Empanadas get personal when you cook them. This Medellín class turns the usual food stop into a hands-on lesson, with a welcome drink, a quick empanada primer, and cooking in a real home kitchen in Antioquia. I really like the small-group size (up to 9) because it stays chatty, and you get hands-on time instead of watching from the sidelines. You’ll also like how fillings are flexible, built around your preferences, including vegan-friendly choices.

One possible drawback: you’ll want to show up with a good attitude and appetite, because this is active cooking, not a sit-and-learn show. In a home setting, it can get a little messy, and you’ll move faster if you’re comfortable jumping into the process.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small group setup (limited to 9) so you actually get involved and ask questions
• Choose your filling options including meat, chicken, and a special filling that changes monthly
• Vegetarian and vegan-friendly ingredients with a clear vegetarian mix and adjustable preferences
• English instruction plus extra support from the hosts (some Portuguese too)
• Local welcome drink and a second drink while you enjoy what you made
• Made with your hands in a family home for that real Medellín warmth and sharing energy

A Medellín home-kitchen lesson in 150 minutes

This experience is built around one thing: getting you cooking, not just eating. The total time is 150 minutes, which is long enough to learn the basics, practice with your hands, and still enjoy the meal together at the end. The pacing feels relaxed but focused, and the small group cap of 9 people helps a lot. You’re more likely to talk with the hosts and others in your group, instead of being one more person in a big class.

Your meeting point is Casa 201, and the vibe is very local-home. That matters because you’re not just visiting Medellín as a spectator. You’re stepping into someone’s kitchen routines for a couple hours. Also, the instruction is English, and you should expect clear guidance plus practical, step-by-step encouragement while you cook.

The brief empanada history you’ll actually remember

Before the cooking gets going, there’s a brief history of empanadas. Don’t expect a long lecture. Think of it as context that helps the food make sense while you’re learning the technique. When someone tells you where a dish fits culturally and why different regions use different fillings, you’re better able to connect the meal to daily life in Colombia rather than treating it like a generic snack.

This kind of short intro is a smart use of time. It sets you up to ask better questions once you’re at the table, and it also helps you recognize that empanadas aren’t one single recipe. They’re a format—dough plus filling—then people customize based on preferences, season, and what’s available.

Hands-on prep and cooking: what you do (not just watch)

The heart of the class is preparation and cooking, and you’ll be making the empanadas with your own hands alongside the guide. That hands-on part is where you’ll get the most value. You’re learning how the process works in a Colombian kitchen, guided by someone who clearly does this for real—not just as a demo.

Even if you’ve never cooked empanadas before, you’ll likely feel supported because the format is interactive. You choose a filling option, then you help prepare and cook. The goal is not perfection on the first try. It’s learning the rhythm: work through the steps, keep going, and end with empanadas you can be proud of.

The small group size helps here too. In a larger class, you might spend more time waiting for a turn. Here, you can get back to your station and practice.

Meat, chicken, and a monthly special filling

One reason this class feels fun (and not repetitive) is that the fillings are varied. You can choose among meat, chicken, and a special filling that changes every month. That monthly rotating element keeps the experience fresh and makes you feel like you’re cooking what’s current in that home kitchen, not an identical menu every week.

You’ll also get to pick what fits your taste. The experience is described as being tailored to your preferences, and the ingredients are adjusted accordingly. In practice, that means you’re not stuck with one filling even if you’re picky—or even if you want to try something you’ve never had before.

If you like variety, this is a good setup. You can enjoy the classics (meat and chicken) and still experiment with what the “special” is that month.

Vegetarian and vegan choices that go beyond a token option

This is a real plus if you eat vegetarian or want vegan-friendly meals. The experience explicitly lists vegetarian options and also states the ingredient choices can be valid for vegans depending on your preferences.

For vegetarians, you’ll have options like mushrooms, corn, cheese, and potato with hogao. Hogao is a Colombian-style sauce, and pairing it with hearty vegetables is a smart way to keep the empanada filling flavorful and filling without relying on meat. You also get a clear path for the vegetarian menu rather than just a vague substitute.

For vegans, the class notes that the ingredients can be adjusted. That’s the key point for you: this isn’t presented as one fixed set of fillings with no flexibility. If you want to enjoy what everyone else is eating, it’s worth booking this specifically because they’ve designed the session to accommodate dietary preferences.

Sharing a meal the Medellín way: drinks, conversation, and warmth

After you cook, you get to enjoy the empanadas, and you’ll have another drink with the meal. On top of that, there’s a local welcome drink at the start. These drinks aren’t just extras. They help set the tone: you’re not only learning a skill, you’re joining a shared table moment.

One of the strongest parts of the experience is the social side. The class is described as sharing with people of different backgrounds, and the hosts speak English and Portuguese. Even if you only know a few words, you’ll likely find it easy to connect. The most positive energy comes from the fact that you’re in a home environment, where conversation and encouragement feel natural.

Based on how the class is described, you’ll also likely feel that the hosts are proud of their cooking. That shows up in how they teach—clear explanations, room to try, and a focus on making the empanadas correctly so you can enjoy them right away.

What makes this class feel authentic (not touristy)

This isn’t positioned as a big show. It’s a family-home cooking lesson with an emphasis on culture immersion at its max and getting to know locals through conversation while you cook. When you cook in someone’s home kitchen, you learn more than ingredients—you learn habits. How the hosts explain choices. How they talk about the meal. How they make room for different tastes in the same session.

That matters if you care about value. A restaurant meal is great, but it doesn’t teach you how the food works. Here, you leave with a skill you can use again, plus a stronger sense of how Colombian home cooking fits into everyday life.

Price and value: does $56 make sense for 150 minutes?

At $56 per person for 150 minutes, the price looks fair once you break down what’s included. You’re paying for:

• a small-group experience limited to 9 people
• hands-on instruction while you prepare and cook
• a brief history to add context
• at least two drinks (a welcome drink and a drink with your empanadas)
• ingredients for multiple filling choices, including vegetarian options

For cooking classes, the ingredients and teaching time can quickly add up. On top of that, you’re not just eating—you’re learning. If your goal is to understand Colombian food in a practical way, you’re getting more than a meal: you’re getting technique and context.

If your only interest is eating empanadas with no interest in cooking, you might question the cost. But if you want an experience that teaches and feeds you in a warm home setting, the $56 price feels aligned with the time and what’s included.

Who should book this empanada class in Medellín?

This is a strong fit if:

• you enjoy hands-on food experiences
• you want a small group setting where you can talk
• you eat vegetarian or want vegan-friendly options
• you like the idea of learning a Colombian recipe format you can repeat later

It may be less ideal if you’re looking for a purely sightseeing-focused activity, because this one centers on the kitchen and meal. Also, this is an English-taught lesson, so you’ll get the best experience if you’re comfortable with English as your main language.

If you’re coming with a friend, a partner, or even solo, you should still feel included. The class is built for social interaction, not isolation.

Should you book this Medellín empanada class?

I think you should book it if you want Medellín in a more personal way than just walking, eating, and moving on. The combination of cooking + context + warmth is what makes this class worth your time. The biggest reason to choose it is the format: you make the empanadas yourself, with filling choices that match your preferences, including vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.

Book it now if your ideal day includes a home-style meal, a short food history lesson that actually helps you understand what you’re doing, and a guide who keeps the pace friendly. If you hate cooking messes or prefer passive activities only, you may want a different Medellín food stop.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the empanada-making experience?

The experience lasts 150 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Casa 201.

What is the price per person?

The price is $56 per person.

What’s included in the class?

You get a local welcome drink, a brief history of empanadas, preparation and cooking of empanadas with your own hands, and you enjoy the empanadas with another drink.

What fillings are available for non-vegetarians?

You can choose from meat, chicken, and a special filling that changes every month.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. Vegetarian options include mushrooms, corn, cheese, and potato with hogao.

Can vegans join?

The experience states that ingredients can be chosen according to your preference, and it notes that vegan options are available.

What language is the instruction in?

The instructor speaks English.

How big is the group?

The class is a small group limited to 9 participants.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.