Cheese-Filled Cireng: The Viral Snack That's Easy to Make
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Cheese-filled Cireng (fried tapioca dumplings) has been going viral on social media lately, and it's no surprise — who could resist a crispy fried snack with a gooey, melted cheese filling? The good news is that making cheese-filled cireng at home is actually really easy! Let's go through the full recipe.
Cireng Dough Ingredients
You'll need: tapioca/cassava starch (250g), all-purpose flour (50g), minced garlic (3 cloves), salt (1 tsp), seasoning powder/bouillon (1/2 tsp), sliced scallions (2 stalks), and hot boiling water (200ml).
Filling Ingredients
Mozzarella cheese (150g, cut into small cubes) or shredded cheddar cheese. You can also mix them — mozzarella for that melty effect and cheddar for a savory flavor.
How to Make It
Mix the tapioca starch, all-purpose flour, minced garlic, salt, and seasoning powder in a large bowl. Pour in the hot water little by little while stirring with a spoon (careful, it's hot!). Once it's cooled down a bit, knead by hand until smooth and no longer sticky.
Add the sliced scallions and knead until evenly combined. Take a small portion of dough (about 2 tbsp), flatten it in your palm, place a cube of cheese in the center, then shape it into a ball and seal the edges tightly. Make sure there are no gaps so the cheese doesn't leak out while frying.
Heat oil over medium heat. Fry the cireng until golden brown and floating. Remove and drain. Serve while hot so the cheese is still melty!
Tips for Perfect Cireng
First, the water MUST be truly boiling — this is what allows the dough to become smooth and pliable. Second, don't add too much all-purpose flour, or the texture will turn out hard instead of chewy. Third, fry over medium heat — too high a heat will burn the outside before the inside is fully cooked. Fourth, seal the dough tightly when wrapping the cheese so it doesn't burst open.
Other Filling Variations
Besides cheese, you can also try other fillings: rujak chili sauce, shredded chicken, sausage, or a combination of cheese and sausage. If you're thinking of selling them, cheese-filled cireng has a great profit margin since the ingredients are cheap but you can sell them for around Rp 2,000-3,000 (about 13-20 cents) each!
