Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites with Garlic Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites with Garlic Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
For the Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites
- 2 pounds yuca, fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 cups cooking oil, for deep frying
For the Garlic Cilantro Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
For Serving
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- 1
Place the yuca in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the yuca is fork-tender but not mushy. Drain the yuca and set aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min
- 2
While the yuca cools, prepare the garlic cilantro dipping sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the sour cream, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Once the yuca is cool enough to handle, carefully remove the tough, fibrous vein that runs through the center of each piece. Place the prepared yuca in a large bowl and mash it thoroughly with a potato masher or fork until it's fairly smooth.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Add the melted butter, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the mashed yuca. Mix and knead the yuca until it forms a cohesive, dough-like consistency. Adjust salt to taste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Take about 1 tablespoon of the mashed yuca mixture. Flatten it slightly in your palm and create a small well in the center. Place a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 tablespoon) into the well. Carefully close the yuca around the cheese, shaping it into a small ball, ensuring the cheese is completely sealed inside. Repeat this process with the remaining yuca and cheese.
⏱️ 20 min
- 6
In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to submerge the yuca bites. If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a small piece of yuca; it should sizzle immediately.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
Carefully place a few yuca bites into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried yuca bites from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350
- 8
Serve the crispy, cheesy yuca bites hot, accompanied by the prepared garlic cilantro dipping sauce and lime wedges for an added fresh squeeze. The interior of the bites will reveal gooey, melted mozzarella cheese when broken open.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites with Garlic Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
For the Crispy Cheesy Yuca Bites
- 2 pounds yuca, fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 cups cooking oil, for deep frying
For the Garlic Cilantro Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
For Serving
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- 1
Place the yuca in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the yuca is fork-tender but not mushy. Drain the yuca and set aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min - 2
While the yuca cools, prepare the garlic cilantro dipping sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the sour cream, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Once the yuca is cool enough to handle, carefully remove the tough, fibrous vein that runs through the center of each piece. Place the prepared yuca in a large bowl and mash it thoroughly with a potato masher or fork until it's fairly smooth.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Add the melted butter, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the mashed yuca. Mix and knead the yuca until it forms a cohesive, dough-like consistency. Adjust salt to taste.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Take about 1 tablespoon of the mashed yuca mixture. Flatten it slightly in your palm and create a small well in the center. Place a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 tablespoon) into the well. Carefully close the yuca around the cheese, shaping it into a small ball, ensuring the cheese is completely sealed inside. Repeat this process with the remaining yuca and cheese.
⏱️ 20 min - 6
In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to submerge the yuca bites. If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a small piece of yuca; it should sizzle immediately.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
Carefully place a few yuca bites into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried yuca bites from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 8
Serve the crispy, cheesy yuca bites hot, accompanied by the prepared garlic cilantro dipping sauce and lime wedges for an added fresh squeeze. The interior of the bites will reveal gooey, melted mozzarella cheese when broken open.
⏱️ 5 min