The Americas Venezuela

Tequeños

Name: Tequeños
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: The Americas
Ingredients: 250g / 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3g / 1/2 tsp salt; 12g / 1 tbsp sugar; 57g / 1/4 cup butter, softened; 120ml / 1/2 cup water; 225g / 8 ounces cheese (blanco or mozzarella); 500ml / 2 cups oil for frying

Venezuelan Cheese Sticks, Tequeños De Queso, Pastelitos De Queso

Difficulty: Medium
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Make Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 320 / serving
Diet: Non-Veg

The essentials, at a glance

The Americas Snack Finger FoodSnack

Tequeños are traditional Venezuelan fried cheese sticks wrapped in a soft, salty dough. They offer a satisfying contrast between a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted centre. These savoury treats are a staple at parties and social gatherings across Latin America.

ProteinProtein 12.0g

FatFat 18.0g

CarbsCarbs 28.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

Ingredients

Servings: 4

250g / 2 cups plain flour

3g / 1/2 tsp salt

12g / 1 tbsp sugar

57g / 1/4 cup butter, softened

120ml / 1/2 cup h2o

225g / 8 ounces fromage (blanco or mozzarella)

500ml / 2 cups oils for frying

Ingredients at a glance

Adjust quantities to your preferred serving size.
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Instructions

Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl, rubbing in softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Gradually add water and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Cut cheese into strips of 1.25cm x 7.5cm (1/2 inch x 3 inches).

Roll dough to 3mm (1/8 inch) thickness and cut into 7.5cm x 12.5cm (3 x 5 inch) rectangles.

Place a cheese strip at the short end of each rectangle and roll the dough around the cheese, sealing the edges tightly.

Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Nutritional Benefits

Provides calcium from cheese and energy from carbohydrates.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Golden Venezuelan Cheese Treats

Andrew T. 27 Apr 2026

From the Blog

All Contributions

Tequeños · Andrew T.

Hailing from the Los Andes region of Venezuela, these savoury sticks are a brilliant example of how simple ingredients can create a world-class snack. As someone who loves exploring global flavours, I find the combination of a crisp, salty pastry and a gooey centre absolutely irresistible.

The Secret to the Perfect Crunch

The magic lies in the kneading process; working the dough until it is smooth and elastic ensures the cheese stays securely tucked inside during frying. When the hot oil hits the dough, it creates a golden shell that protects the melting blanco cheese. I recommend serving these piping hot with a dollop of guasacaca to add a zesty, creamy contrast to the rich fried dough. They are a fantastic way to bring a bit of Latin American hospitality to your next gathering.