Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip
Golden fried cassava fritters stuffed with melted cheese, served alongside a tangy cilantro-lime dipping sauce for a popular Brazilian snack. This Brazilian-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, turns cassava (yuca), 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), peeled and grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 clove garlic clove, minced
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Squeeze excess moisture from 2 cups peeled and grated cassava using a clean kitchen towel. In a mixing bowl, combine the cassava with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Form the cassava mixture into 12 small oval fritters about 2 inches long.
- Step 3: Fry the fritters in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, turning carefully with a slotted spoon.
- Step 4: Transfer fritters to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 5: For the dip, combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl; stir well and serve chilled alongside the warm fritters for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip 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 Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip?
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 Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip?
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 Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip 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 Crispy Cheese and Cassava Fritters with Cilantro-Lime Dip?
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.
