The Best Empanada Discs for Homemade Empanadas
Making empanadas at home starts with one key decision: which empanada dough do you use? Whether you call them discos, empanada discs, or empanada dough rounds, the right disc makes the difference between a perfect empanada and a disappointing one. The dough needs to be thin enough to get crispy, strong enough to hold the filling, and flavorful enough to complement whatever's inside.
For over 55 years, Latin home cooks across the United States have trusted one brand above all others: La Fe. Here's everything you need to know about empanada discs and why La Fe discos are the top choice.
What Are Empanada Discs (Discos)?
Empanada discs — called "discos" in Spanish — are thin, round sheets of pre-made dough designed specifically for making empanadas. They come frozen and are ready to fill, fold, seal, and cook. Think of them as the Latin American equivalent of pie crust rounds, but thinner and more versatile.
Using pre-made discos instead of making dough from scratch saves hours of preparation time while delivering consistent, professional results. This is how most Latin families actually make empanadas at home — and how many restaurants make them too.
La Fe Empanada Discs: Every Size and Style
La Fe offers the most complete selection of empanada discs available in US stores:
La Fe Discos White — Large
The classic choice for empanadas argentinas and other large empanadas. White dough with a neutral flavor that lets your filling shine. Perfect for baking or frying.
La Fe Discos Color — Large
Yellow-tinted dough (colored with annatto/achiote) for a more traditional look. Preferred for empanadas colombianas, empanadas venezolanas, and other South American styles where color matters.
La Fe Discos Color — Small
Smaller discs ideal for empanadas de cóctel (cocktail empanadas), appetizer portions, and party-sized bites. Great for gatherings where guests want to sample multiple flavors.
La Fe Discos Special White — Small
Small white discs for delicate, crispy empanadas. Perfect for baked cocktail empanadas and elegant presentations.
How to Choose the Right Empanada Disc
Not sure which disco to pick? Here's a quick guide:
| What You're Making | Best La Fe Disco |
|---|---|
| Empanadas Argentinas (baked, beef) | Discos White Large |
| Empanadas Colombianas (fried) | Discos Color Large |
| Empanadas Venezolanas | Discos Color Large |
| Cocktail / party empanadas | Discos Color Small |
| Air fryer empanadas | Discos White Large |
| Spinach & cheese empanadas | Discos Special White Small |
Don't Want to Make Them from Scratch? Try La Fe Ready-Made Empanadas
Short on time? La Fe also offers ready-made frozen empanadas that go straight from the freezer to your oven or air fryer:
- La Fe Empanadas Beef — the classic choice
- La Fe Empanadas Chicken — seasoned with Latin spices
- La Fe Empanadas Pizza — a kid-friendly favorite
- La Fe Empanadas Spinach & Cheese — vegetarian option
- La Fe Empanadas Veggie — plant-based filling
Need bulk quantities? La Fe also offers 10-packs of beef empanadas and 10-packs of chicken empanadas for families and parties.
How to Make Empanadas with La Fe Discos
Making empanadas at home with pre-made discos is easy:
- Thaw the discos — remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Don't over-thaw or they'll stick together.
- Prepare your filling — beef, chicken, cheese, ham & cheese, spinach, or any combination you love.
- Fill and seal — place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each disc. Fold in half and press edges with a fork to seal. For a traditional look, use the repulgue (rope twist) technique.
- Cook — bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden, deep fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or air fry at 380°F for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve hot — with chimichurri, salsa, or ají on the side.
Find dozens of empanada recipes with video tutorials on our Cook & Salsa recipe platform.
Air Fryer Empanadas: The Easy Way
Air fryer empanadas are one of the fastest-growing food trends — and La Fe discos are perfect for it. Here's the quick method:
- Fill and seal La Fe discos with your favorite filling
- Lightly brush or spray with oil
- Place in air fryer basket in a single layer (don't stack)
- Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway
- Let cool for 2 minutes before serving
The result: perfectly crispy empanadas with 75% less oil than deep frying. The same golden crust, better for you.
La Fe Discos vs. Other Brands
When shopping for empanada discs, you might compare brands. Here's what sets La Fe apart:
- 4 varieties — white large, color large, color small, and special white small. Most competitors offer only 1-2 options.
- Authentic thickness and texture — La Fe discos are designed by Latin food experts who understand the traditional thickness needed for proper empanadas.
- Easy to work with — they thaw evenly and don't crack or tear when folding.
- 55+ years of experience — La Fe has been perfecting Latin food products since 1968.
- Widely available — find them at Walmart, Kroger, Target, and Latin grocery stores nationwide.
Where to Buy Empanada Discs
La Fe empanada discs are available in the frozen foods section at:
- Walmart — international and frozen aisles
- Kroger — frozen international foods
- Target — select locations
- Latin grocery stores & bodegas — thousands of locations nationwide
- Online: lafe.com, Amazon, and Instacart
Shop All La Fe Empanada Products →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best empanada discs to buy?
La Fe empanada discs (discos) are the top choice for homemade empanadas in the US. They come in 4 varieties — white large, color large, color small, and special white small — so you can match the disc to your recipe style. Available at Walmart, Kroger, Target, and online at lafe.com.
Where can I buy empanada discs near me?
Look for La Fe discos in the frozen foods section at Walmart, Kroger, Target, or your local Latin grocery store. They're usually in the international or Hispanic foods freezer. You can also order online at lafe.com, Amazon, or Instacart for home delivery.
What is the difference between white and color empanada discs?
White discos are made with plain dough — ideal for empanadas argentinas and baked empanadas. Color discos are tinted with annatto (achiote) for a yellow hue, preferred for Colombian, Venezuelan, and other South American empanada styles. Both taste great — the choice is mostly about tradition and visual preference.
Can I make empanadas in an air fryer?
Yes. Fill and seal La Fe discos, lightly oil them, and air fry at 380°F for 12-15 minutes. You get crispy, golden empanadas with much less oil than deep frying. La Fe's ready-made frozen empanadas also work perfectly in the air fryer.
Are empanadas gluten free?
Traditional empanada discs are made with wheat flour and are not gluten free. However, empanadas can be made with gluten-free dough alternatives using yuca or corn flour. Check our recipe collection for gluten-free Latin alternatives.
How many empanadas does one pack of discos make?
A 20 oz pack of La Fe large discos typically contains about 10 discs — making 10 empanadas. A 14 oz pack of small discos contains about 20 discs for cocktail-sized empanadas. Plan about 2-3 large empanadas per person for a meal.
