One of the best souvenirs from a food-loving trip is a recipe you can make at home, and a cooking class is the most direct route to one. The small-group empanada class we link takes place in Comuna 13, led by a local chef, and focuses on one of Colombia's most beloved snacks. Empanadas appear everywhere in the country, sold from street carts, bakeries and family kitchens, and each region has its own way of making them. In Antioquia they are typically made with a corn-based dough, filled with savory ingredients and fried until golden. In class, you roll up your sleeves and learn each stage: preparing the dough, making the filling, folding and sealing the pastry and cooking it to a crisp. Along the way the chef explains the ingredients, the techniques and the cultural background, and you taste your work at the end. The class format suits all levels. Beginners get clear guidance, and confident cooks pick up regional tricks. Holding the class in Comuna 13 also adds a sense of place, because the neighborhood's food, music and community spirit are part of the story. It is a lively and sociable activity, and a good wet-weather alternative to outdoor plans.
Why choose a class
A cooking class gives you something a tasting tour cannot, which is the ability to recreate the dish. You leave knowing what goes into the dough, how to season the filling and how to judge the oil temperature. Many participants say the sauces and side flavors, such as the fresh, tangy dips served with empanadas, are the highlight, so pay attention when the chef explains them.
How it works
The class is small, which means the chef can give individual attention, answer questions and adjust for beginners. Expect a mix of demonstration and hands-on work, ending with a shared tasting. Wash your hands, tie back long hair and follow the chef's instructions around hot oil.
Dietary needs
Tell the operator in advance about allergies, vegetarian or vegan requirements, or other restrictions. Traditional empanadas often contain meat, so ask what alternatives are possible. Gluten can be an issue because of wheat-based doughs in some recipes, so confirm the ingredients if it matters.
Making a day of it
Comuna 13 is also home to a well-known street art and escalator experience, so many visitors combine a graffiti tour in the morning with a cooking class in the afternoon. Check whether your class starts at a time that leaves room for both. Bring a small bag for leftovers, a camera for the process shots and an appetite. If you want a broader introduction to Colombian cooking, the market tour and cooking lesson we also feature covers more ground.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group, hands-on cooking class with a local chef, covering the dough, filling, folding and frying of Colombian empanadas, followed by a tasting.
Best time
Afternoon after a morning tour, or any time on a rainy day.
How long
About two to three hours.
Tips
Tell the operator about dietary needs, wear clothes that can get floury and follow the chef's guidance around hot oil.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers who want to take a recipe home and enjoy a hands-on activity.
- Families
- A fun activity for older children and teens with adult supervision around hot oil.
- Couples
- A relaxed, shared activity that ends with a meal you made together.
- Pair with
- The Comuna 13 graffiti tour earlier in the day.
- Time needed
- An afternoon.
Good questions
Do I need cooking experience?+
No. The class suits beginners, and the chef guides you through each step.
What will I make?+
Colombian empanadas, from preparing the dough and filling to folding and cooking them.
Where is the class held?+
In Comuna 13, so allow time to travel there from your hotel.
Can vegetarians join?+
Ask the operator when you get tickets so they can confirm what alternatives are possible.
Can I combine it with a Comuna 13 tour?+
Yes. Many visitors take a graffiti tour in the morning and a class in the afternoon, so check the start time.
