Empanada vs Pasty: What's the Difference?
At first glance, empanadas and pasties look remarkably similar.
Both are handheld pastries filled with savoury ingredients and baked until golden.
Because of this, many people assume they are essentially the same food from different countries.
But while they share a similar concept, empanadas and pasties come from very different culinary traditions.
Origins: Two Different Food Histories
The biggest difference begins with their origins.
| Food | Origin |
|---|---|
| Empanadas | Spain, later popularised across Latin America |
| Pasties | Cornwall, England |
Empanadas evolved from Spanish pastries influenced by Middle Eastern cooking traditions.
Pasties were created in Cornwall as practical meals for miners who needed portable food underground.
Shape and Structure
Empanadas and pasties also differ in shape.
| Feature | Empanada | Pasty |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Half-moon | Larger semi-circle |
| Edge | Decorative fold (repulgue) | Thick crimped edge |
| Size | Smaller portions | Usually larger |
Empanadas often feature a carefully folded edge known as repulgue, which helps seal the pastry and gives each region its distinctive style.
Pasties typically have a thicker crimp along the top edge.
Fillings
The fillings used in these pastries reflect their cultural backgrounds.
Typical empanada fillings
- beef
- chicken
- cheese
- vegetables
Traditional Cornish pasty filling
The classic Cornish pasty contains:
- beef
- potato
- onion
- swede (rutabaga)
Empanadas tend to offer more variety in fillings, while pasties follow a more traditional formula.
Cooking Method
Both foods are usually baked, but their pastry styles differ.
| Characteristic | Empanada | Pasty |
|---|---|---|
| Pastry | Thinner dough | Thicker pastry |
| Texture | Lighter bite | Heavier crust |
Empanadas often aim for a balanced ratio between dough and filling.
Pasties typically have a thicker crust designed to hold a substantial filling.
Portion and Eating Style
Pasties were historically designed as complete meals.
Empanadas, on the other hand, are often eaten:
- as snacks
- as part of a meal
- shared at gatherings
Because of their smaller size, several empanadas are often served together.
Why Similar Foods Appear Around the World
Empanadas and pasties are part of a global family of pastries that wrap dough around fillings.
To understand how empanadas fit into this global picture, read our guide to empanadas around the world and how Argentina compares to everyone else.
Other examples include:
- samosas in South Asia
- fatayer in the Middle East
- hand pies in the United States
Across cultures, this format proved practical because it creates portable, self-contained meals.
Two Different Traditions, Same Comfort
Although they come from different cultures, both empanadas and pasties share something important.
They are comfort foods.
Both combine pastry and savoury fillings to create a warm, satisfying meal that is easy to carry and share.
That simple idea is why versions of these pastries appear across so many cuisines around the world — and why empanadas have found such a natural home in Australian snack culture.
If you enjoyed this comparison, you might also like our breakdown of the meat pie vs empanada — another classic Australian food rivalry.
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