Copycat Taco Bell Caramel Apple Empanadas
Caramel Apple Empanadas have a tart and sweet filling wrapped in crispy, flaky dough. Make more than a dozen Taco Bell empanadas in 1 hour!
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts 2 crusts
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1 egg beaten
- Additional sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until it's fully melted. Let the apple mixture cool slightly.
- Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles of dough that are about 4 inches in diameter.
- Spoon about a tablespoon of the cooled apple mixture onto one half of each dough circle. Top the apple mixture with a drizzle of caramel sauce, being careful not to overfill the empanadas.
- Fold the dough over the apple and caramel filling to form a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the empanadas.
- Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with additional sugar.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown.
- Allow the empanadas to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
The type of apple used can impact the flavor of your empanadas. Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness which contrasts well with the caramel, but feel free to experiment with other varieties.
When filling the empanadas, be careful not to overfill them. Too much filling can cause the empanadas to burst open during baking.
If you don't have a cookie cutter or glass for cutting out the dough circles, you can also use a small bowl or lid and a knife.
This recipe uses refrigerated pie crusts for convenience, but you can certainly make your own pie dough if you prefer.
These empanadas are best served warm, but they can also be enjoyed at room temperature. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or microwave.
For an extra treat, serve these empanadas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 103cal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 75mg | Sugar: 9g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg