Description
These homemade tequeños are crispy, golden-fried cheese-stuffed delights perfect for appetizer or snack time. Featuring a tender, elastic dough wrapped around gooey mozzarella cheese, these Venezuelan-inspired treats are easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Salt (optional, can use sea salt or kosher salt)
- 1 tsp Baking Powder (ensure it’s fresh for best results)
- 1 tbsp Sugar (optional, adjust based on personal preference)
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (can substitute with margarine)
- 3/4 cup Warm Water (adjust based on humidity)
Filling
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (can substitute with cheddar or queso blanco), cut into sticks
For Frying
- 2 cups Vegetable Oil (use high-heat oils like canola or peanut oil)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and sugar until evenly combined, ensuring a uniform base for the dough.
- Add Butter: Incorporate the softened unsalted butter into the flour mixture, mixing until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, to provide richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Form Dough: Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring, then knead the mixture gently for 3-5 minutes until a smooth and elastic dough forms, ready for rolling.
- Roll Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out into thin rectangles approximately 4 inches wide, creating the perfect shape for wrapping cheese sticks.
- Assemble Tequeños: Place mozzarella cheese sticks in the center of each dough rectangle, then fold the dough over and seal the edges tightly to encase the cheese fully.
- Heat Oil: In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers, reaching the ideal temperature for frying.
- Fry Tequeños: Carefully add the tequeños to the hot oil in small batches, frying them for about 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried tequeños with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm for maximum cheesiness and crunch.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour as a 1:1 substitute for the all-purpose flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust sugar levels based on your sweetness preference; it’s optional and can be omitted.
- Ensure the baking powder is fresh for proper dough rise and texture.
- Seal the dough tightly around the cheese to prevent leakage while frying.
- Use high smoke point oils like canola or peanut oil for frying to avoid burning.
- Serve immediately after frying for best texture and melted cheese experience.
