Quick Halloween Recipe: Guava Empanadas

That Look a Little Like Apples 😉

A fun, easy Latin dessert made with Goya empanada discs — festive, fruity, and kid-approved.

Explore more Latin recipes in our Recipes Blog for inspiration year-round.

Why You’ll Love This Quick Halloween Recipe

Looking for an easy Halloween dessert that brings Latin flavor and spooky charm to the table? These guava-stuffed empanadas are your go-to. They’re made with Goya empanada discs, filled with sweet guava paste, and shaped almost like pumpkins — but if we’re being real, they come out looking more like adorable little apples 🍎. And honestly? We love them even more for it.

Growing up, Halloween wasn’t really celebrated in my house — my mom, being very religious, believed it wasn’t something we should take part in. But that didn’t stop my cousins and me from sneaking around at midnight, tossing eggs at passing cars and giggling the whole way through.

Now, I’ve made Halloween my own. I dress up, host friends, and use food as a way to play. These empanadas are my way of bringing Latino sabor to the spooky season — no tricks, just treats.

Ingredients

• 1 pack of Goya frozen empanada discs, thawed

• ½ cup guava paste, cut into small cubes

• Cinnamon Sticks (for the “stem”)

• 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)

• Optional: Pumpkin- or apple-shaped cookie cutter, or use a paring knife

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each Goya disc slightly to widen.

• Using a cookie cutter or knife, cut each disc into a pumpkin (or apple!) shape.

• Place a small cube of guava paste in the center of half of the cutouts.

• Top with the other half, pressing edges to seal. Use a fork if you want that rustic look.

• Insert a cinnamon stick at the top for the stem — it brings the look together.

• Brush with egg wash for a glossy golden finish.

• Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden and puffed.

🎃 Real Talk: We aimed for pumpkins, but they turned out looking more like apples. And guess what? That just made them cuter.

Make It Your Own

• Spicy Twist: Swap guava for picadillo to make it savory

• Shape Shift: Try ghost or bat cookie cutters for spooky variety

• Kid-Friendly Fun: Let little ones help seal and decorate

Pair these treats with a gift from our Gift Collection.