Cachapas (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes with Cheese)
In short: Soft, slightly sweet pancakes of blended fresh corn, griddled until golden and folded around melting white cheese. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 495 kcal
Cachapas are Venezuela's corn pancakes, sold at roadside stands and eaten for breakfast or a filling snack. Fresh corn is blended into a thick, slightly sweet batter, cooked on a griddle into soft golden rounds and folded around a slice of salty, stretchy white cheese. Traditionally the cheese is queso de mano. The corn must be sweet and fresh for the best flavor.
Instructions
- Blend the corn with the milk for 30 to 45 seconds, until mostly smooth but still slightly textured.
- Pour the puree into a bowl and stir in the cornmeal, sugar, salt and melted butter. Rest for 10 minutes to thicken. The batter should fall slowly from a spoon, so add a tablespoon of milk if it is too stiff.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and brush with butter.
- Pour in about 1/3 cup (80 ml) of batter and spread it into a round about 12 cm (5 in) wide and 1 cm (1/2 in) thick.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until bubbles appear and the edges look set. Flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until golden.
- Lay a slice of cheese on one half, fold the cachapa over and cover the pan for 1 minute to melt the cheese. Serve hot, with a little butter.
Tips
- Fresh sweet corn gives the best flavor. If your corn is not very sweet, add an extra spoonful of sugar, and cook over medium-low heat so the batter sets before it browns.
- Serve with a spoon of thick cream (nata) or extra slices of white cheese, as is common in Venezuela.
Questions and answers
What cheese goes in cachapas?
Queso de mano, a soft, mildly salty white cheese, is traditional. Fresh mozzarella, queso fresco or Oaxaca cheese are good substitutes.
Can I make cachapas ahead of time?
Cook them up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate, then rewarm in a skillet over low heat with the cheese. The batter is best used within an hour or two.
Are cachapas gluten-free?
Yes, they are made with corn and precooked cornmeal. If you avoid gluten strictly, check that the cornmeal is labeled gluten-free.
How long does it take to make Cachapas (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes with Cheese)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cachapas (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes with Cheese)?
About 495 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 495 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
