Easy Pumpkin Empanadas Recipe

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Yesterday I talked about what Day of The Dead was about and how we celebrated. There was also mention of delicious traditional recipes we like to make like Pan de Muertos and my favorite Pumpkin Empanadas.

Pumpkin Empanadas Recipes

There are a lot of other traditional recipes to make like Mexican Hot Chocolate, Sweet Cinnamon Rice, or Tamales. My personal favorite for this time of year is the Pumpkin Empanadas.

These Empanadas are super easy to make and tastes delicious. You can eat them hot, eat them cold, take them for a picnic or serve as breakfast. Here is how to make my favorite Day of the Dead Recipe.

Pumpkin Empanadas

Printable Recipe

Filling Ingredients:

  • 15 oz canned pumpkin (you can use Libby's)
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Empanada Dough Ingredients:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 cup water

Dough Instructions:


  1. In a large mixing bowl add flour, salt, and stir.
  2. Add chopped butter and incorporate into the flour until they are pea-sized.
  3. Add water. The dough should not be sticky and will be easy to handle.
  4. Wrap dough and place in refrigerator while you make the filling.


Filling Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan melt butter.
  2. Add brown sugar.
  3. Add pumpkin, spices, and stir till incorporated.
  4. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes, then let cool.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°



Ready for Assembling and Baking the Empanadas:

  1. Divide dough into 12 pieces.
  2. Roll on a lightly floured surface into the shape of a circle.
  3. Add 2 tbsp of cooled filling to the center of the circle.
  4. Add a small amount of whisked egg to the outer edges and fold over to make a half-circle.
  5. You can use a fork to bind both sides together or roll and pinch. Both look very nice
  6. Place on cooking sheet.
  7. Paint tops with egg wash and bakes
  8. for 15-18 minutes depending on oven.
  9. Take out when lightly golden.
  10. Serve by themselves or with some whipped topping.

What is your favorite empanada filling?