Dominican Breakfast Cheese: Frying The Perfect Treat

Queso frito, or fried cheese, is a popular breakfast food in the Dominican Republic. It is made by frying slices of queso blanco, a salty white cheese with a high melting point, in hot oil until they develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior. The cheese is typically served alongside other traditional Dominican breakfast foods such as mangú (mashed plantains), salami, and fried eggs.

Los Tres Golpes: the traditional Dominican breakfast

Los Tres Golpes, or "the three hits", is a traditional Dominican breakfast. It consists of queso frito (fried cheese), mangú with red onions, fried eggs, and fried salami.

Queso frito, or "fried cheese" in Spanish, is made with queso de freír, a salty Dominican cheese with a high melting point. This cheese is typically fried, and its high melting point means it keeps its shape when deep-fried. For this reason, it is a favourite among those on a low-carb diet. If you can't find queso de freir, halloumi (without mint) can be used as an alternative, as the taste and texture are very similar.

To make queso frito, cut the cheese into slices around 1/4" thick. Pat the cheese dry with a paper towel to minimise splatter. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a pan, and fry the cheese on one side until it turns golden brown. Repeat on the other side. Frying time depends on taste—some prefer their cheese lightly golden and melty, while others like it crisp and dark.

Los Tres Golpes is often served with a cup of café con leche (Dominican latte) or another hot breakfast drink.

Queso de freír: a salty Dominican cheese

Queso de freír, or queso blanco, is a salty cheese from the Dominican Republic with a very high melting point. It is almost always served fried and is a key component of the traditional Dominican breakfast, Los Tres Golpes.

How to cook queso de freír

To cook queso de freír, cut the cheese into slices around 1/4 inch thick. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel to minimise splattering, then heat oil in a pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the cheese on one side until it turns golden brown—how long you fry it for depends on your taste. Some prefer it lightly golden and melty, while others like it darker and crispier. If the cheese melts when you fry it, coat the slices with a fine layer of cornstarch before frying.

Serving suggestions

Los Tres Golpes is made up of queso frito (fried cheese), Mangú with red onions, fried eggs, and fried Dominican salami. Queso de freír also goes well with Puré de auyama (pumpkin mash) and Puré de yautía (malanga mash).

Substitutes

If you can't find queso de freír, halloumi (without mint) has a similar taste and texture.

Frying technique: how to fry without melting

Queso frito, or "fried cheese" in Spanish, is a popular breakfast dish in the Dominican Republic. It is made by frying queso blanco, a salty Dominican cheese with a high melting point.

If you are unable to find queso blanco, halloumi is a good alternative as it has a similar taste and texture, and also has a high melting point. Paneer and provolone are other types of cheese with high melting points that can be used for frying.

Choose the right type of cheese

Select a firm cheese with a high melting point, such as halloumi, paneer, provolone, or queso blanco. These cheeses can withstand high temperatures without melting, making them ideal for frying.

Prepare the cheese

Cut the cheese into uniform slices or bite-sized pieces. Blot the cheese with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture and prevent splattering when it hits the hot oil. You can also lightly brush each piece of cheese with oil before frying.

Use the right cookware

A non-stick frying pan is essential for frying cheese. It helps to prevent the cheese from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup easier. Preheat your non-stick pan over medium heat—this gives you more control over the temperature and prevents the cheese from burning or melting too quickly.

Fry the cheese

Once your pan is hot and your cheese is prepared, carefully add the cheese to the pan. Fry the cheese until it develops a golden-brown exterior. This should only take a minute or two per side. Keep an eye on the cheese as it cooks, as it can smoke and release oil. Use tongs or a spatula to flip the cheese and ensure even cooking.

Drain and serve

Use a slotted spoon or spatula to remove the fried cheese from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drip off. Transfer the cheese to a plate lined with paper towels or a cooling rack to absorb any remaining oil. Serve the fried cheese hot and crispy, as a snack or appetizer. It can be paired with various dipping sauces, such as guava sauce, spicy salsa, or garlic aioli.

Serving suggestions: what to eat alongside fried cheese

Fried cheese is a delicious treat, but what should you eat alongside it? Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your fried cheese dish:

Traditional Dominican Breakfast

In the Dominican Republic, fried cheese is an essential part of the traditional breakfast, Los Tres Golpes. Typically, this includes queso frito (fried cheese), Mangú with red onions, fried eggs, and fried Dominican salami. Queso frito is usually made with queso de freír, a salty Dominican cheese with a high melting point, but halloumi is a suitable substitute.

Dipping Sauces and Dressings

Fried cheese is often served with a dipping sauce or coated in a dressing. For example, fried cheese curds are commonly served with a dipping sauce. Mozzarella sticks are another example, usually served with a marinara dipping sauce.

Side Dishes

Fried cheese can be served as a side dish alongside other foods. In Bulgaria, a common side dish offered in most restaurants consists of French fries topped with grated or crumbled sirene (a type of white brine cheese). In the Netherlands, a dish called 'kapsalon' is served as fast food, which includes fries covered with cheese, salad, and shawarma or doner kebab, often accompanied by garlic or chilli sauce.

Loaded Cheese Fries

For a hearty option, consider combining fried cheese with French fries to create loaded cheese fries. This dish is popular in English-speaking countries and can include various toppings such as bacon, jalapeños, sour cream, and different types of cheese. In the Southwestern US, loaded fries are often covered in melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits, jalapeño slices, and chives, served with ranch dressing. In Philadelphia, pizza fries are topped with melted mozzarella and served with pizza sauce.

Nutritional information: calories, protein, fat, etc

Frying cheese is a common practice in the Dominican Republic, with queso frito (Spanish for "fried cheese") being a popular breakfast food. This is made with queso de freír, queso blanco, or queso fresco—a salty, white cheese with a high melting point.

Nutritional Information:

The nutritional value of fried cheese will depend on the type of cheese and oil used, as well as the quantity consumed. Here is a rough guide based on a serving size of 9 oz (255 g) of queso frito:

• Calories: 240-454
• Carbohydrates: 0-1 g
• Protein: 13.5-25 g
• Total Fat: 20.25-39 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.9-21 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Sodium: 495-1361 mg
• Fiber: 0-1 g
• Sugar: 0-1 g
• Calcium: 1134 mg

As you can see, fried cheese is high in fat and sodium, and should therefore be consumed in moderation. It does, however, also provide a good amount of protein and calcium.

Frequently asked questions