This post has been compensated by Frick’s Quality Meats; however, all opinions are my own.
Sweet meets savory in these delightfully crispy, golden-brown Ham and Swiss Empanadas—the quintessential party appetizers. They’re stuffed with melty Swiss cheese and smoky ham and have a unique twist—a slightly sweet shell thanks to turbinado sugar! Whip them up for your next gathering, and watch them disappear!
Ahh yes, ham and cheese. Cheese and ham. Tuck the two between two slices of bread or throw the combo in a tortilla, eggs, casserole…pretty much anything, and you’re good to go. But have you tried the duo in empanadas?
My sister has a friend who makes killer Ham and Swiss Empanadas. And rightfully so. She’s from Argentina, and I’m pretty sure she makes the dough from scratch. One thing that makes them so incredible is the sugar that she sprinkles on top of each one. The delightful mix of savory with a sprinkling of sweet just takes her empanadas to a whole new level.
So I had to create my own easier version at home. Because I’m all about quick and easy when it comes to food—especially appetizers that I make for a crowd. My Ham and Swiss Empanadas are stuffed with dreamy, melty Swiss cheese and hearty chunks of ham, all in a crispy, flaky pastry shell. And not just any ham you can grab at your local deli, mind you. I’m talking about high-quality, delicious Frick’s Quality Meats Smoked Ham. Let me tell you—I’ve tried Frick’s Turkey Drum and Smoked Ham and they’re absolutely incredible. They’re fully cooked, cured with pure cane sugar, and lovingly slow-roasted over hardwood. Plus, they’re never frozen, which means amazing flavor and freshness for you. In addition to the taste, the other thing I love about the Smoked Ham is it’s pre-sliced. What could be easier?
AND it’s so super yummy. Like, even my 18-month-old daughter scarfed it up.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little teary eyed when I planned to make a sandwich with it and realized my family had already finished it off. If you’d like to order some and experience it for yourself, check out the Frick’s site. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Frick’s ham is essential for whipping these Ham and Swiss Empanadas up in a flash. Another thing that makes them super easy is you don’t have to make the dough from scratch. I mean, you can if you want. But if, like me, you want to spend more time chatting with friends and family and less time puttering in the kitchen during your next shindig, you can use puff pastry dough or even pre-made pizza dough. For these, I used puff pastry dough I had in my freezer.
Ready to see just how easy these Ham and Swiss Empanadas are to make?
First, cut the sliced ham into chunks.
Then, if you weren’t able to find shredded Swiss cheese (I can relate cuz I couldn’t), shred yours in a food processor.
Mix the ham and Swiss together in a bowl and set it aside. Next, roll your partially thawed pastry dough onto some parchment paper. Using a round cookie cutter or lip of a glass, cut out circles.
Place about 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) of the ham and cheese mixture into the center of each round.
Carefully fold the bottom of the dough up, over the filling. Seal the edges with the tines of a fork.
Brush each empanada with the egg wash and then sprinkle each with the turbinado sugar.
Bake them for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re crispy and golden-brown.
Serve them immediately, and watch them disappear before your very eyes!
- 1 cup Frick's Quality Meats Smoked Ham, diced
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed until soft enough to shape
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp water
- Turbinado sugar
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine ham and cheese.
- Stretch out pastry dough sheets and use a round cookie cutter or rim of a glass to create 9-inch circles.
- Place about ⅛ cup (2 Tbsp) of ham mixture onto center of each round. Fold up from the bottom, then seal the sides with the tines of a fork.
- Brush each empanada with egg wash, then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and golden-brown. Enjoy!
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