Cachapas, Venezuelan Corn Pancakes
Recipe: Cachapas, Venezuelan Corn Pancakes
Cachapas, Venezulean Corn Pancakes are easy to make, soft, tender and delicious. All the ingredients are blended in a food processor. The pancakes are stuffed with cheese and enjoyed as a snack or breakfast. This popular street food can easily be enjoyed as a meal by adding some protein and salad on the side.
Memories
The first time I had tried out this recipe was way back in Nov 2017. I had prepared them for FoodieMonday/ Bloghop group where the 117th theme was pancakes. Back then I had used only cornmeal and the pancakes turned out a bit irregular and not so tender. Over time I came across other recipes whereby all purpose flour too was added. I find that using both cornmeal and all purpose flour makes it easier to make the pancakes without them breaking or getting a bit too dry.
Sharing Cachapas, Venezuelan Corn Pancakes Recipe With The Group Sunday Funday
This Sunday’s theme was suggested by Wendy who blogs at A Day in the Life on the Farm. This is what she suggested, “Corn is ripe and ready for the pickin’. Please share your favorite “corny” recipe with us today”. Corn happens to be my favourite. I have several corn recipes already on the blog. So, instead of adding a new one decided to redo an old recipe. I have added all purpose flour to the recipe and removed sugar. We found the pancakes too sweet as corn tends to be naturally sweet.
What Are Cachapas?
Cachapas are Venezuelan Corn Pancakes made from fresh yellow corn. Usually stuffed with soft cheese called Queso de Mano. The edges of the pancakes tend to be crispy but the inner side is soft and tender. They are different from arepas. Arepas is made using a firm dried cornmeal dough while cachacas is made from a batter. Sometimes protein like beef, pork, ham, etc is added to the pancakes. It is generally served with a dollop of butter and fresh cream. Cachapas are popular as street food in Venezuela.
Some Recipes With Corn That You May Like
Check Out Corn Recipes By Members Of Sunday Funday
- Culinary Cam: All the Summer’s Darlings Salad
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Cachapas, Venezuelan Corn Pancakes
- Sneha’s Recipe: Corn Patties /Corn Potato Chops
- Food Lust People Love: Elotes – Spicy Cheesy Grilled Corn
- Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking: Fresh Corn Relish Salad
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Roasted Corn and Sweet Pepper Chopped Salad with Tomatoes, Black Beans, and Summer Squash
- Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Smoked Paprika Cornbread Croutons
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Smoky Southwestern Corn Salad with Chives
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Succotash Salad
Ingredients Required For Cachapas, Venezuelan Corn Pancakes
Corn Kernels
Cornmeal
Either white or yellow. Also known as masa harina. Traditionally only cornmeal is used but for better texture I add also all purpose flour.
All Purpose Flour
I add some as it helps to ‘hold’ the pancake together. Also helps to make the texture more soft.
Egg
Add one large egg to the batter. Helps to bind the ingredients and also adds the custardy soft texture.
Milk
Best to use full fat milk and not skimmed.
Salt
Add some according to your taste.
Sugar
I don’t add any. If you wish, add about ½ – 1 tbsp.
Cheese
Queso De Mano is generally added to the pancake.Since I don’t get it where I live, I add either mozzarella or feta. Sometimes I go for shredded mix of mozzarella and cheddar. Need about 1 cup shredded mozzarella or about 110g sliced.
Jalapeño
Slice one or two jalapeños. This is an optional ingredient. However, I do recommend it as it adds so much flavour.
Garlic
About 2-3 cloves of garlic.
Butter
Add some to the batter and some for topping. I usually don’t add extra butter on top.
Oil
Need any oil of your choice to cook the pancakes. Or can use butter if you wish.
CACHAPAS
Ingredients
FOR THE CACHAPAS BATTER
- 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
- ¼ cup cornmeal |masa harina
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup full fat milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½-1 tbsp sugar optional
- 2 tbsp soft butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic peeled
- some oil for cooking the pancakes
FOR THE TOPPING
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded or 110g sliced
- 1-2 jalapeño sliced
Instructions
- Add the corn kernels, flours, salt, sugar, egg, milk, garlic and butter to a blender jug or jar.
- Process the mixture to a smooth batter.
- Transfer the batter to a mixing bowl.
- Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat.
- Brush it lightly with oil or butter.
- Add about ¼ cup batter to the hot griddle or pan.
- Spread the batter using a ladle spoon into a circular shape.
- Drizzle some oil around the edges.
- Add some jalapeño slices.
- Allow the cachapa to cook for 2-3 minutes. Cover the pan for faster cooking.
- Flip the cachapa over. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Flip it again. Add some cheese on half side of the pancake.
- Fold the other half over the cheese.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes for the cheese to melt a bit.
- Repeat the above steps with the remaining batter.
- If you have a bigger griddle or frying pan, can make 2 at a time.
Notes
- For a protein rich meal, add cooked meat like beef, pork, ham, chicken, etc.
- I like to add cottage cheese to make it protein rich.
- Can serve it with some salad, avocado slices, etc.
- Can add a dollop of butter and serve it with some sour cream. Or simply serve it with some hot sauce.
Pin For Later
A Small Request
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62
59 Comments
Srivalli
November 6, 2017 at 8:55 am
I loved when I made these cachapas..they turned out fantastic..very nicely done mayuri..
firsttimercook
November 6, 2017 at 9:49 am
Love these gluten free pancakes di, much tempting ones 👌
Poonam Bachhav
November 6, 2017 at 12:15 pm
You always come up with an interesting or innovative recipe di..lovely share !
Sharmila- The Happie Friends Potpourri corner
November 6, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Yummy and quite interesting !! Should try this out soon!! My daughter loves it with sweetcorn !!
Priya Suresh
November 6, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Wow, cachapas looks absolutely delicious, cant wait to make some soon.
Sujata Roy
November 7, 2017 at 2:24 am
Corn meal pancake looks great Mayuri. Excellent share. I love corn. Would love to try soon.
Saswati Hota
November 7, 2017 at 2:48 am
Such a different pancake…Cornmeal and cheese sounds lovely.Would have loved to see the handbags too☺
waagmi Soni
November 7, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Guess what dee We both came with same thought love those cheesy pancakes 🙂
Pavani N
November 7, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Cachapas have been on my to-make list for a while now. You are tempting me to try them out soon. They look so cheesy and delicious.
Sounds like you and your daughter had a great day together. Enjoy!!
Sapana Behl
November 7, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Wow sweetcorn pancakes sounds very interesting. I will try them soon as my girls love sweetcorn.
Nandita Gupta
November 8, 2017 at 6:47 am
A lovely and light recipe. I love to use sweet corn in my dishes and this one is such a unique recipe
Priya Iyer
November 8, 2017 at 8:44 am
Wow! So tempting! 🙂
Jagruti Dhanecha
November 8, 2017 at 10:08 am
These sweetcorn pancakes sounds delicious and exciting. With cheese on top I am sold 🙂
Padmajha PJ
November 8, 2017 at 1:13 pm
That is an interesting recipe Mayuri! All the other pancakes too look nice!
Nisa@flavour Diary
November 8, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Dee I tried this today for breakfast without cheese (I forgot to add) it turned awesome my kids loved them… quick n easy recipe …yum
Shobha
November 8, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Very different and nice recipe of pancakes. It is nice to keep trying out dishes from various cuisines of the world.
jayashree
November 9, 2017 at 5:59 am
Lovely pancakes Mayuri. would love to try these cachapas.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:46 am
Aren't they delicious Srivalli! Thanks
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:46 am
Thanks Sasmita
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:46 am
Thank you Poonam.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:47 am
Try them Sharmila, and they are so easy to make.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:47 am
Try them Priya, they are delicious.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:49 am
Thank you Sujata, do try them, they are yummy.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:50 am
Hahhhaa Saswati, as I said mine are not fancy! Just regular handbags that can fit in half the world 🙂
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:51 am
Loved your corn pancakes as you've used regular flour Waagmi.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:52 am
Yes we did Pavani, and do try the pancakes, am sure you'll be able to get the typical Mexican soft cheese to add to it.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:52 am
Corn and cheese is a classic combination, am sure it will be a hit at home.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:53 am
Nandita the pancakes were definitely light. I added less cheese but the original ones have loads of cheese on it.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:54 am
Thanks Priya
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:54 am
Thanks Jagruti, they are try them.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:55 am
Thanks Padmajha, we had a fun theme and yes the others too have come up with amazing pancakes.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:55 am
Nisa thank you so much for trying them out. I'm glad that your kids loved them.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:56 am
Thank you Shobha, its definitely fun to try out new cuisines.
Mayuri Patel
November 9, 2017 at 7:57 am
Try them Jayashree, they are not heavy and are delicious.
THE FOOD SAMARITAN.
November 9, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Awesome pancakes!You always try out something new and make us drool!
Preethi Prasad
November 19, 2017 at 3:46 am
These Cheesy Pancakes look so tempting. Fab share Mayuri dee.I love savoury pancakes.Bookmarking it.
veena krishnakumar
December 11, 2017 at 8:59 am
Have seen this in a couple of blogs. These look so good Mayuri. Awesome share
Aruna
January 29, 2018 at 3:06 pm
There are pancakes and then there are pancakes. I have made these with makki ka atta. 🙂
krispykadhai
February 4, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Looks amazing 🙂
Mallika Bhandary
February 8, 2018 at 11:35 am
As a corn lover…these look just perfect to me!! Delicious!
Wendy Klik
August 2, 2026 at 6:28 am
These sound amazing. I can’t wait to make them.
mayurisjikoni
August 2, 2026 at 10:57 pm
Thanks Wendy, am sure your husband will love them…a different way to enjoy fresh corn.
Stacy
August 2, 2026 at 9:46 am
I lived in Caracas as a child and my mom would buy queso de mano for me from a vendor walking between the slow moving cars during rush hour, selling his cheese. I adored it! Years later, we lived in Maracaibo and I never found any queso de mano that was quite as good as the one we bought in the fumes from the idling traffic. You’ve brought back some lovely memories for me, Mayuri, and your cachapas look fabulous!
mayurisjikoni
August 2, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Thank you so much Stacy. Happy to bring back fond memories.
Karen’s Kitchen Stories
August 2, 2026 at 1:04 pm
These look great. I love how you used fresh corn. The addition of cheese sounds delicious too.
mayurisjikoni
August 2, 2026 at 10:55 pm
Thanks Karen. the melted cheese is for sure a delight in these pancakes.
Camilla M Mann
August 2, 2026 at 3:03 pm
I will definitely be trying this soon! Thanks for the inspiration.
mayurisjikoni
August 2, 2026 at 10:55 pm
You’re welcome Camilla. Enjoy.
Colleen – Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
August 2, 2026 at 3:26 pm
These sound truly delicious. And they would be so fun to experiment with…different seasonings, added herbs, combinations of different cheeses. YUM!!!
mayurisjikoni
August 2, 2026 at 10:54 pm
Thanks Colleen definitely can experiment and add your own herbs, seasoning, filling, etc. A pleasant change from the usual boring breakfast.
Sasmitaa Sahoo
August 5, 2026 at 10:58 pm
These Venezuelan corn pancakes look so soft and tempting. Stuffing them with cheese is such a wonderful idea, and I love how they can be enjoyed for breakfast, a snack, or even a wholesome meal.
Such a delightful recipe!
mayurisjikoni
August 7, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Thank you so much Sasmitaa. Hope you’ll get a chance to make them.
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August 6, 2026 at 5:21 pm
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Sneha Datar
August 7, 2026 at 5:58 am
I love these pancakes!
mayurisjikoni
August 7, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Thanks Sneha.
Radha
August 9, 2026 at 12:52 am
Sweet corn is in season and I know already that these pancakes will be a hit in our home. This is summer at its best in flavors.
mayurisjikoni
August 9, 2026 at 7:39 pm
Thanks Radha,these pancakes turn out really good with tender corn. I’ve also made it with frozen and it works well.
kalyani
August 26, 2026 at 10:52 pm
That corn pancake looks absolutely fabulous. I guess I can sub Masa Harina with barik lapsi (daliya) / couscous for that gritty feel!
mayurisjikoni
August 27, 2026 at 8:36 pm
If you sub the cornmeal then it would not be cachapas.