This homemade guava cheese empanada recipe has that classic sweet & tangy flavor balance and requires just five ingredients. Made with flakey fried empanada dough, a cream cheese and guava paste filling and topped with powdered sugar, it’s a totally addicting sweet treat that’s perfect to enjoy as a dessert or snack.

guava cheese empanadas on a plate

Why We Love This Recipe

Guava paste and cheese is a classic combination you will find in many Latin and Puerto Rican recipes.

The unique flavor profiles of creamy smooth melted cheese and tangy sweet guavas is especially delicious when paired with flakey homemade empanada dough.

This dessert almost feels like you’re eating a Danish pastry, but with a much more complex filling. Plus, they come together with just 5 ingredients in only 30 minutes.

If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to also try these Pastelillos de Guayaba (guava pastries)!

guava cheese empanadas on a plate
guava paste, empanada discs, cream cheese and more

Ingredients

Five simple ingredients, let’s go!

Here’s what you will need:

Keep in mind if you want to bake the empanadas you can swap out the canola oil for an egg wash (made with an egg and some water).

See recipe card for quantities.

sliced guava paste on a cutting board

How to Make Guava Cheese Empanadas:

Tip: You can divide the guava paste and cream cheese easily by slicing in half and then into 8 sections of 2.

guava cheese empanadas on a plate

Similar Recipes

Here are some more of my favorite empanada recipes, as well as another Puerto Rican dessert that features guava paste & cream cheese:

You can also make your guava paste from scratch if you have an abundance of ripe guavas.

Cheese Variations

Because the ingredients in this recipe are so simple, there aren’t many variations to it. That said, you can always switch up the kind of cheese you use. Many Latin countries will use the combination of Swiss cheese with guava, but you can also use sharp white cheddar, havarti, or gruyere.

My mom’s favorite is white cheddar as it gives that delicious contrast of salty and sweet with the guava paste.

Storage

You can store these in an air tight bag or container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I like toasting any leftovers in the toaster oven or conventional oven before enjoying.

guava cheese empanadas on a plate

Empanada Dough Tips

If you’re using my empanada dough recipe you can either make it fresh and use it they day of, or make it in advance and freeze until ready to use.

If you decide to make in advance, freeze the discs in between pieces of parchment paper so they don’t stick together.

When ready to use, thaw fully before filling, closing, and frying.

You can also buy premade empanada dough discs.

guava cheese empanadas on a plate

Baked vs. Fried

You can also bake these empanadas if you don’t want to take the fried route.

Simply brush the empanadas with an egg wash made of an egg beaten with a tablespoon of water. From there you can bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

a hand holding a guava cheese empanada

More Puerto Rican Desserts

Buen Provecho,

the name Salima
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guava cheese empanadas on a plate

5 Ingredient Guava Cheese Empanadas

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  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 empanadas 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Snack, Breakfast
  • Method: Fried
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican, Latin
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This homemade guava cheese empanada recipe has that classic sweet & tangy flavor balance and requires just five ingredients. Made with flakey fried empanada dough, a cream cheese and guava paste filling and topped with powdered sugar, it’s a totally addicting sweet treat that’s perfect to enjoy as a dessert or snack.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Prep the filling. Slice the cream cheese into 16 equal sized slices. Do the same with the guava paste. Tip: You can do this easily by slicing in half and then into 8 sections of 2.
  2. Assemble the empanadas. Place a slice of cream cheese and a slice of guava paste into the center of each empanada disc. Fold the dough over to close the empanada. Seal with your hands or crimp with a fork.
  3. Fry (see note for directions to bake). Fry the empanadas in hot oil until golden brown all around. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  4. Serve. Serve with a sprinkle of confectioners sugar. Enjoy!

Notes

Baking Instructions: Brush empanadas with an egg wash and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.