Fried Cheese Balls With Guava Dipping Sauce

By
Hector Rodriguez
Hector Rodriguez
A Puerto Rico native and former food service professional, Hector Rodriguez develops recipes inspired by the Caribbean and Latin America.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/6/22
Tested by
Renae Wilson
Photo of Renae E. Wilson
Tested by Renae Wilson
Renae has certifications in both Pastry Arts and Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and works as a private chef and caterer, recipe tester and developer, and food writer. Renae has written and developed recipes for Rachael Ray In Season, the Kitchn, Food52, and more.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Fried Cheese Balls With Guava Dipping Sauce

The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Chill: 30 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 22 to 24 balls

Latin cuisine features many different kinds of cheeses, blending European and American influences in a unique way. Add a little guava dipping sauce to some good cheese and you've got a Latin gem. 

We love to make this recipe for savory fried cheese balls—bolitas de queso—when we're throwing a party. The tangy sweetness of the guava pairs nicely with the savory cheese. It's the perfect party fritter, appetizer or finger food. The cheeses—Gouda or Edam work best—may hail from other regions, but the end result is quintessentially Latin American. 

"Cheese will always win for a party appetizer. These cheese balls make the perfect addition to any bite-sized spread. The tang and sweetness of the guava sauce takes things to the next level." —Renae Wilson

fried-cheese-balls-with-guava-sauce-2137750-Renae-Wilson-2021_2
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Cheese Balls:

  • 1/2 pound Gouda cheese, or Edam, shredded

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 large egg white

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, for dredging

For the Guava Dipping Sauce:

  • 4 ounces (4 tablespoons) guava paste

  • 2 2/3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

  • 1/4 cup water

Steps to Make It

Prepare the Cheeseball Dough

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Fried Cheese Balls With Guava Dipping Sauce ingredients

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  2. Place the shredded cheese, 3 tablespoons flour, and egg white into a mixing bowl.

    Place the shredded cheese, flour, and egg white into a mixing bowl

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  3. Knead the ingredients together by hand to form a firm dough. 

    Knead the ingredients together by hand to form a firm dough

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  4. Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will firm it so the balls hold together when you form them.

    Place the dough in a bowl

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

Prepare the Guava Dipping Sauce

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Guava Dipping Sauce

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  2. Combine the guava paste, vinegar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat.

    Combine the guava paste, vinegar and water in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  3. Use a whisk to smooth out the paste into a creamy sauce. This will take a few minutes. Keep whisking or it will burn.

    guava sauce in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  4. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool. 

    guava dipping sauce in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

Fry the Dough

  1. Break off chunks of the cheese dough (about a tablespoon per ball) and use the palms of your hands to form them into balls of uniform size. 

    dough balls on a plate

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  2. Heat the oil to 350 F in a deep fryer or fill a heavy bottomed pot with approximately 2 inches of oil. 

    pot with oil

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  3. Lightly dredge the balls in the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour and shake off the excess. Fry them, in batches, in the hot oil until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

    dough balls frying in oil

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  4. Remove the cheese balls from the oil and allow them to drain on paper towels before serving. 

    Fried Cheese Balls on a paper towel line platter

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

  5. Serve the cheese balls with the guava dipping sauce on the side. 

    Fried Cheese Balls With Guava Dipping Sauce

    The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

Tips

  • Although mixing the dough by hand is ideal, you can use a stand mixer to make lighter work of it.
  • If you don't have a deep fryer, you can use a large heavy frying pan, ideally cast iron. Use about an inch of oil and turn the balls periodically for even cooking.
  • The temperature of the oil is important. If you don't have a deep fryer with temperature control, use a candy thermometer or a deep-fry thermometer to test the temperature of the oil before you place the cheese balls into it. 

Recipe Variation

  • Feel free to add spices of your choice or a little cayenne or red pepper to the cheese balls for an added zing. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
544 Calories
39g Fat
33g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 544
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g 50%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 366mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 277mg 21%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 109mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)