Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites (Bolitas de Yuca) 🔥🧀
280kcal
Ingredients
For the Yuca Balls:
- 1 Large Yuca
- 4 tbsp Salted Melted Butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 oz Mozzarella cheese (shredded or cubed)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- small bunch of cilantro
- 3-4 garlic gloves
- lime juice
- salt and pepper
Method
- Prep Yuca: Peel and cut the yuca. If using fresh, rinse it well. Cut into smaller chunks to cook faster.
- Boil: Boil the yuca in 4–5 cups of salted water for 20–30 minutes until fork-tender.
- Mash: Drain and let it cool slightly. Remove the woody core vein from the center. Mash or use a hand mixer with butter, salt and garlic powder until it reaches a doughy consistency.
- Stuff: Grab a small amount of yuca dough, flatten it like a small tortilla, place mozzarella in the middle, then seal and roll into a ball.
- Cook:Deep Fry: Fry in hot oil for 3–5 minutes until crispy.
Notes
- The Core: Always remember to remove that long woody string from the center of the yuca after boiling—it’s not edible!
- Fresh vs Frozen: Frozen yuca is actually a great shortcut because it’s already peeled and often cooks more evenly.
- Pro Tip: If the dough is too sticky, lighty oil your hands before shaping the balls.