Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas | www.floatingkitchen.net

Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas

Right after I hit the publish button on this post, I’m jumping in my car for a little road trip. And by “little” I mean “big”. Like 3,000 miles long. Just me, my dog, my trusty car and this beautiful country. And I couldn’t be more excited.

Are you cringing at that? I know a lot of people dread long car rides by themselves. But I secretly love them. I like the quiet and self reflection that comes from traveling alone. It provides a great opportunity to unplug, unwind and take in some gorgeous scenery. So if things are a little quiet around here over the next week, it’s probably because I’m in the middle of nowhere with a crappy internet connection. Or because I have a really great internet connection, but I want to pretend like it’s a crappy internet connection. Do you get what I’m saying?

I firmly believe that snacks are an essential component to any successful road trip. Because I don’t want to get hangry when I’m driving. It’s not safe. So in preparation of my trip, I’ve been stocking up on easy to eat items. About a month back, I made a batch of these Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas and I realized that they would be perfect travel food. They are hearty, satisfying and easy to eat with one hand. So I whipped up a second batch and they are currently tucked away in the cooler of my car, ready to be devoured at a moments notice (although I’ll be eating them cold, I highly suggest YOU eat them warm!).

Making empanadas is pretty straightforward and not nearly as time consuming or complicated as I had imagined. You can prepare the filling while the dough is rising. And once you get the hang of filling and folding them, it’s actually quite easy. I do encourage you resist the urge to over stuff the dough, because you don’t want the insides spilling out all over the place. And don’t worry if they aren’t all identical looking (see my photographic evidence!). That’s what makes them so endearing.

These Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas are great game day snacks. Or serve them with soup and a salad to turn them into a cozy Fall dinner that the whole family will love!

OK, I better get on my way. Make sure to follow along with me on Instagram to see what adventures await me and to see what else I’m eating along my trip!

Cheers,

Liz

Recipe adapted from Marcus Samuelsson via Better Homes and Gardens

Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas

Yield: Makes 22 empanadas

Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas

Ingredients

  • For the Dough
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cups shortening
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 2 1/2 - 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • For the Filling
  • 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup apples, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp. fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

  • For Finishing
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. water
  • About 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Make the dough. In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer. Pour the heated milk into the bowl of your stand mixer and add the shortening and butter. Let everything sit for 10-15 minutes, until the fats have melted and the liquid has cooled to 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir in the yeast and let everything sit for another 10 minutes.
  2. After 10 minutes, start mixing with the dough hook attachment on low speed. Gradually add in 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Once the flour is incorporated, beat the dough on medium speed for 5 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add in another 1-2 tablespoons of flour. Using your hands, shape the dough into a ball and then place it back in your mixing bowl. Cover the bowl loosely with a towel. Let the dough rise in a warm spot in your house until it has doubled in size, about 35-45 minutes.
  3. While the dough is rising, make the filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the sweet potatoes, apples, coconut milk, garlic and curry powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, covered, for about 12-15 minutes. The potatoes and apples should be very soft. Remove from the heat. Pour off any remaining liquid you may have. Then lightly mash the mixture with a fork. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Set aside.
  4. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and the water. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  5. Punch down the risen dough. On a well floured surface, roll the dough out into a long, thin log. Then cut the dough into 22 equal-sized pieces. Working with just a couple of pieces at a time, shape the dough pieces into balls. Then roll them out into 3 1/2- to 4-inch circles. Prick the surface of the dough with a fork, then brush the edges with the egg wash. Place a rounded tablespoon of the filling in the center of each dough round. Fold the dough in half and press the edges together, first with your fingers and then with the tines of a fork. Transfer the empanadas to your parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Continue working until all the empanadas have been formed.
  6. Bake the empanadas in your pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the tops with the egg wash. Then sprinkle with some of the shredded Parmesan cheese. Return the empanadas to your oven and bake for another 3 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese has melted . Remove from the oven and let the empanadas cool slightly on their baking sheets.
  7. Using a spatula, transfer the empanadas to a serving platter. Enjoy while still warm.
  8. Empanadas are best when eaten fresh from the oven. But they can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 1-2 days and re-heated before serving.
https://www.floatingkitchen.net/sweet-potato-apple-and-chickpea-empanadas/

32 comments on “Sweet Potato, Apple and Chickpea Empanadas”

  1. Empanadas are one of my favorite things to make .. love love love!! and your road trip sounds FABULOUS!!! When I lived in Seattle, I wish I did the coast to coast drive. It’s going to be beautiful and now following along on Instagram too!

  2. I love that you are road tripping solo (minus the dog and the trusty Volvo, and the snacks). Just started following you on IG… can’t wait to see your adventures!

  3. Have a beautiful trip, Liz! Enjoy your deliciously looking empanadas!

  4. You nailed it with these, they look so good!! Have a great trip! Nothing better than hitting the open road. Be safe!

  5. I hope you have a great time on your road trip, Liz! Can’t wait to see pictures! 🙂 These empanadas look like the perfect treat! I love that you filled it with both sweet and savory ingredients. Looks incredible!

  6. I have never made empanadas, but these look like the perfect place to start! Have a wonderful trip. I would love to do that myself 🙂

  7. Such an amazing combination! And empanadas…an absolute YES! Love that you made them from scratch.

  8. Wow!! That sounds like a blast to me. I love long road trips, and think they’re actually much better by yourself. I always have my small bladdered kids with me and end up stopping waaaay too often. These empanadas look and sound fantastic too. YUM!

    • I’m giggling over the “small bladdered kids” part of this. Being able to stop (or not stop!) whenever you want is certainly a perk to traveling alone!

  9. I can’t wait to follow this new adventure!! And let me know when you’re back – so we can finally get together. I’m a huge fan or road trips (this weekend’s is a solo trip only 6 hours each way), but I can’t wait! I’ll pack some empanadas for road trip food 😉

    • Thanks, Megan. 6 hours is still a good haul and certainly long enough to feel like you have “gotten out of town”. 🙂

  10. I always want to do a cross country road trip! I would love to see the beautiful country and eat all the delicious local food! Enjoy your trip! Your empanadas look amazing! Love those flavors!

  11. Travel safe! Sounds like you’ll have an amazing time. And these empanadas look so delicious!

  12. Have a great time on your trip! And yup, I am definitely one of those people who isn’t such a fan of road trips 🙂 haha And these empanadas look awesome!

  13. These look delicious, Liz, and have a wonderful trip! I love road trips, and think what you’re doing sounds incredibly fun!

  14. Definitely following along on Instagram! I want to do that drive myself one day. I’ve never made empanadas and I must make this fall one here! Love the filling and how easy they are!

    • Thanks, Zainab! The drive is certainly fun and I think it’s something that everyone should do once. This is my 4th time! I hope you try the empanadas!

  15. Safe travels! Can’t wait to see your pictures on Instagram 🙂

  16. I made this recipe last week. I put the filling in tart shells instead of making pastry for empanadas. Left out the cheese to make it vegan. Really tasty hot or cold.
    Thanks for the recipe!!

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