Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters
Golden fried cassava fritters stuffed with creamy cheese, offering a crispy exterior and soft, cheesy center. This brazilian-inspired snacks ready in about 35 minutes turns cassava (yuca) root, peeled and grated, mozzarella cheese, shredded, all-purpose flour into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cassava (yuca) root, peeled and grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and peel cassava root, then grate until you have 2 cups grated cassava. Place grated cassava in a clean cloth and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups grated cassava, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix well to form a sticky dough.
- Step 3: Take a small handful of the cassava mixture, flatten it in your palm, and place 1 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese in the center. Fold the edges over the cheese and shape into a ball, then gently flatten into a patty about 2.5 inches in diameter. Repeat to make 10-12 fritters.
- Step 4: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat to 350°F. Fry the fritters in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 5: Remove fritters with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm to enjoy the melted cheese center with the crispy cassava exterior.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Brazilian Cassava and Cheese Fritters?
Brazilian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
