Papole Foods
Our Story
The Origin
Finance to Flour
Alex Moncada did not set out to be a food entrepreneur. He spent years in finance — mortgage company, house flipping — before a 50-year-old family recipe changed everything. His mother’s fried Mexican picadillo empanadas were the gold standard. He decided to recreate that experience, make it accessible to everyone, and build a brand around it.
Three years of perfecting a gluten-free butter crust later, Papole Foods was born in 2020 with the Original Empanoli® — part empanada, part ravioli, baked never fried, and Celiac-safe.
What We Stand For
Celiac-Safe
Every product is gluten-free and produced with Celiac disease in mind. Not just labeled “gluten-friendly” — actually safe.
Clean Ingredients
No GMOs, hormones, antibiotics, MSG, or artificial anything. Real food, made the way food should be made.
Family Roots
Every recipe traces back to a 50+ year-old family tradition. As seen on WTTW Chicago.
Ready to taste the story?
The Product
Meet the Original Empanoli®
Somewhere between an empanada and a ravioli lives the Empanoli — a crispy, buttery, gluten-free hand pie bursting with bold, globally inspired flavors. Rooted in both Latin American and Italian culinary traditions, it blends the savory satisfaction of empanadas with the delicate craftsmanship of ravioli.
Baked, never fried. 100% gluten-free. Celiac-safe. After three years perfecting the signature butter crust, Alex launched the Empanoli in 2020 — and Chicago took notice. Featured on WGN and loved at farmers markets across the city.
Signature Empanoli Flavors
Picadillo Beef
Alex’s mom’s 50-year-old recipe — slow-simmered Mexican beef, rich and perfectly spiced.
Ranchero Egg & Cheese
Bold breakfast energy — scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and zesty ranchero sauce.
Eggplant Caponata
Sicilian classic with a Latin twist — roasted eggplant, tomatoes, olives, and capers. Vegan.
Honeycrisp Apple
Gluten-free apple pie in a handheld form — cinnamon-kissed apples in our buttery crust.
Ready to Try Papole Foods?
Order fresh empanolis, salsas, and more — delivered to your Chicago door.