Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce
Cheese-stuffed fried bread sticks known as tequeños, grilled to golden perfection and paired with a sweet guava dipping sauce. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 57 minutes blends all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold and cubed, cold water into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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
- 12 sticks, 3 inches long mozzarella cheese sticks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup guava paste
- 1/4 cup water for sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add 1/2 cup cold water and pulse until dough forms. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 1/8-inch thick rectangle. Cut into 12 strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.
- Step 4: Wrap each 3-inch mozzarella cheese stick with a dough strip, sealing edges by pinching gently.
- Step 5: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 6: Grill the wrapped tequeños for 3-4 minutes per side, turning carefully until golden and the dough is cooked through.
- Step 7: For the guava dipping sauce, combine 1/2 cup guava paste, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tbsp lime juice in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until guava paste dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Serve the grilled tequeños warm with the guava dipping sauce for a sweet and savory appetizer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 57 minutes (45 min prep + 12 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce?
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 Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce 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 Grilled Tequeños with Guava Dipping Sauce?
Latin American 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.
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