tequeños

How to Prepare Tequeños in Simple Steps

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If you have ever been to a party or any special event in Venezuela, you must have seen many trays of tequeños.

There are no weddings, birthdays, or family gatherings in this country where these appetizers aren’t present.

They are the most representative and beloved of the national cuisine. And there is a good reason why they are the favorites.

What is it? Their divine and delicate crispy dough, combined with the subtlety of the cheese inside.

If you had the chance to try them, you know how spectacular they are. If not, you missed a unique snack.

But you can still indulge yourself without needing to attend a celebration. Here, you will learn how to make them at home. Take a look.

Table of contents

What are tequeños?

These traditional bites consist of cheese sticks wrapped in a spiral of dough strips.

They can be either fried or baked, and both ways they turn out delicious and crispy.

They are perfect to offer to your family and guests at any celebration, accompanied by drinks.

The original recipe uses white cheese and a simple wheat flour dough. However, today, there are many variations.

From those using yellow cheese, plantains, quince, or chocolate, to those made with puff pastry dough.

What is the history of tequeños?

Do you want to know how Venezuelan tequeños were born? There are different versions about the origin of these appetizers.

One of them states that they appeared in the 19th century in the city of Los Teques (Miranda state), which is said to have given them their name.

According to this theory, the cooks of the wealthiest families of the time had a habit of making their food more delicate.

And, to avoid wasting ingredients, they created these bites by wrapping cheese sticks in strips of dough.

Another version attributes this culinary invention to local cooks, who were searching for new and practical recipes.

Their intention was for families in the region to be able to offer a tasty meal at gatherings or parties.

The truth is that they emerged from creativity and became a symbol of celebration. They have even become popular outside Venezuela.

Recipe for traditional tequeños

Do you dare to prepare these delicious appetizers? Making them in your kitchen is very easy and you don’t need many ingredients.

You probably already have them at home because they are basic, like the ones in this traditional recipe we share with you below.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of wheat flour
  • ½ kg of white cheese
  • ¼ cup of cold water
  • ¼ cup of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • Vegetable oil

Preparation of the dough

To get the perfect dough, start by combining the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, and salt). Then, add the butter.

Once the mixture has a sandy texture, slowly add the cold water while working the dough. It should be soft and moldable.

Now, let it rest, covered, for about 30 minutes. In the meantime, you can start cutting the cheese sticks.

Has the 30 minutes passed? Great, it’s time to uncover the dough and start assembling your appetizers.

How to shape tequeños?

This is the most exciting part because it involves wrapping the cheese sticks with the dough, giving them their characteristic shape.

To do this, start by rolling the dough into a very thin square. Then, cut it into long strips.

The size of the cheese will determine the size of your tequeños. Normally, they are about the size of your index finger.

Once everything is cut, take a cheese stick and place it at one end of the dough strip.

From there, begin to wrap it in a spiral until you reach the other edge. Seal it well so that it doesn’t open when frying.

Finally, fry in plenty of oil until the outside is golden and crispy. Did you notice how easy they are to make?

Fried vs. Baked cheese sticks

You might be wondering which cooking method is better. Each has its benefits.

The difference is that fried tequeños are cooked in a pan with vegetable oil and fried in small batches.

Remove excess oil by placing them on paper towels. The texture they get is extra crispy.

How to make baked tequeños? 

Simple. Place them on a tray with special baking paper and cook at 190°C.

Leave them in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until they are nicely golden.

The result, in terms of texture and color, is the same, but they are lighter because they have less fat. As for the taste? Just as irresistible as the fried ones.

Recipe for puff pastry tequeños

If you prefer to make them with puff pastry, which has several layers, that’s no problem. It gives a different but delicious texture.

Plus, it has the advantage of not needing to be kneaded, as it comes ready to use. This saves you time in the kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet of puff pastry
  • ½ kg of white cheese
  • 1 beaten egg

Instructions

Puff pastry is usually bought frozen, but before using it, you need to take it out of the fridge a few hours in advance to let it thaw.

Once thawed, roll it out and cut it the same way as we showed in the traditional recipe.

Wrap the strips around the cheese sticks, and when they are fully covered, seal the edges with the beaten egg.

With the same egg mixture, brush the tequeños on top so they acquire a golden color when frying or baking them.

3 Sauces to Pair with This Snack

There are two traditional ways to enjoy tequeños: on their own or paired with a delicious sauce to elevate their flavor.

Would you like to try them with a liquid complement? Here are three typical sauces for you to enjoy.

1. Pink Sauce

A very popular accompaniment, also used to dress other dishes. In some countries, it’s known as cocktail sauce.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup of mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup of ketchup
  • 1 tsp of lemon juice

Instructions

This recipe is super easy. Simply combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir to blend them.

If you like, you can add more lemon or salt. That’s it, now just enjoy it with your dish.

2. Guasacaca

This sauce is a classic, often served with various dishes like snacks, empanadas, roasted meats, and chicken, among others.

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper (chopped)
  • ¼ cup onion (chopped)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

It’s as easy to make as the previous one. What do you need? A blender to mix the ingredients.

Blend everything until the mixture is creamy and adjust the flavor by tasting it. Now, it’s ready to serve.

3. Palm Sugar (Papelón) Sauce

The natural sweetness of this dressing gives an exclusive touch to your crispy cheese bites. You won’t regret preparing it.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup of papelón (palm sugar)
  • ¼ cup of water
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon

Instructions

This preparation requires cooking the papelón in pieces in a pan with water until it dissolves.

Once it thickens, add the cinnamon. This spice gives the sauce a divine flavor, though it’s optional. Serve it cold.

5 Simple Tips to Prepare Perfect Tequeños

Every dish has its secrets, and these appetizers are no exception. Here are five tips to make your tequeño preparation more efficient.

  1. Cheese: Choose a firm cheese like Llanero or Costeño to ensure a creamy interior that won’t escape during frying.
  2. Dough: Knead the dough well to make it easier to stretch. This ensures an elastic, soft texture and helps the dough stick to the cheese.
  3. Wrapping: Make sure there are no empty spaces when wrapping your cheese sticks. Press the seams to ensure they are completely sealed.
  4. Frying: Use plenty of hot oil to fully submerge the tequeños. This will allow them to cook evenly and absorb less oil.
  5. Freezing: Freeze your tequeños before frying them so they hold their shape and prevent the cheese from leaking out.

Did you know these tricks? By using them, you’ll impress your guests and make your appetizers even more delicious.

How to Store Tequeños

If you like to prepare your meals ahead of time, these appetizers are perfect for making things easier in the kitchen.

You can store them both raw and cooked, so they’re ready to fry or heat up when you need them.

To store raw tequeños, freeze them for 1-2 hours on a tray, then transfer them to an airtight container or bag. No need to thaw them before frying or baking; they cook perfectly straight from frozen.

To store cooked tequeños, wait until they cool completely. Then, place them in an airtight container in the fridge.

Reheat them in an air fryer or oven to preserve their crispy texture.

Are you ready to make your tequeños? Whether traditional or puff pastry, you’ll enjoy the unique, classic flavor of this recipe.