Almojábanas: Soft Colombian Cheese Bread Rolls, Gluten-Free (63) 2026

Almojábanas are tender little cheese rolls from Colombia, made with precooked cornmeal and fresh cheese. They have a soft, slightly sweet crumb and a golden crust, and they are one of the most beloved baked snacks in Latin American baking.

This version comes together in about 50 minutes and uses simple ingredients: cornmeal, a little sugar, baking powder, salt, fresh cheese or ricotta, grated mozzarella and whole milk. The cheese melts into the dough and gives every bite a rich, savory flavor.

They are perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning snack and are traditionally eaten warm with coffee, where the sweet-salty contrast is irresistible. Serve them hot, straight from the oven, for the best texture.

Ingredients for Almojábanas

Makes 12 rolls

• 150 g precooked cornmeal
• 20 g white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (Royal type)
• Half a teaspoon salt
• 300 g ricotta or fresh cheese
• 100 g grated mozzarella cheese
• 60 g whole milk

How to Make Almojábanas Step by Step

1. Combine the ingredients

Place 150 grams of precooked cornmeal, 20 grams of white sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, half a teaspoon of salt, 300 grams of ricotta or fresh cheese, 100 grams of grated mozzarella and 60 grams of whole milk in a bowl.

2. Mix and knead

Mix all the ingredients very well until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough. If you use a firmer fresh cheese, chop it finely first so it blends evenly into the mixture.

3. Shape the rolls

Roll the dough into balls until you have 12 pieces of about 50-55 grams each. Keep them roughly the same size so they bake evenly.

4. Bake

Preheat the oven to 180 °C with top and bottom heat. Place the almojábanas on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden.

5. Let them cool slightly

Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. They are best enjoyed warm, when the cheese is still soft and the crust is at its best.

6. Serve

Serve the almojábanas warm, ideally with a cup of coffee. Their sweet-salty flavor makes them a perfect breakfast or mid-morning treat.

Tips for the Best Almojábanas

Choose the right cheese

You can make these with any fresh cheese you like or with ricotta, which blends very well into the dough. For firmer fresh cheeses, such as Burgos-style cheese, chop them very finely so they integrate evenly.

Serve them warm

These rolls are perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning snack and are usually eaten with coffee, creating an irresistible sweet-salty contrast. They are at their best served warm, as that is when they are most enjoyable.

Keep the size even

Rolling the dough into 12 balls of about 50-55 grams each helps them bake evenly and gives you a consistent batch. Line the tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easy.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known 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.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are 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 cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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