Venezuelan Cachapas

Venezuelan cachapas are thick, rustic pancakes made from fresh ground corn rather than cornmeal. They represent a pre-Columbian staple that remains central to Venezuelan cuisine today.

The sweet corn pancake is typically folded in half and stuffed with soft white queso de mano cheese. This mild, stretchy Venezuelan cheese is very similar to Colombian cuajada or Mexican Oaxaca cheese.

While both are iconic Venezuelan foods, cachapas are made from a sweet batter of fresh corn kernels blended with milk and eggs, then pan-fried like a pancake. Arepas, on the other hand, are made from precooked cornmeal and grilled on a flat surface.

While queso de mano is the classic filling, it is very common to add thin slices of fried pork or crispy chicharrón inside the folded pancake. This turns the sweet, savory snack into a highly filling meal.