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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
