Cheese Stuffed Yuca Recipe

Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski | Kitchen Gidget

Cheese Stuffed Yuca are a party appetizer that can't be beat! Delightful little flavor bombs with the BEST dipping sauce!

If you’re tired of the same old appetizers, mix things up with some frituras!

Frituras are Puerto Rican fried snacks like my favorite pastelón empanadas (beef/cheese/plantain) and these cheese stuffed yuca balls.

Cheese Stuffed Yuca Photo

Yuca isn’t as popular as some root vegetables, but if you like yuca fries then you will love these cheese stuffed yuca balls!

If you’re a potato fan then yuca is right up your alley!

I love to make garlicky yuca en escabeche with oil and vinegar dressing instead of potato salad in the summer. Delicious!

Yuca is similar to potatoes with a thick brown skin, but it has a starchier texture.

Cheese Stuffed Yuca Picture

It doesn’t have too much flavor on its own, but makes a great to pair with other ingredients!

You can find it in the produce section and you may also see it called “cassava.”

To make things simple, I use a bag of frozen yuca that’s already peeled and ready to boil.

As for the yuca balls, they’re really quite simple.

Once the yuca is cooked you’ll need to remove the fibrous, woody stem from the core.

Cheese Stuffed Yuca Image

Then season to taste with salt and pepper and mash until smooth.

Take a spoonful of yuca and stuff it with a cube of cheese.

I prefer mozzarella since it has a mild flavor and gets gooey and stretchy when melted, but you can use any cheese you prefer.

Cheddar or gouda would be nice!

Once all the yuca has been shaped, you can cook immediately.

Or, you can refrigerate and cook within 1 day.

Cheese Stuffed Yuca Pic

If they will not be cooked within a day, they can be frozen and fried at a later time.

Since the yuca is already cooked, you just need to fry the balls until crisp and golden, flipping once.

I like to serve the fried yuca with a variety of dipping sauces, but my favorite is guava sauce.

It’s only two ingredients – guava paste and white vinegar.

Guava paste is like a really thick jelly.

The vinegar balances the sweetness and thins it down to dipping consistency.

Together they taste like BBQ sauce and I love the sweet and sour combination with this appetizer!

Are you tired of the dinner routine?

Stuck in a rut or looking for fun new recipes to try?

Our Facebook Group is growing every day! If you haven’t joined yet, we invite you to come check it out and join the fun.

Facebook!

You can ask for recipe ideas, talk about cooking techniques, or get help figuring out the right new pan set for you. If you’ve already joined, invite a friend along!

Print
Save

Cheese Stuffed Yuca Recipe

    24 Servings

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Frozen Yuca, (1 pound)
  • 1/4 pound Mozzarella Cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Oil, for frying
For the Dipping Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons Guava Paste
  • 1/4 cup White Vinegar, to taste

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt the water (about a tablespoon) and add the yuca. Cook according to the package instructions, or until fork tender (about 15-25 minutes).
  2. Drain the yuca and remove the woody stems from the core. Season with salt and pepper and mash until smooth.
  3. Take a heaping tablespoon of yuca and flatten in palm of hand. Place a cube of cheese in center and pinch the yuca around the cheese to form a ball. Repeat with remaining yuca and cheese.
  4. To fry, heat oil over high heat. Oil should be about 1/2-inch deep.
  5. Add yuca and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve with guava dipping sauce.

For the sauce:

  1. Microwave the guava paste and vinegar until melted and stir until the consistency of barbecue sauce. Add additional vinegar if necessary, to thin.

 

Recommended

Published:
Author:
Category:
Party Food
Tags:
, , , , , ,
Related Recipes:
Cheese Recipes, Appetizer Recipes, Party Food Recipes, Family Meals and Snack Recipes, Snack Recipes, Dip Recipes, Guava Recipes
Recipe Yields:
24 balls
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Recipe Yields: 24 balls
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 fried yuca ball
Servings Per Recipe 24

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 8
Calories 52

% Daily Value*
2%
Total Fat 1g
0%
  Saturated Fat 0g
2%
Sodium 39mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate 8g
0%
  Dietary Fiber 0g
  Sugars 1g
2%
Protein 1g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski

About Rebekah

Rebekah is the blogger behind Kitchen Gidget, an all-encompassing food blog dedicated to her Midwestern roots and Hispanic heritage. She adores cheese (who doesn't?!), so we asked her to be our Cheese fanatic. Time to get excited!

Show Comments