Empanadas are one of the most widely sold handheld pastries in bakeries, cafés, and takeaway food businesses across the United States and Canada. Defined by their folded dough and sealed fillings, empanadas are designed as individual portions that are easy to handle, display, and serve.
While empanadas may appear similar to turnovers or hand pies, they differ in size, usage, and commercial application. From savory and sweet fillings to breakfast and regional styles, empanadas are categorized in several ways that directly affect how they are prepared, sold, and packaged in food service environments.
This guide breaks down the most common types of empanadas, explains how they are classified, and highlights why they remain a staple product in bakery and takeaway operations.
- The Ultimate Guide to Pastry Filling: Types, Recipes, Techniques, and Expert Tips
- How Bakeries Use International Cuisine to Boost Pie Sales
- Types of Pie Crust: Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Pie Crust
What Is an Empanada?
An empanada is a handheld, individual-sized filled pastry made by folding dough around a savory or sweet filling, then baking or frying it. Empanadas are commonly sold in bakeries, cafés, food counters, and takeaway food businesses, where portability and portion control are essential.
Unlike traditional pies that are baked in large pans and sliced for sharing, empanadas are self-contained, designed to be eaten by hand, and served as single portions. This makes them especially suitable for grab-and-go service and retail food environments.
Why Empanadas Are Popular in Bakeries and Takeaway Food Businesses
From a commercial food perspective, empanadas remain popular because they:
- Are sold as individual portions
- Require no cutting or plating
- Hold their shape during handling
- Work well for display cases and takeaway service
- Can be produced in multiple flavors with the same dough base
These characteristics explain why empanadas are widely offered across bakeries and cafés in both the United States and Canada.
How Empanadas Are Classified
Empanadas are generally classified using four main criteria:
- Filling type (savory, sweet, or breakfast)
- Cooking method (baked or fried)
- Regional style (based on country or culinary tradition)
- Size and serving context (mini vs regular)
This classification helps food businesses organize menus, pricing, and production more efficiently.
Savory Empanadas
Savory empanadas are the most common type found in commercial bakeries and takeaway menus.
Beef Empanadas
Beef empanadas are among the most widely recognized varieties. They typically contain seasoned beef combined with onions and spices. In bakery settings, they are often baked for consistent shape and easier handling.
Chicken Empanadas
Chicken empanadas use shredded or diced chicken and are often lighter in flavor. They are commonly positioned as lunch items or café snacks.
Cheese Empanadas
Cheese empanadas focus on melted fillings such as mozzarella or blended cheeses. They are popular vegetarian options and are usually baked to maintain structure during service.
Ham and Cheese Empanadas
This variety combines cured meat with cheese and is frequently offered as a breakfast or all-day snack option.
Related blog: Savory Pie: The Ultimate Guide to Hearty and Flavorful Creations
Sweet Empanadas
Sweet empanadas are typically sold as dessert items or café pastries.
Fruit Empanadas
Fruit empanadas may contain apple, berry, or mixed fruit fillings. They are visually appealing and commonly displayed in bakery cases.
Apple Empanadas
Apple empanadas often include spiced apple filling and are similar in concept to hand pies, but sealed and folded like traditional empanadas.
Strawberry Empanadas
Strawberry empanadas are usually made with fresh or jam-style fillings and are popular for takeaway dessert menus.
Dulce de Leche Empanadas
Filled with caramelized milk, dulce de leche empanadas are commonly found in Latin-style bakeries and dessert counters.
Breakfast Empanadas
Breakfast empanadas are designed specifically for morning service in cafés and bakeries.
Egg and Cheese Empanadas
A classic grab-and-go breakfast option, often paired with coffee service.
Sausage Breakfast Empanadas
These include sausage combined with eggs or cheese and are positioned as heartier breakfast items.
Vegetarian Breakfast Empanadas
Vegetarian versions may include eggs, cheese, potatoes, or vegetables, offering meat-free alternatives for breakfast menus.
Regional Types of Empanadas
Regional styles influence dough type, fillings, and preparation methods.
- Argentine Empanadas: Typically baked and sealed with decorative folds, commonly filled with beef or chicken.
- Mexican Empanadas: Often fried and available in both sweet and savory versions.
- Colombian Empanadas: Usually fried and made with corn-based dough, filled with meat and potatoes.
- Chilean Empanadas: Generally larger in size and baked, with hearty fillings.
Related blog: Types of Pie: The Ultimate Guide for Cafés and Bakeries
Baked vs Fried Empanadas in Commercial Settings
| Aspect | Baked Empanadas | Fried Empanadas |
|---|---|---|
| Common in bakeries | Yes | Less common |
| Easier to package | Yes | More challenging |
| Display-friendly | Yes | Limited |
For most bakeries and cafés, baked empanadas are preferred due to easier handling, storage, and presentation.
Empanadas vs Turnovers vs Hand Pies
Although similar in appearance, these pastries differ in usage:
- Empanadas: Sealed, handheld, often savory, bakery-friendly
- Turnovers: Frequently made with puff pastry, often sweet
- Hand pies: Broad category that includes multiple styles
Empanadas are typically positioned as snack or meal items, rather than plated desserts.
Mini Empanadas vs Regular Empanadas
Mini empanadas and regular empanadas serve different purposes depending on how and where they are sold.
Mini empanadas are typically used for:
- Catering menus
- Corporate or private events
- Sampling trays and tasting portions
- Party platters or shared appetizers
Their smaller size makes them ideal for high-volume service and multi-item presentations, especially when customers are expected to try several flavors at once.
Regular empanadas, on the other hand, are designed as:
- Single-portion items
- Grab-and-go meals
- Retail bakery or café products
They are commonly sold individually and positioned as a full snack or light meal rather than a tasting item.
From a commercial perspective, the difference between mini and regular empanadas is not just portion size, it directly affects packaging requirements, including box dimensions, stacking efficiency, and presentation during takeaway or delivery.
Businesses that offer both formats often test packaging alongside portion size to ensure empanadas remain intact, visually appealing, and easy to handle across different sales channels.
Empanadas in Bakeries, Cafés, and Takeaway Food
Empanadas are a popular menu item in bakeries, cafés, and takeaway food businesses because they combine convenience with versatility. Their enclosed structure makes them easy to display, transport, and consume without utensils.
In commercial food environments, empanadas are especially valued for:
- Portion consistency, which simplifies pricing and inventory control
- Ease of handling, reducing service time during busy hours
- Efficient service flow, particularly in grab-and-go or takeaway models
Because empanadas are handheld and self-contained, they fit naturally into bakery display cases and takeaway operations. However, presentation and protection during transport still matter — especially for filled or freshly baked empanadas that need to retain shape, warmth, and visual appeal.
Packaging plays a key role in this stage of the customer experience. The right empanada box helps prevent leakage, protects delicate crusts, and supports branding without overwhelming the product itself.
Choosing the right packaging for empanadas can impact presentation, heat retention, and takeaway performance. If you’re testing empanadas for retail sale, catering, or café service, sampling packaging first allows you to evaluate fit, structure, and handling before placing a larger order.
GET A SAMPLE EMPANADA BOX TODAY!
Frequently Asked Questions About Empanadas
What are the most popular types of empanadas?
Beef, chicken, cheese, and fruit-filled empanadas are among the most common.
Are empanadas baked or fried?
They can be either, but baked empanadas are more common in bakeries.
Are empanadas considered pies?
They are similar but differ in size, serving style, and usage.
Why are empanadas popular for takeaway food?
Because they are individual, portable, and easy to handle.
Conclusion
Empanadas remain one of the most versatile and widely used handheld pastries in bakeries, cafés, and takeaway food businesses. From savory and sweet fillings to breakfast and regional styles, the variety of empanadas allows food operators to serve different customer needs using a single, efficient product format.
Because empanadas are sold as individual portions and designed for grab-and-go service, they are especially well suited for retail food environments where consistency, handling, and presentation matter. Understanding the different types of empanadas helps food businesses make better decisions around menu planning, production, and service setup.
As empanadas continue to be a staple item across North America, their role in bakery and takeaway operations remains strong both as a customer favorite and as a practical product for daily service.
