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Appetizer

Tequeños de Queso: Crispy Cheese Sticks

Original name: Tequeños de Queso

Golden-brown tequeños de queso stacked on a platter, one broken open to show melted cheese, served with a small bowl of green avocado sauce.
Prep
30 mins
Cook
15 mins
Servings
6
VenezuelanIntermediateSnackVegetarian

About this dish

Tequeños de queso are Venezuela's beloved cheese-filled pastry sticks, with a crispy shell and molten soft cheese inside. The dough is simple—flour, water, butter, and a touch of sugar—while the filling is queso blanco or any firm melting cheese.

Serve them warm with a creamy avocado-cilantro sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

All-purpose flour

grain

300 g

Imperial measurement: 2 1/2 cups

Unsalted butter, softened

fat

60 g

Imperial measurement: 1/4 cup

Warm water

liquid

180 ml

Imperial measurement: 3/4 cup

Granulated sugar

other

1 tsp

Salt

seasoning

1/2 tsp

Queso blanco or firm melting cheese, cut into 1/2-inch sticks

dairy

400 g

Imperial measurement: 14 oz

Vegetable oil, for frying

fat

1 L

Imperial measurement: 4 cups

Ripe avocado, for sauce

fruit

1 large

Fresh cilantro, for sauce

herb

1/4 cup

Lime juice, for sauce

liquid

2 tbsp

Method

1

Make the dough

PT6M

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add softened butter and warm water. Knead until a smooth, soft dough forms, about 5 minutes.

2

Rest the dough

PT15M

Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to relax the gluten.

3

Prepare the cheese

PT5M

Cut queso blanco into sticks about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long. Pat dry with paper towels.

4

Roll and fill

PT12M

Divide dough into 12 portions. Roll each into a thin oval. Place a cheese stick on one end, fold the dough over, and roll tightly, sealing the edges with a little water.

5

Heat oil

PT5M

In a deep skillet, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

6

Fry the tequeños

PT12M

Fry in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch.

7

Drain and serve

PT2M

Drain on paper towels. Serve warm with avocado-cilantro sauce.

8

Make the avocado sauce

PT5M

Blend avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add a little water if needed to reach a dipping consistency.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Deep skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Blender

Nutrition facts

360 kcal
Calories
10 g
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
22 g
Fat
2 g
Fiber
420 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • Use firm queso blanco or low-moisture mozzarella, very soft cheeses will leak during frying.
  • Keep the dough covered as you work to prevent it from drying out and cracking., Fry at a steady 350°F (175°C), too-hot oil browns the outside before the cheese melts.
  • Tequeños can be assembled and frozen before frying, fry from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve tequeños de queso as an appetizer or snack with avocado-cilantro sauce, a squeeze of lime, and a light salad. They pair well with a cold drink or as part of a party spread.

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Valeria Paredes

Recipe by

Valeria Paredes

Specialises in Peruvian cuisine

Valeria makes causa rellena with layers of potato, chicken, and avocado. She is a potato architect.

Describe yourself in three words: Layered, potato-y, avocado love.