Description
Poblano cream cheese empanadas deliver a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired delight packed with rich, smoky flavors and creamy textures. Crispy golden pastry embraces a luscious filling that promises a delectable culinary journey you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 poblano peppers, roasted and diced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Dough:
- 1 package empanada dough
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 400F (200C), preparing a perfect environment for golden, crispy empanadas.
- Carefully dice fresh poblano peppers into small, uniform pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution throughout the creamy filling.
- Combine the chopped poblanos with smooth cream cheese and shredded Monterey Jack, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are evenly integrated and create a cohesive, tangy filling.
- Lay out empanada dough and carefully spoon the pepper-cheese mixture into the center of each circular section, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Gently fold the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape, and meticulously press and crimp the edges to create a tight seal that prevents any filling from escaping during baking.
- Arrange the prepared empanadas on a lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow even heat circulation.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a rich, golden-brown exterior that signals a perfectly crisp and delectable pastry.
Notes
- Roast poblano peppers over an open flame or under the broiler to enhance their smoky flavor and make skin removal easier.
- Chill the cream cheese mixture before filling empanadas to prevent leaking and ensure easier sealing.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup simple.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional wheat dough with gluten-free empanada wrappers or make your own using alternative flour blends.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 399 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 438 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg