Yoyos Zulianos

Yoyos Zulianos are a beloved treat from Maracaibo, Venezuela —ripe plantain slices stuffed with ham and cheese, dipped in a simple egg-and-flour batter, and fried until golden. The result? A perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite. Our Tropical Queso Llanero will give you the authentic Venezuelan flavor.

Yoyos are traditionally served as part of breakfast or enjoyed as street food; they’re also easy to make at home—great for starting your day or enjoying as a mid-afternoon snack. We strongly recommend serving with Venezuelan Tropical Nata for dipping! It takes them to the next level.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe yellow plantains
• 8 slices of Tropical Queso Llanero
• 8 slices of Tropical Cooked Ham
• 2 cups of frying oil
• Tropical Nata for dipping

Batter:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of mustard
• ⅔ cup of wheat flour
• ¼ cup of water
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Peel and remove the ends of the ripe yellow plantains. Cut them once down the middle, then slice four vertical pieces from each section. 
2. Add oil to a skillet on medium-high heat and fry the plantain slices until brown on both sides. 
3. Prepare a batter mixture using the eggs, mustard, wheat flour, and water. Add a pinch of salt.
4. Grab a pair of fried plantain slices, place a slice of Queso Llanero and a slice of Cooked Ham between them to form a sandwich, secure with a toothpick.
5. Dip them into the batter mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
6. On the same skillet, fry the battered sandwich in plenty of oil until golden brown on both sides. 
7. Serve with Nata for dipping.