🇨🇴 Colombian Cuisine

Buñuelos

Cheese Fritters

Prep Time 15 min

Servings 12

Difficulty Medium

Calories 176 kcal

Perfectly round, golden-fried cheese fritters with a crispy shell and chewy, cheesy interior — Colombia's essential Christmas snack.

Ingredients

2 cups finely grated queso costeño or feta
1 cup masarepa or tapioca starch
1 egg
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
Pinch of salt
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1 Combine grated cheese, masarepa, cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
2 Add egg and mix until a smooth, pliable dough forms. It should not be sticky.
3 Roll into golf-ball-sized spheres with damp hands.
4 Heat oil to 160°C (325°F) — lower temperature is key for even cooking.
5 Fry buñuelos, turning constantly, for 6-8 min until uniformly deep golden.
6 Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

Did You Know?

Colombians say if your buñuelos crack while frying, you told a lie that day. Perfect round buñuelos mean a clear conscience.