Tequeños (Venezuelan Fried Cheese Sticks)
In short: Crisp golden rolls of thin wheat dough wrapped around sticks of salty white cheese, fried until the cheese melts. A Venezuelan party classic. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Tequeños are the snack served at nearly every Venezuelan party, birthday and baby shower: strips of white cheese wrapped in thin, tender dough and fried until golden. The outside is crisp and blistered, and the cheese inside turns soft and stretchy without running out. They are dipped in guasacaca, garlic sauce or even sweet jam. Roll them tightly and seal the ends, because the cheese will try to escape.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Beat the egg with the water, pour it in and mix, then knead for 3 to 4 minutes into a smooth, firm dough. Add water by the teaspoon if it is dry. Wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface until very thin, about 1.5 mm (1/16 in). Cut it into 24 strips about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide and 22 cm (9 in) long.
- Wrap each cheese stick in a spiral with a strip of dough, overlapping the edges slightly and pinching the ends closed. Dab a little water on the end of the strip so it sticks.
- Chill the wrapped tequeños on a tray for 20 minutes, or freeze them, so they hold their shape in the oil.
- Heat 5 cm (2 in) of oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry 5 or 6 at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, turning, until deep golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with guasacaca or garlic sauce for dipping.
Tips
- Roll the dough very thin. Thick dough makes heavy, doughy tequeños, while thin dough blisters and crisps. A pasta machine makes this easy.
- Freeze unfried tequeños on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Fry straight from frozen at 170°C (340°F) for about 4 minutes.
Questions and answers
What cheese is used for tequeños?
Venezuelans use a firm, salty white cheese such as queso blanco or queso de mano. Halloumi and low-moisture mozzarella are good substitutes.
Why did my tequeños burst while frying?
The ends were not sealed well, the dough was too thick or the oil was too hot. Overlap the dough, pinch the ends, chill the tequeños and fry at 180°C (350°F).
Can I bake tequeños instead of frying?
Yes. Brush them with oil or beaten egg and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once. They will be paler and less blistered.
How long does it take to make Tequeños (Venezuelan Fried Cheese Sticks)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tequeños (Venezuelan Fried Cheese Sticks)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
