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Gluten-Free Crispy Cheesy Flatbread (Pupusas)

Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread recipe using only a few basic ingredients. This step-by-step tutorial is fun for the whole family and results in perfectly crispy flatbread stuffed with molten cheddar cheese. This simple recipe is very similar to pupusas.

My original approach to this recipe was to create a spin on classic pupusas. Authentic pupusas includes white onion, mashed red beans (such as kidney beans) and queso Oaxaca.

If you love anything bread-like, crispy, and/or molten cheesy, chances are you will LOVE this crispy cheesy flatbread.

It is all-things crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and stuffed with molten cheddar cheese for the ultimate gooey adventure. This palate-pleasing flatbread is naturally gluten-free as it is made with masa harina (corn flour).

All you need is a few basic ingredients: masa harina, some form of cooking oil (I use avocado oil), some spices from the pantry (I use cumin and paprika), and some form of cheese (I use cheddar).

Making this gluten-free cheese flatbread at home may seem daunting, but I can assure you the process is easy! And fun!

This easy, step-by-step tutorial brings inspiration to prepare this gluten-free cheese flatbread at home.

Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread

How to Make Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread:

Add the dry ingredients (masa corn flour, ground cumin, paprika, and sea salt) to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.

Add the hot water and beat until a thick dough forms.

Use your hands to form the dough into a large ball and place back in the mixer bowl. Cover with a damp towel and allow dough to sit 15 to 20 minutes.

Divide the dough into 6 to 8 portions (depending upon the size of flatbread you’re aiming for). Roll each portion into a ball.

Gluten-free flatbread dough

Press the dough to form a well. It should look like a small bowl with thick sides. Fill the well with 2 to 3 tablespoons of grated cheese.

Press the cheese down into the well to compress it and make it easier to fold the dough over the top.

Using both hands, fold the corners of the dough over the cheese filling. Keep pressing together until you have a ball of dough and the cheese filling is entirely enclosed.

Press the dough into a disc, about 4 1/2 to 5 inches wide.

Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread

Place the discs onto a plate or cookie sheet, and repeat for remaining dough.

Gluten-Free Cheesy Flatbread

Heat 2 to 4 tablespoons of avocado oil or high-temperature cooking oil of choice (algae oil works great because it has a very high smoke point!)  in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Once the skillet is completely hot, carefully place two to three flatbreads on the hot surface. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, until golden-brown and crispy. Carefully flip, then cook another 2 to 3 minutes until flatbreads are cooked through and both sides are crispy.

How to make crispy gluten-free cheese flatbread in a skillet
Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread

Serve with choice of salsa, sauce, and/or bean dip!

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Change up the cheese: Use grated queso Oaxaca, crumbled queso fresco/cotija cheese. You can also go with jack cheese or mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar. You can also use multiple types of cheese!
  • Add Beans: Add 2 Tbsp mashed red beans or refried black beans to the center of the flatbread for a bean and cheese version.
  • Incorporate Meat: Use shredded chicken, pork, or beef for a meat lover’s flatbread.
  • While there is typically room to adapt most recipes, there isn’t much you can do in this situation other than changing up the filling. The bulk of the recipe is the masa flour, which should not be replaced with anything else.
Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread

What Type of Flour to Use:

In order to make this recipe, you need finely ground golden masa harina corn flour. You can find masa harina corn flour at most grocery stores. I like using Organic Masa Harina Corn Flour, which you can find online or at select natural food stores.

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

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Gluten-Free Cheese Flatbread

Cheese-stuffed crispy gluten-free flatbread
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Wait Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
6 large cheese flatbread

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the dry ingredients (masa corn flour, ground cumin, paprika, and sea salt) to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. Add the hot water and beat until a thick dough forms.
  • Use your hands to form the dough into a large ball and place back in the mixer bowl. Cover with a damp towel and allow dough to sit 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into 6 to 8 portions (depending upon the size of papusa you're aiming for). Roll each portion into a ball.
  • Press the dough to form a well. It should look like a small bowl with thick sides.
  • Fill the well with 2 to 3 tablespoons of grated cheese. Press the cheese down into the well to compress it and make it easier to fold the dough over the top.
  • Using both hands, fold the corners of the pupusa dough over the cheese filling. Keep pressing together until you have a ball of dough and the cheese filling is entirely enclosed.
  • Press the dough into a disc, about 4 1/2 to 5 inches in diameter. Place the discs onto a plate or cookie sheet, and repeat for remaining dough.
  • Heat 2 to 4 tablespoons of avocado oil or high-temperature cooking oil of choice (algae oil works great if you have it because it has a very high smoke point!)  in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Once the skillet is completely hot, carefully place two to three papusas on the hot surface. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, until golden-brown and crispy. Carefully flip, then cook another 2 to 3 minutes until papusas are cooked through and both sides are crispy.
  • Serve pupusas with choice of salsa, sauce, and/or bean dip!

Nutrition

Serving: 1flatbread - Calories: 297kcal - Carbohydrates: 32g - Protein: 10g - Fat: 15g - Fiber: 3g - Sugar: 1g
Course: Breads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese papusas, flatbread, gluten free, papusas
Servings: 6 large cheese flatbread
Calories: 297kcal
Author: Julia
Recipe Rating




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Sarah

Monday 29th of May 2023

Thank you for a great idea to add to my rotation of easy, delicious accompaniments for the Central America cuisine. Flavor and spice are big around our table.

Question can I use a keto flour to make these?

Julia

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

Hi Sarah! I haven't tested the recipe using keto flour. My guess is it will work just fine as long as you've had success with a similar recipe in the past. My only concern would be whether or not the flour would hold together when handling it. If you've made other dough-like recipes, it should work great ;) Hope this helps!

Jeannie

Saturday 11th of April 2020

I love Pupusas... and the Curtido that is served along with the red salsa... this recipe from Mexican Please looks close to what the Salvadorian restaurant here serves.

Ingredients

1/2 head green cabbage 1 carrot 1/2 onion 1/2 jalapeno 1 cup vinegar 1.5 cups water 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano freshly cracked black pepper 2 teaspoons salt (Kosher or sea salt)

Instructions

Thinly slice the 1/2 head of cabbage, 1/2 onion and 1/2 jalapeno. Grate the carrot. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl: 1 cup vinegar, 1.5 cups water, 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, freshly cracked black pepper, 2 teaspoons salt (Kosher or sea salt). Add the liquid mixture to the veggies and combine well. Crush the cabbage a bit so that it will fit into the jars. Fill two pint-sized Mason jars with the veggies and top with the brine. Seal well and let pickle overnight in the fridge.

Notes Kosher or pure sea salt are most commonly used for pickling. The additives in iodized salt will sometimes affect the brine so it isn’t recommended. Using a half jalapeno still creates some real heat even though it doesn't sound like much. You can always dial back and use less (or none) if you want a milder version. If you don't have Mexican oregano you can simply omit the oregano. A non-reactive container is best to house the vinegar brine, with glass being the preferred choice.

David

Thursday 9th of April 2020

Hi Julia, Thank you so much for sharing! I'm very sorry for the people who might get "offended" because is not the real deal. However, u made it clear this isn't the traditional dish. U know, I'm soooo so happy as a Salvadoran that you're posting this. So glad that u give your approach and your own version of this "cheesy flatbed" xD otherwise known as pupusas xD they look so good and look just like a pupusa de queso (cheese pupusa). How cool u even made the sauce. U know, even back home people tries making then with different nontraditional ingredients which come up great. sure this is something I'll try myself!

Julia

Friday 10th of April 2020

Hi David,

I could hug you right now! Thank you so much for the support! This was a big lesson for me in blogging...just when you think you've experienced it all, right?! I very much appreciate you taking the time to provide a level-headed perspective, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Much love to you, my friend! xoxox

Lauri

Thursday 9th of April 2020

Any chance the water measurements is too high? I’ve worked with mass before and it’s practically soupy...?

Julia

Thursday 9th of April 2020

Oh man..It should be 1 1/2 cups of water, not 2 1/2. If you've already started, you can add 1 more cup of masa harina, in which case you'll end up with a larger batch of flatbread. You may also need to add a couple tablespoons of water if it's too dry after adding the third cup. My apologies!! I hope they turn out amazing! xoxo

Lauri

Thursday 9th of April 2020

I ?appreciate your tact in your responses to all of the above! ?

Julia

Thursday 9th of April 2020

Thank you lady...I really appreciate that! :D I wasn't sure how to navigate the situation. I completely understand that if someone is just happening upon my site and doesn't know my character that misinformation could be offensive. Everyone who knows me knows I would never intentionally spread incorrect information and have zero bad intentions in sharing my content. Anyway, I hope my changes to the post have dissolved any frustration...it truly is a delicious recipe. Thanks so much for your support...that really helped calm my soul! xoxox

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