Pandebono Recipe: Chewy Colombian Cheese Bread Rolls 2026

Pandebono is a Colombian cheese bread roll with a springy, chewy crumb and a golden crust, made from tapioca starch, cornstarch, cheese, egg and milk. It is one of the most beloved baked snacks in Colombia, eaten warm at breakfast or with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

This version keeps things simple for a US kitchen. Instead of the traditional queso costeño and queso campesino, it uses feta and mozzarella, which come close in texture and flavor, plus a little added salt to mimic that salty Colombian cheese tang.

Everything comes together in about 20 minutes, and the dough is easy enough to mix by hand or in a stand mixer. You will end up with 10 small rolls, each roughly 50 g and about 4 cm across, ready to serve slightly warm.

The rest of the ingredients are easy to find in any supermarket, with one possible exception: tapioca starch, also sold as yuca starch or mandioca starch. Look for it in large stores, the international aisle of some supermarkets, or health food shops.

Ingredients for Pandebono

This makes 10 rolls.

• 100 g queso campesino or mozzarella
• 100 g queso costeño or feta cheese
• 40 g cornstarch
• 125 g yuca starch or tapioca starch
• 20 g sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 10 g baking powder
• 20 g butter at room temperature
• 1 medium egg
• 50 ml whole milk

How to Make Pandebono Step by Step

1. Grate the cheeses

First, grate or crumble the cheeses. If you could not find the typical Colombian cheeses, queso campesino and queso costeño, use 100 g of mozzarella and 100 g of feta instead.

2. Mix the dry ingredients with the cheese

In a wide bowl, combine 40 g of cornstarch, 125 g of tapioca starch, 20 g of sugar, ½ teaspoon of salt, 10 g of baking powder and the grated cheeses.

3. Add the butter and egg

Next, add 20 g of butter at room temperature and 1 medium egg.

4. Pour in the milk gradually

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Pour in 50 ml of whole milk little by little and mix well until you have a homogeneous dough.

5. Shape the dough balls

Shape 10 balls of dough, about 50 g each and roughly 4 cm in diameter. Place them slightly flattened and spaced apart on a baking tray.

6. Bake and serve

Bake the pandebonos for 15 minutes, until the dough puffs up and the rolls are cooked through and golden. Let them cool slightly and they are ready to serve.

Tips for the Best Pandebono

Get the cheese right

The cheese is what defines pandebono. Traditional Colombian queso costeño and queso campesino are hard to find abroad, so feta and mozzarella are the closest stand-ins in texture and flavor. The added salt helps recreate the salty edge that queso costeño brings.

Work the dough until elastic

You can make the dough in a stand mixer or by hand, whichever you prefer. What matters is that the dough becomes elastic before baking so the rolls do not crack. Add the milk gradually until you reach the right texture.

Serve them warm

These rolls have a characteristic cheese flavor and are delicious on their own or alongside a good Colombian coffee. Let them cool just enough to handle, then serve them while still warm for the best texture.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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