Venezuelan Corn Pancakes (Cachapas)
Sweet and savory Venezuelan corn pancakes filled with cheese.
Cachapas are traditional Venezuelan corn pancakes made from fresh corn, served with cheese. They are a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors, often enjoyed as street food.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6 pancakes
Full Ingredient List
- 2 cups fresh corn, cut from the cob
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 tbsp masa harina
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
Cachapas Batter
Tools and Equipment
- blender
- 5-1/2 inch frying pan
- spatula
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cups | fresh corn | cut from the cob | frozen corn, thawed |
| 1 | egg | ||
| 1/2 cup | milk | ||
| 4 tbsp | masa harina | all-purpose flour | |
| 1 tbsp | sugar | ||
| 1 tsp | salt |
Instructions
- Step 1: Add fresh corn, egg, milk, masa harina, sugar, and salt in a blender and blend until a thick paste forms. Let stand for about 10 minutes to thicken. (Tips: If the mixture is too thin, add more masa harina.)
- Step 2: Preheat a frying pan over medium heat and add butter to grease it.
- Step 3: Pour 1/3 cup of batter into the frying pan to form a circle. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip with a spatula and cook for another 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 4: Place sliced mozzarella on one half of the cachapa, let it melt, and fold the other half over the cheese. Serve hot. (Tips: Spread some butter on top after folding.)
Cheese Filling
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | fresh mozzarella | sliced | queso de mano |
Instructions
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 222
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
Additional Information
Notes: If using frozen corn, defrost thoroughly and ensure any moisture has been drained off to avoid thinning the batter.
Background: Cachapas come from Venezuela, specifically from the Miranda region, where corn holds significant cultural importance. These pancakes are traditionally cooked on a clay or iron plate known as a budare and are typically served with queso de mano.
Geographic Region: Venezuelan
Seasonality: Summer
Occasion: Breakfast, Snack
Recommended Pairings
- Green salad
- Chopped vegetable salad
Tags
Venezuelan South American corn cheese pancake appetizer breakfast street food snack gluten-free