# Chocolate-Filled Fried Turnovers Pollo Tropical’s New Nutella Empanada is Oozing with Chocolate By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2019-09-18 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nutella-empanada References: [fastfoodpost](https://www.fastfoodpost.com/pollo-tropical-adds-new-nutella-empanada-and-tostones-to-menu/) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PolloTropical/photos/a.265470383468479/3179974628684692/?type=3&theater) The Florida-based restaurant chain [Pollo Tropical](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-cilantro-tropichop-bowl) is stepping up its breakfast game with the debut of its new [Nutella](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dessert-pizza1) Empanada. For those unfamiliar, an empanada is a baked or fried pastry made by folding dough over a stuffing like meat, cheese, or corn. The pastry is popular in Latin American and Filipino cultures, and usually contains a savory filling. However, Pollo Tropical is offering a sweet twist on the beloved dish by swapping the savory filling for everyone's favorite [chocolate hazelnut spread, Nutella](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nutella-peanut). The entire pastry is then deep-fried until crisp for a warm dessert that's both creamy and crispy. In addition to the new Nutella Empanada, Pollo Tropical is also serving up Tostones as a new side dish option. Tostones (also known as Patacones) are twice-fried plantains that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Image Credit: *Pollo Tropical.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sweet Empanadas:** Restaurants can innovate by experimenting with different sweet fillings for empanadas. - **Twist on Traditional Dishes:** Incorporating popular ingredients into traditional dishes can create new and exciting flavor combinations. - **Fusion Fast Food:** Fast food establishments can incorporate different cultural cuisines into their current menu offerings to attract a wider customer base. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Food companies can innovate their products by incorporating trendy ingredients into traditional dishes. - **Fast Food:** Fast food companies can differentiate themselves from competitors by offering unique and diverse menu offerings. - **Restaurant Chains:** Chain restaurants can attract new customers by introducing limited-time specialty items that are different from their usual menu offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sweet Nutella-Topped Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dessert-pizza1.md) - [Flattened Chocolate-Filled Croissants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/croissant-crisps.md) - [Chopped Avocado Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avocado-cilantro-tropichop-bowl.md) - [Collaboration Filled Pastry Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dulce-de-leche-cinnabon-delights.md) - [Fried Chocolate-Filled Tortillas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-chimis.md) - [Chocolate Hazelnut Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tim-hortons-x-nutella.md) - [Chocolate-Filled Breakfast Pastries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-tarts-1.md) - [Tequila Lime-Infused Empanadas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tequila-lime-chicken-empanada.md) - [Authentic Foodservice Empanadas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nestl-professional-solutions-and-toma.md)