If you’ve ever been to a Puerto Rican party, you already know.

Before the pernil is carved. Long before everyone grabs a scoop of arroz con gandules. By the time someone asks who’s taking leftovers home, the empanadillas are already gone.

They’re one of those foods that bring people together. You’ll find them at birthday parties, holidays, family cookouts, and Sunday gatherings. Everyone reaches for one, and somehow they disappear faster than anything else on the table.

At Phoenix Coqui, they’ve been on our menu since the day we opened, and they’re still one of our most popular items.

So… what exactly is an empanadilla?

What Is an Empanadilla?

An empanadilla is a handmade Puerto Rican fried pastry filled with savory ingredients, folded over, sealed by hand, and fried until perfectly golden and crispy.

The first thing you’ll notice is the crunch.

The second is the filling.

Every family has their favorite, but what makes a Puerto Rican empanadilla special is the flavor. We season every filling with Puerto Rican sofrito, adobo, and sazón. Every bite should taste like someone actually cooked it, not like it came out of a freezer.

That’s the difference.

Empanadilla or Pastelillo?

Now we’re getting into dangerous territory.

Ask ten Puerto Ricans what it’s called, and you’ll probably get eleven opinions.

Some call them empanadillas. Others swear they’re pastelillos. The funny part is… they’re talking about the exact same thing.

The difference is mostly regional. On one side of Puerto Rico you’ll hear empanadilla. On another you’ll hear pastelillo. Families living next door to each other may even use different names.

So why do we call them empanadillas?

Simple.

Here in Arizona, the word pastelillo usually makes people think of a sweet pastry because pastel means cake in much of the Spanish-speaking world (don’t even get us started on pasteles). We wanted people to know exactly what they were ordering: a crispy, savory Puerto Rican favorite.

Whatever you call them, your grandmother was probably right.

Where Do They Come From?

Like many Puerto Rican dishes, empanadillas tell the story of the island itself.

Their roots trace back to Spanish empanadas, but Puerto Rico made them its own. Over generations, our seasoning, cooking techniques, and local ingredients transformed them into something distinctly Boricua.

Unlike many baked empanadas you’ll find throughout Latin America, Puerto Rican empanadillas are fried. That crispy shell isn’t an accident. It’s part of what makes them unforgettable.

Our Five Fillings

Every empanadilla at Phoenix Coqui is made fresh using recipes inspired by Juan’s family and the flavors we grew up with.

Ground Beef
The classic. Savory Puerto Rican seasoned beef that’s rich, comforting, and exactly what most people picture when they hear the word empanadilla.

Beef & Cheese
Everything you love about the classic, but with cheese that makes every bite even better.

Chicken
Tender, flavorful, and seasoned with the same Puerto Rican spices that make our entire menu feel like home.

Cheese Pizza (Vegetarian)
One of our sleeper favorites. Mozzarella, pizza sauce, and a crispy, hand-braided shell that somehow makes pizza even more fun to eat.

Mushroom (Vegan)
Don’t order this just because it’s vegan. Order it because it’s delicious. Even guests who normally eat meat come back for this one.

Are They Gluten-Free?

We believe in being honest.

Traditional empanadillas use wheat flour, so they aren’t gluten-free.

Could we make a gluten-free version?

Maybe.

Would it still taste like the empanadillas we grew up eating?

Probably not.

Instead, if you’re avoiding gluten, we’d rather point you toward dishes that were naturally meant to be gluten-free, like our crispy Tostones or Yuca Frita.

Made Fresh Every Day

Our team handcrafts every empanadilla right here in our kitchen.

They prepare every filling from scratch, fold each one individually, and fry them to order.

It’s more work, but it’s the only way we know how to make them. That’s love.

Because when you bite into an empanadilla, you should hear the crunch before you even taste it.

Ready to Try One?

Whether you grew up calling them empanadillas or pastelillos, we think you’ll feel right at home.

Order one as an appetizer.

Grab two with our Empanadilla Meal Deal.

Or do what most Puerto Rican families do…

Order a few for the table and watch them disappear.

Wepa!

We’d love to welcome you to Phoenix Coqui and share one of Puerto Rico’s favorite comfort foods with you. We’re located at 4041 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015, open Monday through Saturday. View the full menu here.