 Tbsp red onion diced
- 2 Tbsp cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup queso fresco crumbled
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water (egg wash)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Unroll pie crust, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl place black beans, red onion, cilantro, queso fresco, salt, and chili powder.
- Peel the avocado and dice into small pieces, then sprinkle with lime juice.
- Add the avocado to the black beans mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Using a 3" biscuit cutter cut circles on the pie crust.
- Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each round. Fold over to create a half moon, and crimp around the edges with the tines of a fork. Place empanadas on parchment paper, and brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe Notes
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can I store the avocado black bean empanadas in the refrigerator? Once they have completely cooled you can store this in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place them in an airtight container or zip top bags.
- How can I reheat the empanadas? Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 10 minutes until warm in the center. I like to put them in my Cosori Air Fryer for 5 minutes at 250°F.
- Can I freeze the empanadas? Yes, you can freeze these for up to two months in an airtight container after they are completely cooled. Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 15 minutes or 10 minutes in an air fryer at 250°F.
Karly
Oh YUM! Love me some empanadas! These are the perfect new appetizer appetizer for all the holiday parties. Need to try these soon!
Analida
Hi Karly, yes, they are yummy and so easy to make. Your guests will love them.
gambty
I just got that important point you made, Avocados are actually green on the inside all year round.
Analida
You got it! And you can get avocados all year round too! 🙂
Rikke
Hi Analida. Do you have any tips for how to preserve avocados? I have a big avocado tree and for 3 month of year I have loads of avocados but the rest of the year I have to buy, and they are quite expensive here. If I could somehow preserve them in some form it would be awesome.
Analida
I have found a recipe online to preserve avocado but I have never tried it. Check this out and let me know what you think:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/ways-to-store-and-preserve-avocados-4039255
Candice
I love anything beans and cheese, and I love every empanada I've ever had. So these were a must to make. They came out great and were so easy. Love them, and I can't wait to make them again!
Colleen
We love empanadas and your filling sounds so delicious. I also like that you have kept it simple by using store bought pie crust. These will be perfect for our appetizer party.