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Making pumpkin empanadas from scratch is easier than you might think, and it all starts with a simple dough and a sweet, spiced filling you can put together in your own kitchen.
If you’ve been wondering how to make pumpkin empanadas from scratch without any fancy equipment, you’re in exactly the right place.
These little handheld pies are soft, golden, and packed with warm pumpkin flavor, and once you learn the basic steps, you’ll be making them on repeat all season long.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pumpkin empanadas from scratch, from mixing the dough to sealing and baking each one, plus the tips that keep them from cracking or leaking.
Let’s get into it.
How to Make Pumpkin Empanadas From Scratch: The Basics
When you make pumpkin empanadas from scratch, you’re really making two things: a tender dough and a thick pumpkin filling.
Get those two right and the rest is just assembly.
1. Start With a Simple Empanada Dough
The dough for pumpkin empanadas comes together with flour, a little sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter or shortening cut into the dry ingredients.
Add cold water a spoonful at a time until a soft dough forms, then wrap it and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
That rest is what makes the dough easy to roll and less likely to shrink or tear when you shape your empanadas.
2. Cook the Pumpkin Filling Down
For the filling, cook pumpkin puree with brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of clove, and a little butter over medium heat until it thickens and holds its shape.
If you’re using fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it first, then cook it down the same way.
A filling that’s too wet is the number one reason pumpkin empanadas leak in the oven, so don’t rush this step.
3. Roll, Fill, and Seal Each One
Roll the rested dough out to about 1/8 inch thick and cut out 5-inch circles.
Spoon a tablespoon of cooled filling onto each circle, brush the edges with water or egg wash, fold it over, and press the seam closed with a fork.
That crimped edge doesn’t just look pretty, it also helps seal the empanada so the filling stays put while it bakes.
Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Empanadas Every Time
Once you know how to make pumpkin empanadas from scratch, a few small habits will take them from good to great.
1. Chill the Filling Before You Use It
Warm filling softens the dough and makes sealing tricky, so let it cool completely, or even chill it for an hour, before you start filling your empanada circles.
2. Don’t Overfill
A tablespoon of filling is usually plenty for a 5-inch circle.
Pile in too much and the empanada will burst open in the oven no matter how well you seal it.
3. Brush With Egg Wash for a Golden Finish
A quick brush of egg wash before baking gives homemade pumpkin empanadas that glossy, bakery-style shine.
Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top too if you want a little extra crunch.
4. Bake or Fry, Your Choice
Bake your empanadas at 375°F for about 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown for a lighter version.
If you prefer the classic fried pumpkin empanadas, fry them in an inch of oil until crisp and drain on paper towels.
How to Make Pumpkin Empanadas From Scratch Without Cracks or Leaks
The most common frustration when you make pumpkin empanadas from scratch is dough that cracks or seams that open up.
Keep your dough covered as you work so it doesn’t dry out, and press the seams firmly before crimping with a fork.
If a crack appears, patch it with a small piece of dough and a dab of water.
Also, don’t skip the rest and chill time for the dough, since cold dough holds its shape and bakes up tender instead of tough.
So, How Do You Make Pumpkin Empanadas From Scratch?
You make pumpkin empanadas from scratch by preparing a simple, rested dough and a thick, spiced pumpkin filling, then rolling, filling, sealing, and baking each one until golden.
With cold dough, cooled filling, and a good seal, your homemade pumpkin empanadas will come out soft, sweet, and full of warm fall flavor every single time.
Hope this post has helped you learn how to make pumpkin empanadas from scratch, and that your kitchen smells amazing very soon.