How Many Empanadas Should I Order Per Person for Office Catering?
How many empanadas should I order per person for office catering?
Confused about empanada quantities? Learn how to portion like a pro and avoid over-ordering for your next office event.
Mpanadas & Salsas brings bold, authentic Venezuelan flavours to homes and food businesses across the UK. Based in Essex and founded in 2024, Mpanadas specialises in crispy corn empanadas and handmade salsas. They deliver frozen, airfryer ready meals that are gluten free, made from natural ingredients, and halal friendly. Their empanadas come in mini, snack, classic and jumbo sizes which is perfect for everything from casual tastings to full office catering.
Overview: So how many should you order?
Here’s a general rule:
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Mini empanadas: 3 to 5 per person for light snacks or grazing
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Snack size: 2 to 3 per person for meetings or variety trays
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Classic size: 1.5 to 2 per person when served with sides
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Jumbo size: 1 to 1.5 per person for full meal events
Add a 10 to 20 percent buffer if you’re unsure, and always consider the event type, timing, and appetite levels. Mixing sizes gives you flexibility while avoiding waste.
Understanding Empanada Quantities, Sizes and Serving Context
How Many Empanadas Per Person? Planning by Event Type
Here’s a quick guide to portion planning by empanada size:
- Mini: 3 to 5 per person suits light eaters and grazers
- Snack: 2 to 3 per person works well for mixed menus
- Classic: 1.5 to 2 each fits most lunch needs
- Jumbo: 1 to 1.5 each covers mains, especially with sides
These figures take the guesswork out. For easy planning, just drop us a line and we will be more than happy to help you calculate your serving size and give a portion guide.
Empanada Size Breakdown: What Mini, Snack, Classic and Jumbo Really Mean
- Mini: Around 30 to 35g. Two tasty bites, ideal for grazing tables and samplers. A popular choice when planning small empanadas for casual events.
- Snack: About 50 to 60g. Light yet filling, perfect for coffee breaks, team snacks, or as part of a meeting snacks platter.
- Classic: Roughly 90 to 110g. A full lunch portion when paired with a side. Classic empanadas are the go to for reliable, satisfying staff meals.
- Jumbo: Between 130 and 150g. A generous main meal for hungrier guests. The ideal jumbo portion for full day events.
Best Use Cases for Each Size
- Mini: Great for platters, welcome snacks, and informal gatherings. Small empanadas make excellent starters or grazing table staples.
- Snack: Works well between meetings or as a light option alongside other items.
- Classic: Best for boxed meals, working meetings, or main courses. Classic empanadas hit the mark for structured foodservice planning.
- Jumbo: Suits evening events or when you need to serve a full, satisfying meal.
Catering Scenarios That Affect Quantity Decisions
Boardroom Lunch vs Casual Friday
Boardroom meals call for structure and substance, classic or jumbo sizes work best. Casual Fridays benefit from mix and match setups where mini and snack portions encourage relaxed sharing.
Daytime vs Evening Events
Lunchtime events often lean towards lighter sizes. Evening occasions usually need something heartier. Appetite, time, and tone should guide your portion decisions.
Combining Sizes: A Smarter Way to Offer Variety Without Waste
Using a mix gives flexibility and balance:
- App and Main Combo: Pair 2 minis with 1 classic
- Tray Mix: 1 mini, 1 snack, 1 classic per guest
- Buffet Balance: 40 percent mini, 40 percent classic, 20 percent snack sizes
This approach adds choice while keeping portions in check. It’s an efficient strategy for event based ordering and office buffet setup.
Build a Buffer: How Much Extra to Order for Peace of Mind
- Fewer than 20 people: Add 10 percent to allow for seconds
- 20 to 50 people: Add 15 percent to stay safe
- More than 50: Add 20 percent and extra dietary friendly options
These buffers help you stay ahead of surprises without going overboard. When in doubt, apply overage planning based on portion weights.
Serving Everyone: Gluten Free, Halal and Vegan Portioning Tips
To cater inclusively:
- Order 20 to 25 percent halal or vegan options
- Add 5 to 10 percent gluten free items
Mpanadas clearly labels its halal, gluten free, and vegan empanadas, making it easy to serve everyone confidently.
Keeping It Tidy: Presenting Empanadas in Buffets or Boxed Meals
Buffet Tips:
- Sort sizes clearly and label flavours
- Use eco friendly trays with simple serving tools
- For professional buffet planning, label trays by empanada size and SKU where applicable
Boxed Meal Ideas:
- 3 item: 1 mini, 1 snack, 1 classic
- 5 item: 2 minis, 2 snacks, 1 classic
Clean presentation makes everything easier and more appealing.
Frozen vs Fresh Fried: Choosing the Right Format for Your Team
Frozen:
- Air fryer or oven friendly
- Cook time: minis around 10 minutes, classics around 15, jumbos around 18
Fresh Fried:
- Works best with in house fryers
- Ideal when crispness and quick turnaround matter
Mpanadas offers both styles: precooked or raw frozen, depending on your needs. Choose your product SKUs based on prep method and portion target.
Office Catering Size Guide: Quick Table and Ordering Checklist
| Size | Weight Range | Portions Per Person | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 30 to 35g | 3 to 5 | Appetisers, tasters, grazing tables |
| Snack | 50 to 60g | 2 to 3 | Meetings, snack stations, add ons |
| Classic | 90 to 110g | 1.5 to 2 with sides | Boxed meals, lunch catering |
| Jumbo | 130 to 150g | 1 to 1.5 | Full meals, evening functions |
Ordering Checklist:
- Count your team
- Pick sizes to match your event
- Add a buffer
- Include dietary friendly items
- Choose buffet or boxed layout
- Decide on frozen or fresh
- Match each size with its product SKU for fast reordering
Planning lunch or a staff buffet? Mpanadas helps you get it right, delivering bold flavours, smart portioning, and smooth service every time.
Further useful reading:
Our Most Loved Flavours
Garlic Salsa
Mini Empanadas – Cheese – Pack of 12
Aji – Spicy Salsa
Mini Empanadas – Shredded Beef – Pack of 12
Reach Out To Us For Retail or Wholesale Enquiries
Tasty Reads Worth a Look
About Our Empanadas and Salsas
At Mpanadas & Salsas, every bite tells a story. Born from Libia’s lifelong love of traditional Venezuelan cooking, our empanadas and salsas bring the bold, homegrown flavours of South America to the UK. Passed down through generations and perfected over decades in hospitality, our recipes are rooted in heritage and made by hand with heart. Taste the tradition, because great food should always feel like home.
Empanadas Delivered UK Wide
Mpanadas & Salsas
Authentic Venezuelan frozen empanadas delivered across the UK to homes and restaurants. Our handmade empanadas feature traditional and regional fillings with options that are gluten free, halal, and vegan friendly.
Address: 6 Turnstone Cl, East Tilbury, Tilbury RM18 8FG
Phone: 07572 417492
Website: mpanadas.co.uk
Proudly women-owned and LGBTQ+ friendly. Rated 5.0 by our customers. Open from 8 am daily.