🇵🇦 Panamanian Cuisine

Carimañolas

Stuffed Yuca Fritters

Prep Time 30 min

Servings 8

Difficulty Medium

Calories 278 kcal

Golden, torpedo-shaped yuca fritters with a savory beef filling, crispy outside and soft inside — one of Panama's most beloved breakfast and snack foods.

Ingredients

1kg yuca, peeled and boiled until tender
300g ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1 Boil yuca until very tender. Drain and mash until smooth with no lumps. Season with salt.
2 Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Add ground beef and cumin, cook until browned. Season well.
3 Take a handful of mashed yuca, flatten in your palm, place a spoonful of filling in the center.
4 Fold yuca around filling to form a torpedo shape, sealing edges completely.
5 Fry in oil at 180°C until deep golden brown, about 4-5 min.
6 Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Did You Know?

Carimañolas are so popular at Panamanian bakeries that they sell out within the first hour of opening every morning.