The Easiest Sourdough Discard Beef, Rice & Cheese Empanadas
If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for delicious ways to use up that sourdough discard. Last night, I threw together these incredible Beef, Rice, and Cheese Empanadas, and let me tell you they were an absolute hit! Not only are they packed with flavor, but they are also incredibly easy to make using some of my favorite non-toxic kitchen essentials. Plus, cooking them in the air fryer means you get that perfect, satisfying crunch without deep frying in inflammatory seed oils.
The Kitchen Setup: Keeping It Clean & Easy
Kitchen tools that make dinners like this so effortless. If you've been following my clean living journey, you know I’m very particular about the cookware I use.
1.The Rice: I always use my Instant Pot for perfectly cooked rice in a fraction of the time. It’s a staple in my kitchen for meal prep.
2.The Beef: I browned the ground beef in my Stainless Steel Pan. Ditching non-stick Teflon for high-quality stainless steel is one of the best non-toxic swaps you can make for your kitchen!
3.The Bake: Instead of baking or deep frying, I used my Our Place Air Fryer. It cooks these empanadas to crispy perfection in just about 12 minutes.
Sourdough Discard Empanada Dough (Makes 8)
The star of the show is this simple, 4-ingredient sourdough discard dough. It rolls out beautifully and crisps up perfectly in the air fryer.
Dough Ingredients:
•480g Sourdough discard
•120g High-protein flour (I love using Ballerina Farm!)
•40–60g Olive oil (Start with 40g and add a little more if the dough feels too dry)
•4–6g salt
•Splash of water if needed to bring the dough together
Filling Ingredients:
•Cooked ground beef
•Cooked rice
•Shredded cheese
•Optional: Add a dash of cumin, garlic powder, or your favorite clean taco seasoning to the beef! I used this ENCHILADA sauce!
Instructions: How to Make Them
1. Prep the Filling:
First, cook your rice in the Instant Pot. While that’s going, brown your ground beef in your stainless steel pan. Once cooked, combine the beef, rice, and shredded cheese in a bowl and set aside.
2. Make the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine your sourdough discard, high-protein flour, olive oil, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. If it feels a bit dry or crumbly, add a tiny splash of water until it comes together smoothly.
3. Divide and Roll:
Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball out until it is very thin.
4. Fill and Fold:
Scoop your beef, rice, and cheese mixture into the center of each rolled-out dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape.
5. Seal the Edges:
Press the edges tightly together to seal the empanadas. You can pinch them with your fingers or use a fork to crimp the edges securely so no cheese escapes during cooking!
6. Air Fry to Perfection:
Place the empanadas in your Air Fryer. Cook at 400°F for about 12-14 minutes. Flip halfway. Make sure to keep an eye on them. (cooking times can vary, so pull them out whenever they reach your desired level of golden, crispy perfection).
Serve these hot with a side of clean salsa, organic sour cream, or fresh guacamole. They are cozy, filling, and such a fantastic way to utilize your sourdough discard without spending hours in the kitchen.
If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram! And don't forget to check out my Amazon Storefront for all the non-toxic kitchen gadgets that make clean cooking a breeze.
More Non-Toxic Resources
If you are looking for more of what I use and love, here are the best places to find everything in one spot:
🛒 Amazon Storefront — Full list of clean skincare, beauty, and home favorites, organized by category. Shop here →
🛍️ LTK Page — All my go-to clean beauty finds, makeup looks, and everyday outfits. Browse here →
🎥 YouTube Channel — Weekly videos with routines, product reviews, and clean living deep dives. Watch + subscribe →
