Air-Fried Tequeños: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Tequeños are a popular snack in Venezuela, made of white cheese wrapped in a crunchy, slightly sweet dough and fried to golden perfection. They are typically served with a dipping sauce. Here is a recipe for how to make them in an air fryer.

Choosing the right cheese

Tequeños are a traditional Venezuelan dish, typically served as a snack or appetiser. They are made by wrapping cheese in dough and frying until golden. The cheese is the star of this dish, so it's important to choose the right type.

The best cheese for tequeños should be semi-hard, white cheese, that softens when fried but does not melt completely. The true cheese for Tequeños is called llanero cheese, but as this is difficult to find outside of Venezuela, there are some suitable alternatives.

One option is to use feta cheese, which is widely available and has a similar texture to llanero. However, you can also use any other semi-hard white cheese that you know will not melt completely when fried. For example, one recipe suggests using Tropical Queso de Freir, which can be found at Walmart. This cheese is specifically designed for frying and will hold its shape when cooked.

Another option is to use queso blanco or mozzarella cheese, which provides a good source of protein and calcium. However, be aware that some people advise against using mozzarella as it may melt and dissolve during frying.

When preparing your tequeños, cut the cheese into bars or sticks that are around 1.5 cm thick and 5 cm long. Then, wrap the cheese in the dough, ensuring it is completely covered, and secure the edges to form the tequeño.

Now you know how to choose the right cheese, it's time to get cooking! Enjoy your delicious, cheesy tequeños.

Preparing the dough

To prepare the dough, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour: Standard all-purpose flour is best.
• Salt: Kosher or sea salt is preferable. If using table salt, reduce the amount by half.
• Baking powder: Ensure it is fresh and not expired.
• Oil: Vegetable or canola oil, or any light-tasting oil of your choice.
• Milk: Whole milk is ideal for cooking and baking, but any milk will do.
• Sugar: Use light or dark brown sugar.

Place the flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl and mix to combine. Next, add the wet ingredients: water, vegetable oil, milk, and brown sugar. Mix the dough for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and starts to pull away from the bowl's sides.

At this stage, you can cover the dough and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Then, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead it with your hands until it becomes very smooth and elastic. This should take about 2-3 minutes. If needed, add more flour to the surface to prevent sticking.

Now, it's time to roll out the dough. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a rectangle, aiming for a thickness of about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch. The size of the rectangle can vary depending on your preference, but a common measurement is 12 x 15 inches.

Once the dough is rolled out, use a knife or a pizza cutter to slice it into strips. For tequeños, you will want strips that are approximately 1-inch wide. These strips will be used to wrap the cheese and form the tequeños.

Filling and rolling the tequenos

Filling and rolling the tequeños is a simple process, but it requires some attention to detail to ensure the cheese doesn't leak out during cooking.

First, cut the cheese into sticks. The size of the cheese sticks will depend on your preference for the size of the tequeños. For example, you can cut the cheese into bars about 1.5 cm thick and 5 cm long, or cut the cheese block into 6 equal pieces and then cut each piece in half lengthwise.

Next, cut the empanada or pie dough into strips. The dough strips should be long enough to wrap around the cheese sticks with some overlap. For example, cut strips about 2 cm thick and 15 cm long, or 1-inch wide strips to make 12 strips from a 12 x 15-inch rectangle of dough.

Now it's time to start filling and rolling. Place a cheese stick on one end of a dough strip and wrap the dough around the cheese in a spiral fashion, overlapping the edges, until you reach the other end. Make sure the cheese is completely covered with dough and that the edges are sealed. Repeat this process with the remaining cheese sticks and dough strips.

If you're using an egg wash, brush it onto the tequeños before placing them in the air fryer. This will give them a golden, crispy exterior. You can also spray or brush the tequeños with olive oil or vegetable oil to help achieve the desired texture.

Finally, place the tequeños in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. This will allow for even cooking and prevent overcrowding.

Air fryer settings

To make tequeños in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to a high temperature. Sources suggest preheating to temperatures between 375°F and 400°F.

Once preheated, place the tequeños in the basket. It is important to ensure that the tequeños are in a single layer and not touching. This is to ensure proper air circulation for even cooking.

You should then cook the tequeños for around 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. They are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

If you are cooking frozen tequeños, you do not need to add oil to the basket. However, if you are cooking them from scratch, you should lightly spray the tequeños with olive oil or vegetable oil before cooking.

Serving suggestions

Tequeños are a popular snack in Venezuela and are often served at parties or gatherings. They are also enjoyed as a breakfast food or a quick snack.

Traditionally, tequeños are served with a dipping sauce. Some popular options include Guasacaca sauce, Pink sauce, or garlic sauce. The Pink Sauce, or Salsa Rosada, can be made with mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, brandy or rum, and cayenne pepper. This sauce is creamy and adds a spicy kick to the tequeños.

If you're serving tequeños as an appetizer or snack, it's a good idea to provide a variety of dipping sauces for your guests to choose from. You can also sprinkle some herbs or spices on the tequeños before serving to add extra flavor.

If you're making a large batch of tequeños, it's recommended to keep them warm in the oven at 250°F until ready to serve. This way, they stay crispy and delicious.

Tequeños can be served as a fun and tasty appetizer or snack, and with the right dipping sauces, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Frequently asked questions