A traditional Puerto Rican street food — Alcapurrias are torpedo-shaped fritters made from grated yautía and green bananas, stuffed with seasoned ground beef and fried until crackling. The pale root-vegetable masa turns crisp outside and meltingly soft within, with the faint sweetness of banana cutting through the savory picadillo. Vendors have fried them at beaches and roadsides across the island for generations.
Alcapurrias
A traditional Puerto Rican street food — Alcapurrias are torpedo-shaped fritters made from grated yautía and green bananas, stuffed with seasoned ground beef and fried until crackling.

Step by stepInstructions
- Grate the yautía and green bananas on the fine holes of a box grater or in a food processor. Mix in the annatto oil and salt until the masa holds together when squeezed.
- Cook the beef with the sofrito, tomato sauce, adobo and olives until browned and dry, about 8 minutes; let cool.
- Scoop about 1/2 cup of masa, press it flat in your palm, and mound 2 tablespoons of picadillo in the center. Shape into a smooth 4-inch (10 cm) elongated torpedo, sealing the filling completely.
- Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry the alcapurrias in batches, turning often, until deep golden and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Keep your hands moistened with water while shaping so the sticky masa does not cling. Yautía can be replaced with a mix of green plantain and malanga if needed.

Join the conversation
Only members can comment — it takes a few seconds to create a free account.
Log in Create an account