- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- EthnicFoodSpanish
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every April 8
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥟
National Empanada Day arrives every April 8, inviting everyone to celebrate the beloved pastry pocket. Originating in Galicia, Spain, these delightful parcels are now enjoyed in countless variations across over 30 countries. Gather your friends and family to explore new fillings, try a local empanaderia, or bake a batch at home!
Want to sponsor National Empanada Day? Learn how
Expected National Empanada Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Empanada Day often brings delicious deals from national and local eateries. Look for specials at Latin American restaurants, bakeries like Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, or even grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s which might feature ready-to-bake options. Fast-casual chains like Pollo Tropical or Pio Pio could offer discounts on their popular empanadas. Keep an eye on local food trucks and independent empanada shops like Nuchas in NYC or Gaucho Parrilla Argentina for unique flavors and special offers. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 8 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Empanada Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalEmpanadaDay. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your favorite empanadas, from classic beef to sweet guava and cheese.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalEmpanadaDay. Film a quick recipe tutorial, a taste test of different empanada fillings, or a ‘where to find the best empanadas’ mini-vlog.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalEmpanadaDay. Ask your community to share their favorite empanada spots or homemade recipes, fostering lively discussions.
National Empanada Day Hero
The Galician Bakers
History of National Empanada Day
An empanada is a type of fried or baked pastry with Spanish origins. The name is derived from the Spanish term ‘empanar,’ which literally translates to ‘enbreaded,’ meaning coated in bread. The dough or bread used for making empanadas is stuffed with tasty fillings of meat, vegetables, and in some cultures, fruit. The dish is also popular in Latin American and southern European countries.
The exact origins of empanadas are linked to Portugal and Galicia (Spain.) The pastry made its first appearance during the Moorish invasions in Medieval Iberia. In 1520, a cookbook featuring Catalan, Arabian, French, and Italian food had seafood-filled empanadas listed as one of its recipes. It is widely believed that empanadas and its similar cousin, the calzone, are both inspired by samosas — a triangular-shaped pie popular in Arab and South Asian cultures.
In Portugal and Spain, empanadas are prepared by cutting a large pie into pieces, so that it can be enjoyed on the go. Portuguese and Galician empanada fillings include sardines, tuna, other types of seafood, and sometimes pork, in a sauce prepared from tomatoes and garlic.
National Empanada Day timeline
The first evidence of an empanada dates back to Ancient Persia.
During the time of the Moorish invasions, empanadas start to appear in medieval Iberia.
The first recipe for empanadas is published in a Spanish cookbook in Catalan.
The Spanish present their recipe for the empanada to the Aztecs and Mayans.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Empanada Day
Local restaurants, particularly Latin American and Spanish eateries, can celebrate National Empanada Day by offering special deals on their most popular empanadas or introducing limited-edition flavors. Bakeries and cafes might feature sweet empanada options or offer DIY empanada kits for home cooks. Food trucks specializing in international cuisine can highlight their unique empanada offerings, encouraging customers to try new varieties and explore the diverse world of this pastry pocket.
National Empanada Day FAQs
When is National Empanada Day?
In 2027, National Empanada Day is celebrated on Thursday, April 8, offering another fantastic opportunity to indulge in this versatile dish. Plan your culinary adventure early for this delicious observance.
How many types of empanadas are there?
The sheer diversity of empanadas is staggering, with estimates suggesting well over a hundred distinct styles. From the baked, flaky pastry of Chile to the fried, corn-based dough of Colombia, the culinary landscape of empanadas is rich and ever-evolving, reflecting local ingredients and traditions.
What does 'empanada' mean?
Derived from the Spanish and Portuguese verb ’empanar,’ the term ’empanada’ directly translates to ‘wrapped in bread.’ It refers to the method of cooking where food is covered or wrapped in dough, a culinary technique found in many cultures worldwide.
What is the difference between an empanada and a pastel?
An empanada generally denotes a baked or fried dough pocket with various fillings, popular in Hispanic cultures. A pastel, particularly in Brazilian cuisine, refers to a smaller, often rectangular, deep-fried pastry with a very thin, crispy crust. The distinction lies mainly in regional terminology, size, and preparation style.
National Empanada Day Activities
Go out to eat!
Sometimes it's best to leave things to the professionals. This is especially true if your area has a thriving Latin American or Caribbean community. But even if it doesn't, there's no reason to fear—just stumble into a place that offers fried pie (yes, it counts).
Make Your Own at Home
The biggest problem you'll run into here is finding a recipe—there are so many good ones! This isn't to say that you can't experiment and add your own fillings. However, you'll probably want the support of a buddy or two. Aside from helping with prep and clean up, the extra mouths will ensure that you leave the table on your own two feet. Getting rolled away like empanada dough probably isn't the look you're aiming for.
Share Your Pics on Social Media
Yes, sharing food pics on social media has been done to death. But it's a special day, so why not make an exception? Whether it's a work of art or just a “piece of work”, you'll put a smile on someone's face. Also, if you and your friends tried making empanadas from different countries, it could be interesting to compare the results. Just remember that it's all in good fun, and that there are no winners or losers...except for the people who forgot about this glorious day.
5 Tasty Facts About Empanadas In Different Cultures
It has many variants
Every region of Argentina has its own version of empanadas.
Empanadas are the center of attention
In Argentina, empanadas are served as a starter or main course at get-togethers and parties.
Synonym for empanadas
In Belize, empanadas are known as panades.
Empanadas are important in Chile
In Chile, empanadas are consumed in large quantities, especially during the country’s national days.
The pastry shell has different recipes too
Traditional Venezuelan empanadas are made with ground corn dough.
Why We Love National Empanada Day
Empanadas are the perfect finger food
They come wrapped in an edible, flaky container, which means you don't need pesky utensils. Doesn't matter if you're at a restaurant or food truck, every bit of goodness will safely reach its destination (psst, that's your mouth). Best of all, they're a breeze to share with your friends...but no one's saying you have to do that.
They make a mean dessert
Most people are aware of the meat and cheese variety, but you can stuff empanadas with pretty much anything. This could be sweet potatoes, peaches, or even guava paste. Of course, in these cases they tend to resemble more of a puff pastry. In Bolivia, they like to have the best of both worlds. There you can find salteñas that are filled with a sweet and spicy soup. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, we'll take them off your hands (strictly for research purposes).
There's endless variety
Remember, more than 30 countries have their own version of empanadas, so you're bound to find one that fits your taste. If you can't live without peanuts, you might want to check out Colombia—parts of the country add peanuts and top things off with an aji sauce. Or maybe you can't decide between noodles and bread? In that case, Indonesia has you covered, as their local variety comes chock full of potatoes, carrots, chicken, and glass noodles.
Social Media Tips for National Empanada Day
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