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Gooey Homemade Masa Cheese Pupusas

Delicious and customizable masa cheese pupusas that are easy to make at home, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings: 12 pupusas
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Salvadoran
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough ingredients
  • 2 cups masa harina Essential for authentic texture
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules Adds depth and richness
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt Balances flavors
  • 1.5 to 2 cups hot water Helps form the dough
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Softened for dough richness
Filling ingredients
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Use mozzarella or queso fresco
  • 1 cup refried beans Optional filling
Cooking ingredients
  • vegetable oil For greasing the griddle

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine masa harina, chicken bouillon, and salt in a large bowl.
  2. Gradually pour in hot water, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.
  3. Add softened butter to the masa dough and knead until smooth and uniformly blended.
  4. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions, rolling each into a ball. Cover with a damp cloth.
  5. Flatten each dough ball into a disc about 1 cm thick and place a spoonful of cheese and beans in the center.
  6. Fold the edges inward to enclose the filling, then shape into a 7–8 cm disk.
Cooking
  1. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and brush with a thin layer of vegetable oil.
  2. Cook pupusas for 3 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp.

Notes

Serve these tasty pupusas hot off the griddle with salsa or curtido. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for up to a month. Ensure the water is hot but not boiling, and adjust water as needed for dough consistency. Experiment with different cheese types or fillings for variety.