Puerto Rican Alcapurrias (Beef-Filled Fritters)
Puerto Rican alcapurrias are crispy fritters made with green plantain and yautía masa wrapped around a savory beef picadillo filling. Fry them until deep golden brown for a classic Puerto Rican street food you can make at home.
Ingredients
Dough - Masa
Instructions
Prepare the beef filling - Picadillo
- Add the olive oil to a skillet on medium heat then sauté the onion until translucent.
- Add the ground beef, salt, garlic, cumin, oregano, sofrito, sazón and chopped olives.
- Simmer and stir fry the beef. Brown all the beef then set it aside to cool.
Prepare the dough - Masa
- While the meat is cooling, peel the yaitua and plantain then shred them with the grater blade of your food processor. Depending on the size of your food processor you may have to work in batches.
- Change the food processor blade to the cutter blade to puree the shredded plantain and yautia.
- Place the dough in a bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight is also fine.
Filling and Frying the Alcapurrias
- Scoop the dough using a standard ice cream scoop.
- Place the dough ball on parchment paper then flatten into about a 3-4 inch circle. Take 1 tablespoon of the picadillo and place it into the center of the dough.
- Lift one side of the parchment paper so the circle of dough forms a taco shape and continue rolling into a cigar shape using the paper.
- Once it forms a cylinder press the ends together to close it off. You want all the meat encapsulated in the dough.
- Place the alcapurrias in oil heated to 350°F until they are brown on one side then flip them over to fry the other side. You want them dark brown, not just golden brown so the dough cooks all the way through. This should take 6 or 7 minutes and feel free to flip them a couple time for even browning. Work in batches of 3 or 4 at a time depending on the size of your frying pan.
- Place the fried alcapurrias on a plate lined with paper towel to drain.
Notes
The recipe yields about 20 alcapurrias.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long can I store the alcapurrias?
You can store these in the refrigerator for 4 days after frying.
You can store these in the refrigerator for 4 days after frying.
How do I reheat the alcapurrias?
Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 10 minutes until warm in the center. I like to put them in my air fryer for 5 minutes at 250°F.
Reheat in the oven at 250°F for 10 minutes until warm in the center. I like to put them in my air fryer for 5 minutes at 250°F.
Can I freeze alcapurrias?
Yes, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container before frying. Remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw for about 1 hour before frying.
Yes, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container before frying. Remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw for about 1 hour before frying.
If you have extra beef filling leftover, it makes great tacos!
Nutrition
Calories: 452kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 852mgPotassium: 829mgFiber: 4gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 835IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg
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