Chilean alcayota jam empanadas are a delicious treat to enjoy any time of day, especially popular during Fiestas Patrias, made with alcayota, a fruit widely used across Latin America for desserts and sweets. They take about 50 minutes total and yield six servings.
To make them, you form a lightly salted empanada dough, fill it with sweet alcayota jam, and bake until golden brown, a classic dessert served at afternoon tea or as a light dessert.
How to Make Alcayota Jam Empanadas?
To prepare alcayota jam empanadas, you need to make a lightly salted empanada dough and fill it with alcayota jam, then bake it until golden brown.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of alcayota jam empanadas contains approximately 250 kcal, 35 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of fat, 4 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 15 g of sugars, 50 mg of cholesterol, and 150 mg of sodium. (*) Values may vary depending on the ingredients and portion sizes used.
Homemade Chilean Alcayota Jam Empanadas Recipe
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 500 g (17.5 oz) all-purpose flour
- 150 g (5.3 oz) margarine
- 100 ml water
- 2 cups alcayota jam
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 egg yolks (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Essential Tools
- Large bowl
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sifted flour with the powdered sugar and salt, then work in the margarine and mix until fully incorporated. Add the egg yolks and water, and mix until you get a smooth, uniform dough.
- Divide into 12 equal portions, roll them into balls with your palms, and set aside. Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin into a circle about 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, and place a tablespoon of alcayota jam in the center of each dough circle.
- Fold in half, seal the edges, and prick with a fork. Arrange the empanadas on a baking sheet and, if you like, brush with beaten egg yolk; bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20 minutes.
- Check that they’re golden brown, remove, and let cool to room temperature. Serve the alcayota jam empanadas freshly baked, optionally dusted with powdered sugar to taste, as a treat at afternoon tea or even as dessert.
Additional Tips
Cool the Filling Before Assembling
Make sure the jam filling is fully cooled before assembling the empanadas. If it’s warm or runny, it can moisten the dough and cause leaks during baking.
Use Cold Fat for a Flakier Dough
Use cold margarine or butter for a flakier, more flavorful dough. The final texture ends up closer to a sweet pie crust.
Chill Before Frying, If You Prefer Fried
If you’d rather fry these instead of baking, freeze the assembled empanadas for 30 minutes first and use very hot oil, since frying at a lower temperature risks the jam leaking out.
| Original Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Margarine | Cold unsalted butter | Gives a richer flavor with a similarly flaky texture |
| Alcayota jam | Quince or apple jam | Different fruit flavor, same filling technique |
| Egg yolk wash | Milk wash | Lighter color on the crust after baking |
| All-purpose flour | Gluten-free flour blend | Handle the dough gently, it will be more delicate |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use store-bought dough?
You can use ready-made empanada dough to save time. However, homemade dough with margarine turns out more tender and flaky, ideal for desserts. If using store-bought dough, choose the baking version.
2. Can they be fried instead of baked?
Frying isn’t recommended because the jam can leak out under the intense heat of the oil. Baking is safer and lets the dough turn crispy without absorbing grease. That said, if you still prefer them fried, freeze the empanadas for 30 minutes before frying and use very hot oil.
3. How long do they keep after baking?
At room temperature for 2 days in an airtight container, refrigerated for 5 days (reheat 5 minutes in a 160°C/320°F oven), and frozen for 1 month (thaw at room temperature and reheat).
Health Benefits of Alcayota
Alcayota is a low-calorie fruit rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating it may also help improve digestion and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Did You Know?
Alcayota is a very versatile fruit, popular across many Latin American countries, and its name is said to come from the Quechua word “allqay,” meaning “sweet.”
