How To Store Cooked Empanadas

Store Cooked Empanadas

Empanadas originated in Latin and Filipino cultures but their popularity has spread throughout the world. They have a really crispy and flaky crust while the filling is irresistible. The only problem with cooked empanadas is that if you have leftovers and you store them the wrong way, they might lose all of their texture as well as flavour. Therefore, it is important to know how to store cooked empanadas so as to avoid such misfortunes. Below are a few methods you can use to store leftover cooked empanadas. Carefully follow them for the best results.

Contents

Store cooked empanadas in the freezer

NB: this is the best method for storing leftover cooked empanadas. This is because it really extends their shelf life for up to 3 months.

Step 1

In order to store cooked empanadas in the freezer you need to start by letting them cool down. This is because if you place cooked empanadas in the freezer while hot they might actually lose their texture. So in order to do that, simply place them on a cooling rack and let them cool down in a well-ventilated room.

Step 2

When the cooked empanadas have cooled down you need to wrap them individually using plastic wrap. This will help to prevent freezer burn from affecting them. Place them inside a freezer bag and let them freeze for about 2 hours.

Step 3

When the cooked empanadas have frozen, transfer them into a heavy duty freezer bag. Label the bag with the date in which you are placing them in the freezer. This will help you to recall when they are most likely to turn bad. The last step is to store cooked empanadas in the freezer. They can last for approximately 3 months.

NB: although the freezer helps to extend the shelf life of the cooked empanadas, it can sometimes compromise their texture. The crust of the empanadas might lose some of its flaky and crispy texture.

Store cooked empanadas in the fridge

NB: this is a good method of storing leftover cooked empanadas. However, it only preserves them for a short period of time. Therefore, only use this method if you are certain that you will eat your empanadas within 3 to 7 days.

Step 1

To store leftover cooked empanadas in the fridge start by letting them cool down on a cool rack. This is because if you store them while hot the crust might turn soggy. Furthermore, they might cause the temperature of the fridge to change thus, compromising the shelf life of other foods in your fridge.

Step 2

When the cooked empanadas have cooled down wrap them with plastic wrap. This will help to prevent moisture from getting inside. After wrapping them you should place them in a freezer bag or an air tight container.

Step 3

Place the wrapped cooked empanadas in the fridge. Leftover cooked empanadas that are stored in the fridge will last for approximately 3 to 7 days in the fridge. Therefore you need to consume them before they turn bad.

How to reheat cooked empanadas

Reheat cooked empanadas in the oven

NB: this is the best method for reheating leftover cooked empanadas. This is because it really helps to revive the texture of the cooked empanadas whilst preserving their taste. Furthermore, you can reheat a large number of empanadas in the oven as compared to when you use other methods.

In order to reheat cooked empanadas in the oven start by preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The next thing is to place the cooked empanadas on the oven grill rack or oven safe dish. Reheat the empanadas for 10 minutes in the oven and on the last 2 minutes you can cover them with aluminium foil. This will help to trap heat inside the empanadas. When the 10 minute time mark has passed you should check the temperature of the cooked empanadas. It should read 165F. Serve them immediately if they have reheated completely.

Reheat cooked empanadas in a toaster oven

NB: this is also another good method for reheating leftover cooked empanadas especially if you do not own an oven. However, you can only reheat a limited number of empanadas in the toaster oven as compared to when you use the oven.

When using the toaster oven to reheat cooked empanadas to have to start by placing the cooked empanadas on the toaster oven rack. Lay them side by side and not one on top of the other. The next step is to heat up the toaster oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the leftover cooked empanadas reheat for about 10 minutes in the toaster oven. After 10 minutes take a thermometer and use it to read the internal temperature of the empanadas. It should read 165F. If it is below that you can always place them back in the oven for a few minutes until they reach the desired temperature.

Reheat cooked empanadas on a stove

NB: this is good method for reheating empanadas but it requires you to keep a close eye on the cooked empanadas. This is mainly because they might start to burn if left unattended.

To reheat cooked empanadas on the stove you need to take a pan and place oil which is enough to refry the cooked empanadas. When the oil has heated up simply take the cooked empanadas and place them inside. Fry the empanadas for a few minutes until they achieve a nice golden colour. Be careful not to burn the empanadas.  When they are done remove them from the pan and place them on paper towels so that you can drain any excess oil before eating them.

Reheat cooked empanadas in the microwave

NB: this is the fastest method for reheating cooked empanadas but, it is not the best method for as it tends to sacrifice the texture and flavour of the leftover cooked empanadas.

In order to use this method start by placing the cooked empanadas on a microwave plate or safe dish. The next thing is to place them inside the microwave and reheat them on low to medium heat for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds you can remove them and check their temperature. If they are still cold then reheat them for another 30 seconds. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with their temperature.

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