Reheat baked empanadas in the oven at 170°C for 8 to 10 minutes for the best result. Air fryer at 160°C for 5 to 7 minutes is fastest. Microwave works if you must, but the pastry will go soft. Never reheat from frozen using microwave alone.
Empanadas reheat better than most people expect, but only if you use the right method. Here's the honest ranking, with the tradeoffs, from Pedro's Bondi kitchen.
Quick answer: pick your method
- Oven (best): 170°C fan-forced, 8 to 10 minutes on baking paper. Restores crunch.
- Air fryer (fastest): 160°C, 5 to 7 minutes, single layer. Excellent crunch, quicker.
- Microwave (emergencies): 30 to 40 seconds on medium power. Warm centre, soft pastry.
- Pan (surprisingly good): Dry pan on low, 3 to 4 minutes per side, lid on for the last minute.
Reheating baked empanadas from the fridge
This is the most common scenario. You baked a batch last night, they're in the fridge, and you want them for lunch.
Method 1: Oven (recommended)
- Preheat oven to 170°C fan-forced.
- Take empanadas from fridge. No need to bring to room temperature.
- Place on a tray lined with baking paper, spaced 2 cm apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Test with a light tap. Should sound crisp.
Why it works: the lower temperature warms the filling without over-browning the already-cooked pastry. You get back close to fresh-from-the-oven texture.
Method 2: Air fryer
- Set air fryer to 160°C.
- Place empanadas in a single layer. Do not stack.
- Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. No shaking needed.
- Check at 5 minutes. Some air fryers run hot.
Why it works: fast, efficient, and the fan re-crisps the outside. Better than a full oven if you're only reheating 2 to 4.
Method 3: Pan (underrated)
- Use a dry non-stick pan on low heat.
- Place empanadas flat side down for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip. Add a lid for 1 to 2 minutes to warm the filling through.
Why it works: the pan re-toasts the base beautifully. Slightly more attention needed, but arguably the best flavour on a beef empanada like Carnivore.
Method 4: Microwave (only when nothing else is available)
- Place empanada on a plate, no cover.
- Medium power (60 to 70 percent), 30 to 40 seconds.
- Rest 30 seconds before eating.
Honest tradeoff: the filling will be hot, but the pastry will soften and lose all crispness. Acceptable for a rushed office lunch. Not acceptable if you have five extra minutes and an oven.
To salvage: after microwaving, hit the empanada with 90 seconds in the air fryer or a hot pan. Recovers most of the crunch.
Reheating baked empanadas from frozen (if you froze leftovers)
If you have baked empanadas that were frozen after baking (a common family-box strategy), reheat like this:
- Straight from freezer to preheated 170°C fan-forced oven.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Check with a tap. Should sound crisp and firm.
Do not microwave from frozen. The outside will still be cold when the inside is molten. Uneven, unpleasant.
Reheating raw frozen empanadas
Argentum empanadas are delivered raw and frozen. Do not "reheat" them, bake them. Full method: How to bake frozen empanadas perfectly. 190°C fan-forced for 18 to 22 minutes, straight from the freezer.
Common reheating mistakes
- Too-high oven. 200°C or higher dries out already-cooked pastry.
- Microwave on full power. The filling explodes, the seal cracks, the pastry rubberises. Always use medium power.
- Wrapping in foil in the oven. Traps steam, softens the crust. Leave uncovered.
- Reheating twice. The pastry dries out and the filling loses moisture. Reheat once, eat immediately.
- Cold empanada, hot pan, high heat. Burns the outside, leaves the inside cold. Low heat and patience.
How long you can keep baked empanadas
- Fridge: Up to 3 days in a sealed container.
- Freezer (after baking): Up to 2 months. Wrap individually.
- Room temperature: Up to 4 hours. Beyond that, refrigerate.
Raw frozen empanadas have a longer shelf life: up to 6 months at -18°C. Full detail in our guide on empanada freezer storage.
Where Argentum fits
Argentum empanadas are made in Bondi Beach and delivered frozen across Sydney. Most customers bake the pack they need and freeze the rest. If you're building a rhythm around leftovers and reheats, the Weekly Family Box (30 empanadas, $132) covers a household of four for a week with reheat-ready portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to reheat empanadas?
The oven at 170°C fan-forced for 8 to 10 minutes is the best method. It restores crunch and heats the filling evenly. Air fryer at 160°C for 5 to 7 minutes is a fast alternative that produces similar quality.
Can you reheat empanadas in the microwave?
Yes, but the pastry will soften. Use medium power (60 to 70 percent) for 30 to 40 seconds. For a better result, follow up with 90 seconds in an air fryer or hot pan to restore crispness.
Can you reheat empanadas twice?
Not recommended. Reheating twice dries the pastry and dulls the filling. Reheat once, eat immediately. If you have leftovers after reheating, discard rather than reheat again.
How long can you keep baked empanadas in the fridge?
Up to 3 days in a sealed airtight container. Cool fully before refrigerating. Reheat at 170°C for 8 to 10 minutes.
Can you freeze baked empanadas?
Yes. Cool completely, wrap individually in baking paper, then bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen at 170°C for 15 to 18 minutes. Argentum's raw frozen empanadas keep longer, up to 6 months.
Do you need to thaw empanadas before reheating?
No. Baked-then-frozen empanadas reheat straight from frozen. Raw frozen empanadas bake straight from frozen. Thawing at any stage introduces moisture that softens the pastry.
Why do reheated empanadas go soggy?
Usually because they were covered, microwaved on full power, or reheated at too low a temperature. Reheat uncovered, on a lined tray, at 170°C fan-forced. If pastry is soft, hit them with 2 minutes in the air fryer at 180°C to re-crisp.
Final word
Oven at 170°C for 8 to 10 minutes is the answer 90 percent of the time. Air fryer for speed, pan for a beef empanada, microwave only when there is no other option. And never reheat twice.
For the full range delivered frozen across Sydney, start with the Chef's Box. Code FIRST5 gets you $5 off orders over $85.
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