Alcapurrias

Name: Alcapurrias
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients: 6 green bananas, peeled; 4 yautia roots, peeled; 2 tbsp annatto oil; Salt to taste; For filling: 500g ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, sazon, olives, recao, salt

Alcapurrias (ahl-kah-POOR-ee-ahs)

Stuffed Plantain and Yautia Fritters

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 330 kcal

Torpedo-shaped fritters made from a masa of green banana and yautia, stuffed with seasoned ground beef, and deep-fried until crispy.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 18.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

grater or food processor deep fryer or pot banana leaf or parchment

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper-lined basket

Garnishes: pique sauce on the side

Accompaniments: cold beer, lime wedges

Ingredients

6 green bananas, peeled
4 yautia roots, peeled
2 tbsp annatto oil
Salt to taste
For filling: 500g ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, sazon, olives, recao, salt

Instructions

1
Grate green bananas and yautia finely or process in a food processor until smooth. Mix with annatto oil and salt to form masa.
2
For filling, brown ground beef with sofrito, tomato sauce, sazon, and olives. Cook until well-seasoned and slightly dry.
3
Place a sheet of parchment or banana leaf on a flat surface. Spread a thin layer of masa into an oval shape.
4
Place a spoonful of beef filling in the center. Fold the masa over to enclose the filling completely, forming a torpedo shape.
5
Heat oil to 350F. Carefully slide alcapurrias into hot oil and fry five minutes, turning once, until deeply golden.
6
Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with pique sauce for dipping.

💡

Did You Know?

The best alcapurrias are found at beach-side kiosks called chinchorreos in Luquillo and Pinones, where they are fried to order in massive cauldrons.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

grater or food processor
deep fryer or pot
banana leaf or parchment

Garnishing

pique sauce on the side

Accompaniments

cold beer, lime wedges

The Story Behind Alcapurrias

Alcapurrias are the crown jewel of Puerto Rican street food, a dish that perfectly blends Taino root vegetable traditions with African frying techniques. The masa combines green banana and yautia, two staples of indigenous Caribbean cooking, while the seasoned meat filling reflects Spanish colonial influence. These fritters are inseparable from the chinchorreo culture of beachside eating that defines weekend life in Puerto Rico.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed beach snack and street food 📜 Origins: African-Taino fusion

Comments (1)

Tim Mar 24, 2026 14:37

Nice dish