Argentum Empanadas in Sydney makes one vegan empanada called The Patagonia, part of a five flavour Argentinian range made in Bondi Beach by Pedro. The filling is mushroom, spinach, kale, carrot, garlic, onion, and potato cheese, sealed in a green pastry dough. Delivered frozen across Sydney, baked fresh at home (190C, 18 to 22 minutes).
Vegan food has evolved far beyond simple salads and tofu bowls. Around the world, traditional dishes are being reinvented with plant-based ingredients, and empanadas are one of the best examples.
Originally from Spain and widely loved across Latin America, empanadas are small stuffed pastries filled with savoury ingredients and baked until golden. While many traditional versions include beef or chicken, vegan empanadas have become an increasingly popular alternative, and for good reason.
By using vegetables, herbs, and creative plant-based ingredients, vegan empanadas deliver the same satisfying pastry experience while appealing to vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for delicious plant-based food.
What are vegan empanadas?
Vegan empanadas are empanadas made without any animal products. Instead of meat or dairy fillings, they rely on vegetables, herbs, and spices to create flavour and texture.
Popular vegan empanada fillings include:
- mushrooms and caramelised onions
- spinach and fresh herbs
- roasted seasonal vegetables
- lentils or chickpeas
- potatoes and warming spices
- plant-based cheeses
Because empanadas combine a crispy pastry with a rich filling, they remain hearty and satisfying even without meat. In fact, many chefs find that vegetable-based empanadas create deeper flavour profiles, particularly when ingredients like mushrooms, garlic, and herbs are used together.
The pastry itself is typically vegan-friendly when made with oil or plant-based fat rather than butter or lard. It is always worth checking with the producer.
How are vegan empanadas different from traditional empanadas?
Traditional Argentinian empanadas are typically filled with seasoned beef, chicken, or ham and cheese. The pastry is sealed using a braided fold called a repulgue, which also signals the filling inside to the person eating it.
Vegan empanadas follow the same pastry tradition but swap the filling entirely. The result is a dish that honours the form and technique of Argentinian cooking while making it accessible to people who avoid animal products.
Some producers also use coloured dough to distinguish vegan empanadas visually, a practical touch that makes them easy to identify at a glance, especially when serving mixed groups. Argentum uses a green dough for The Patagonia for exactly this reason.
Why vegan empanadas are growing in Sydney
Plant-based eating is growing quickly across Australia. Consumers are increasingly looking for meals that are plant-based, flavourful and satisfying, convenient to prepare, and inspired by global cuisines.
Empanadas fit perfectly into this trend. They are easy to cook, ideal for sharing, and work equally well as a snack, lunch, or dinner. Frozen empanadas are particularly popular because they can be stored for months and baked fresh whenever needed.
In food-loving cities like Sydney, vegan empanadas are becoming a favourite among people exploring Latin American cuisine, whether they follow a plant-based diet full-time or simply want more variety in their meals.
The rise of convenient, freezer-friendly meals has also played a role. As more Sydneysiders look for quality food that fits into busy schedules, frozen empanadas have become a practical staple.
The Patagonia empanada: Argentum's vegan empanada
At Argentum Empanadas in Sydney, the vegan option is called The Patagonia. It is one of five active flavours in the range (Carnivore, Athlete, Classic, Patagonia, Habibi Yalla), and it is the only fully plant-based option in the line-up.
This empanada is inspired by the earthy flavours associated with the Patagonian region of Argentina, where vegetables and rustic cooking play a central role in the local food culture. Patagonia is known for its dramatic landscapes and simple, ingredient-led cuisine, a fitting inspiration for a plant-based empanada.
The Patagonia empanada contains:
- grilled mushroom mix
- spinach
- kale
- carrot
- garlic
- onion
- potato cheese
The mushrooms provide natural umami, the greens add freshness and depth, and the potato cheese brings creaminess and balance without relying on dairy.
The empanada is also visually distinctive thanks to its green dough and braided repulgue, the traditional Argentinian folding technique used to seal the pastry. The green colour makes it immediately recognisable on a platter, which is especially useful when catering for groups with mixed dietary needs.
Order it directly: Patagonia pack of 12. Or browse the full range at our empanadas.
Is The Patagonia empanada fully vegan?
Yes. The Patagonia from Argentum Empanadas is made entirely without animal products. The filling uses plant-based ingredients throughout, and the dough is made without butter or eggs.
It is also suitable for vegetarians and for anyone avoiding common allergens associated with meat-based fillings. If you are ordering for a group with mixed dietary requirements, The Patagonia is an easy choice, it stands out visually and delivers on flavour.
What about Argentum's other flavours?
The other four in the range are not vegan. The Classic is three-cheese and caramelised onion (vegetarian, not vegan). Carnivore is grass-fed beef brisket. Athlete is free-range chicken. Habibi Yalla is a spiced lamb option.
So if you want a fully plant-based option in the Argentum range, Patagonia is the answer. Vegan and Halal options are included for catering, so mixed groups are easy to handle.
How to cook frozen vegan empanadas at home
Frozen empanadas are designed to be simple to prepare. There is no defrosting required, you cook them straight from frozen.
Oven baking
- Preheat your oven to 175 to 180C
- Place empanadas on a lined baking tray
- Bake for approximately 18 to 20 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving
Air fryer
Air fryers produce a particularly crisp pastry and typically cook empanadas slightly faster than a conventional oven. Try 170C for 11 to 13 minutes and adjust based on your model.
Pan frying
For a more traditional texture, empanadas can also be pan-fried in a small amount of oil. This produces a crispier base and a slightly richer result.
For the full method across all 5 flavours, see how to cook Argentum empanadas.
Because they store well in the freezer for 6 months at -18C, vegan empanadas are ideal for quick weeknight meals, last-minute entertaining, or keeping on hand for unexpected guests.
Format: frozen, baked, or fried
Argentum Empanadas are delivered frozen for retail. You bake or air-fry at home. At weekend markets we bake AND fry in beef tallow, one of the healthiest frying fats. For catering, the format is your choice: baked, fried in beef tallow, or frozen for the venue to bake to order.
When to serve vegan empanadas
The Patagonia works well as:
- a quick and satisfying weekday lunch
- party food for birthdays, gatherings, and celebrations
- catering for corporate events and team lunches with mixed dietary groups
- a vegetarian or vegan dinner option
- freezer meals for busy weeks when you need something ready fast
- food for outdoor events, picnics, and market days
If you are planning an event and need catering that works for everyone, vegan empanadas alongside a selection of meat-filled varieties is a reliable approach. Browse the catering range for options designed for groups, or see vegan lunchbox ideas in Sydney for weekday inspiration.
Where to find vegan empanadas in Sydney
As plant-based food becomes more popular, vegan empanadas are appearing in more bakeries and specialty kitchens across Sydney. Quality varies significantly, the pastry, filling balance, and cooking method all affect the final result.
Argentum Empanadas produces small-batch Argentinian empanadas from a commercial kitchen in Bondi Beach and delivers across much of Sydney. The empanadas are made in Bondi Beach using traditional techniques and quality ingredients, with The Patagonia offering a plant-based filling inspired by the flavours of southern Argentina.
Because the empanadas are delivered frozen, they can be baked fresh at home whenever you want.
The minimum order is $85, equal to the Chef's Box, which is also the easiest starting point if you want a mix that includes Patagonia.
For a broader guide, see the best empanadas in Sydney guide. For ordering logistics, empanadas near me covers delivery, pickup, and market days. For wider Argentinian food in Sydney, see Argentinian food Sydney.
The story behind The Patagonia
Argentum Empanadas was founded to bring authentic Argentinian empanadas to Sydney, made in Bondi Beach with traditional techniques and quality ingredients.
The Patagonia is part of that commitment. Rather than treating the vegan option as an afterthought, it was developed as a full flavour experience in its own right, drawing on the earthy, vegetable-forward cooking of southern Argentina.
Why vegan empanadas are here to stay
Food trends come and go, but dishes that combine convenience, flavour, and cultural tradition tend to last. Vegan empanadas are not a passing fad. They are a natural evolution of a dish that has been loved for centuries.
They offer rich flavour from vegetables and herbs, convenient preparation from frozen, authentic Argentinian pastry tradition, and modern plant-based ingredients that suit a wide range of diets and lifestyles.
Whether you follow a vegan diet or simply enjoy exploring new foods, The Patagonia is a delicious way to experience one of Argentina's most iconic dishes.
Frequently asked questions
Are Argentum empanadas vegan?
One of them is. The Patagonia is the fully vegan empanada in the Argentum range, made without any animal products in the filling or the dough. The other four active flavours (Carnivore, Athlete, Classic, Habibi Yalla) contain meat or dairy, so they are not vegan. For mixed catering groups, Patagonia covers the vegan and vegetarian options.
What's in the Patagonia empanada?
Grilled mushroom mix, spinach, kale, carrot, garlic, onion, and potato cheese, sealed in a green pastry dough. Mushrooms bring the umami, the greens add freshness, and the potato cheese gives creaminess without dairy. Made in Bondi Beach. Delivered frozen across Sydney. Bake at 190C for 18 to 22 minutes from frozen.
Is the Patagonia dough vegan?
Yes. The Patagonia dough is made without butter or eggs. It uses plant-based fat instead of dairy or animal fat, so the whole empanada (filling and pastry) is fully vegan. The green colour comes from the dough itself and is what makes Patagonia easy to identify on a platter alongside the meat varieties.
Is the Classic empanada vegan?
No. The Classic is three-cheese and caramelised onion, so it is vegetarian but not vegan because of the cheese. If you are looking for a fully plant-based option in the Argentum range, the Patagonia is the only fully vegan empanada. Vegan and Halal options are included for catering on request.
How many vegan empanadas does Argentum make?
One. The Patagonia is the sole fully vegan flavour in the current Argentum range of five active empanadas (Carnivore, Athlete, Classic, Patagonia, Habibi Yalla). It is available in pack of 12 and as part of mixed catering boxes. The full range is at /collections/our-empanadas.
Where can I buy vegan empanadas in Sydney?
Argentum Empanadas delivers vegan empanadas (The Patagonia) across Sydney, ordered online and delivered frozen so you bake fresh at home. Minimum order is $85, equal to the Chef's Box. Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, CBD, North Shore, and South West are all covered. Markets and pickup locations also stock Patagonia.
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