How to make Empanadas de Pipian

Why cooks start here

Empanadas de Pipian is cooked the way Popayán cooks it — salt judged by hand, fat used generously, and the table set for sharing. This is the home version, written down the way a colombian family cook actually puts it on the table.

Empanadas de Pipian, hailing from the city of Popayán, are a cherished Colombian treat, often enjoyed at home where the family cook measures salt by instinct and applies fat with a generous hand. These empanadas are a staple on tables set for sharing, embodying the warmth and hospitality of Colombian home cooking without needing a special occasion to make an appearance. Bite into an Empanada de Pipian, and you're greeted with a crispy masa shell, yielding to a savory potato and peanut filling spiced with aji. The crunch of the fried exterior contrasts beautifully with the creamy, nutty interior, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that invite you to reach for another.