Irresistible 3-Ingredient Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas Recipe

Oh my gosh, you have to try these bacon cheeseburger empanadas – they’re my new obsession! I first made them for a casual game night last month, and let me tell you, they disappeared faster than I could refill the plate. My friends kept hovering near the oven waiting for the next batch. That perfect crispy crust gives way to all those glorious burger flavors – savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s like your favorite diner cheeseburger decided to put on its fancy pants and come to the party in a golden pastry wrapper. And the best part? They’re so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner!

Why You’ll Love These Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Listen, I don’t want to oversell these, but… okay, I totally do. These little pockets of joy have everything going for them:

• That crispy golden crust that shatters perfectly when you bite in? Absolute perfection. It’s like the best part of a fresh burger bun but way more exciting.
• The savory filling is pure comfort food magic – juicy beef, crispy bacon bits, and oozy cheese that stretches beautifully when they’re fresh from the oven.
• They’re easier than you think to make! With store-bought empanada dough, you’re basically just assembling delicious little packages of happiness.
• Every time I serve these, people lose their minds. They disappear faster than I can say “second batch coming right up!”

Seriously, what’s not to love? They’re like the ultimate upgrade to your regular burger night.

Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these crave-worthy empanadas come to life:

• 1 lb ground beef (I use 80/20 for the best flavor, but leaner works too)
• 6 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled (save that bacon grease!)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, packed (sharp cheddar is my go-to)
• 1 small onion, finely diced (trust me, it disappears into the filling)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (because everything’s better with garlic)
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground if you’ve got it)
• 1 package (10 count) empanada dough discs (look for them in the freezer section)
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water (for that gorgeous golden crust)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to make this recipe your own! Turkey bacon works great if you prefer it, and Monterey Jack or Colby cheese make delicious swaps for cheddar. Pre-shredded cheese is fine in a pinch (we’ve all been there), but I swear you can taste the difference when you grate it fresh. No empanada discs? Pie crust or puff pastry can stand in, though the texture will be slightly different. The key is making it work with what you’ve got!

How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning all those amazing ingredients into golden pockets of bacon cheeseburger goodness! Don’t let the fancy look fool you – these empanadas come together faster than you’d think. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be snacking in no time.

Cook the Bacon and Beef Filling

First things first – get that oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, let’s make the star of our bacon cheeseburger empanadas: the filling! Cook your bacon until it’s nice and crispy (I like to do this in the oven while it’s preheating – multitasking for the win!). Crumble it into bite-sized pieces once cooled.

Now, in that same pan (because bacon-flavored beef is everything), brown your ground beef with the onion and garlic. Drain any excess fat – we want flavor, not grease puddles! Mix in the crispy bacon and shredded cheese while the beef is still warm so everything gets nice and melty. Let it cool slightly before filling – hot filling makes soggy empanadas, and nobody wants that.

Assemble and Seal the Empanadas

Time to create our bacon cheeseburger pockets! Lay out your empanada discs and spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto one half of each circle. Here’s my golden rule: leave about a 1/2-inch border – overstuffed empanadas burst open in the oven, and we can’t have cheese explosions!

Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork. Press firmly – we’re sealing in all that deliciousness! If the edges won’t stick, dab a little water on them first. Pro tip: if you see any filling trying to escape during sealing, just scrape it off – better safe than sorry!

Bake to Golden Perfection

Almost there! Give each bacon cheeseburger empanada a quick brush with that beaten egg wash – this gives them that beautiful golden shine. Pop them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (trust me, cleanup is way easier) and into the oven they go for 20-25 minutes.

You’ll know they’re done when they’re beautifully browned and crisp – and when your kitchen smells like a burger joint in the best possible way. Let them cool just enough so you don’t burn your mouth (I know, the hardest part!), then dig in to that crispy, cheesy, bacony goodness!

Tips for Perfect Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

After making dozens (okay, hundreds) of these empanadas, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Cool that filling! Hot filling melts the dough before baking – give it 10 minutes to chill out first.
• Freeze like a pro: Assemble empanadas but don’t bake them? Freeze on a tray first, then transfer to bags. Bake frozen – just add 5 extra minutes.
• Egg wash magic: Don’t skip the egg wash! It gives that gorgeous golden color and satisfying crunch.
• Seal tight: Press fork edges twice – once isn’t enough to contain all that cheesy bacon goodness!

Follow these, and you’ll get perfect empanadas every single time. Promise!

Serving Suggestions for Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Oh, the possibilities with these empanadas! My absolute favorite way to serve them is with an array of dipping sauces – think creamy ranch, tangy ketchup, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. They’re perfect alongside a crisp green salad or some crunchy pickle spears for that full burger experience. For game days, I pile them high on a platter with little bowls of different sauces – watch how fast they disappear! And don’t forget napkins… things might get deliciously messy.

Storing and Reheating Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas

Here’s the best part – these empanadas keep beautifully! Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. When reheating, skip the microwave – pop them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back that perfect crispy texture. They’ll taste just-baked every time!

Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas FAQ

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common ones I get about these irresistible empanadas:

Can I air-fry these bacon cheeseburger empanadas?

Absolutely! Air fry at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes – just spray them lightly with oil first for extra crispiness. They come out perfectly golden and crispy, though you might need to work in batches depending on your air fryer size.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You bet! Assemble them up to a day before baking and keep refrigerated (covered tightly). Or freeze unbaked empanadas for up to 3 months – just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.

What’s the best dough to use?

While I love traditional empanada discs (find them in Latin markets or freezer sections), you can use pie crust in a pinch. The texture will be flakier rather than crisp, but still delicious!

How do I prevent the filling from leaking?

Two tricks: 1) Make sure your filling isn’t too wet (drain beef well!) and 2) Don’t overfill – 2 tablespoons max per empanada. And always seal those edges extra tight with a fork!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in each of these glorious bacon cheeseburger empanadas (keep in mind these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary depending on ingredients):

• Calories: 280 per empanada
• Fat: 18g (7g saturated)
• Carbs: 15g (1g fiber)
• Protein: 14g
• Sodium: 450mg

Not too bad for something that tastes like pure indulgence, right? Remember, nutrition varies based on your specific ingredients – this is just to give you a general idea. Now go enjoy that cheesy, bacony goodness!

Rate This Recipe

Tried these bacon cheeseburger empanadas? Let me know how they turned out – leave a star rating below and tell me what you think!

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