Lately, I’ve been having so much fun experimenting with 2-ingredient dough—that magically simple mix of self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. Ever since I made those personal muffin pan pizzas for lunch a while back, I’ve been hooked. There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning a couple of basic ingredients into something warm, cheesy, and delicious.
These air fryer bean and cheese empanadas are my latest success—and they couldn’t be easier. Inspired by a recipe from the Hungry Girl Air Fryer Recipes Magazine (affiliate link) (2024), they are the perfect combo of crispy on the outside and melty on the inside. I served mine with a little salsa and a simple green salad, and the whole meal felt both comforting and light—my favorite kind of balance.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Air Fryer Bean and Cheese Empanada?
According to my calculations, each serving has 243 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe or track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
Ingredients (with Substitutions & Tips)
Self-rising flour – The base of the 2-ingredient dough. Substitute with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour + 3/4 tsp baking powder + pinch of salt if needed.
Fat-free plain Greek yogurt – Adds moisture and protein. You can use low-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt. Regular yogurt may work but would require extra flour.
Fat-free refried beans – Use any refried beans you like—fat-free, regular, or even mashed black or pinto beans. Not all refried beans are vegetarian, so check labels if that’s a concern. Add taco seasoning or hot sauce for extra flavor if desired.
Shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend (I used cheddar) – Use any cheese you enjoy—cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or dairy-free. While already shredded cheese is easier, I often shred mine myself with a box grater (affiliate link).
How to Make 2-Ingredient Dough Bean and Cheese Empanadas, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather and prep your ingredients.
Step 2: Make the dough: In a medium bowl, combine the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. Stir until a dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead with a little extra flour for 2–3 minutes, until smooth and no longer sticky.
Step 3: Form the Empanadas: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each into a ball, then flatten into a circle about 6 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Spread half the refried beans over one half of each dough circle.
Step 4: Top with half the shredded cheese. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges with a fork to seal.
Cook the Empanadas: Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place the empanadas in the basket and spray the tops lightly with nonstick spray as well. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
Recipe Notes
- Flour your surface well. The dough can be sticky at first. Kneading with extra flour (a tablespoon or so) helps make it smooth and workable.
- No self-rising flour? Just use all-purpose flour and add 3/4 teaspoon baking powder plus a pinch of salt for every 1/2 cup.
- Customize the filling. Try adding sautéed veggies, taco-seasoned ground turkey, or scrambled eggs for variety.
- Don’t mix the filling. Save a dish! Just spread the beans directly onto the dough and sprinkle the cheese on top.
- No air fryer? Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
These vegetarian empanadas are super flexible! Here are a few fun ways to serve and enjoy them:
Sweet Version – For a treat, skip the beans and cheese. Fill with a spoonful of mashed banana, berries, or sugar-free fruit spread and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Air fry as usual and dust with a little powdered sugar or cinnamon after cooking.
With Salsa or Guacamole – Serve warm empanadas with a side of salsa, guacamole, or light sour cream for dipping.
As a Light Meal – Pair with a simple green salad or a cup of soup (like tortilla soup or veggie chili) for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Mini Empanadas for Snacks or Appetizers – Divide the dough into 4 smaller portions instead of 2. Roll each into a 3-4 inch circle, use about 1 tablespoon of beans and 1 tablespoon of cheese per empanada, then fold and seal as usual. Air fry for 7–8 minutes or until golden. Great for parties, lunchboxes, or game day!
Breakfast Twist – Fill with scrambled eggs, a bit of cheese, and salsa for a quick morning bite.
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In a medium bowl, combine the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. Stir until a dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead with a little extra flour for 2–3 minutes, until smooth and no longer sticky.
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each into a ball, then flatten into a circle about 6 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick.
Spread half the refried beans over one half of each dough circle. Top with half the shredded cheese. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges with a fork to seal.
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place the empanadas in the basket and spray the tops lightly with nonstick spray as well. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown and the dough is cooked through. No air fryer? Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
WW Points: 6
Check the WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app.
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
6 PointsPlus (Old WW Plan)
Flour your surface well. The dough can be sticky at first. Kneading with extra flour (a tablespoon or so) helps make it smooth and workable.
No self-rising flour? Just use all-purpose flour and add 3/4 teaspoon baking powder plus a pinch of salt for every 1/2 cup.
Customize the filling. Try adding sautéed veggies, taco-seasoned ground turkey, or scrambled eggs for variety.
Don’t mix the filling. Save a dish! Just spread the beans directly onto the dough and sprinkle the cheese on top.
No air fryer? Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
Serving: 1empanada, Calories: 243kcal, Carbohydrates: 30.5g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 5.5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 408mg, Potassium: 128mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 192IU, Calcium: 392mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Hungry Girl Air Fryer Recipes Magazine (affiliate link) (2024)
A note about WW Points
If you’re following Weight Watchers, all the recipes here on Simple Nourished Living have been updated for the new WW program, with points displayed in the recipe card. The Check the WW Points link in the recipe card takes you to the Weight Watchers App where you can edit it using the WW recipe builder or add it to your day.
(Must be logged into WW account on a mobile device, such as smartphone or tablet).
