Empanada de Queso

Name: Empanada de Queso
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Bolivian
Ingredients: 3 cups flour; 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed; 1 egg; 1/4 cup water; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 cups queso fresco, crumbled; Powdered sugar for dusting; Oil for frying (if frying)

Empanada de Queso (ehm-pah-NAH-dah deh KEH-soh)

Cheese Empanada

⏱ Prep Time 20 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 218 kcal

Golden, flaky half-moon pastries filled with melted cheese and dusted with powdered sugar — Bolivia's sweet-and-savory snack perfection.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 24.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

rolling pin baking sheet or fryer mixing bowl

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper-lined basket

Garnishes: powdered sugar

Accompaniments: coffee, api

Ingredients

3 cups flour
1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups queso fresco, crumbled
Powdered sugar for dusting
Oil for frying (if frying)

Instructions

1
Make dough: cut butter into flour, add egg, salt, and water. Knead until smooth. Rest 20 min.
2
Roll dough thin. Cut into 12cm circles.
3
Place a generous spoonful of cheese on each circle. Fold over and seal edges with a fork.
4
Bake at 190°C for 20 min until golden, or deep fry at 175°C for 4-5 min.
5
Dust generously with powdered sugar while still warm.
6
Serve immediately — the cheese should still be melted inside.

💡

Did You Know?

The combination of salty cheese with sweet powdered sugar baffles foreign visitors but is considered absolutely essential by Bolivians.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

rolling pin
baking sheet or fryer
mixing bowl

Garnishing

powdered sugar

Accompaniments

coffee, api

The Story Behind Empanada de Queso

Empanadas arrived with Spanish colonizers but Bolivians made them their own with the distinctive powdered sugar dusting. The sweet-savory combination reflects the Bolivian palate's love of contrasts. Found at every market and bakery, cheese empanadas are the country's most democratic snack, enjoyed by all classes.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed mid-morning snack, tea time 📜 Origins: Spanish colonial

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