Yaniqueques (Dominican Johnny Cakes)
Thin rounds of dough fried until puffy, crisp and golden, sprinkled with salt. The classic snack of Dominican beaches, eaten with a cold drink or alongside fried fish. Makes about 12.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Make the dough
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add the melted butter, then the warm water a little at a time, mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms. Knead on a clean surface for 3 minutes.
- 300 g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 30 g melted butter
- about 170 ml warm water
✅ Done when: dough is soft, smooth and holds together without cracking
Rest
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature; this relaxes it so it rolls out thin without tearing.
- all of it the dough from step 1
Roll out
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Fry
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Salt and serve
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Make the dough
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add the melted butter, then the warm water a little at a time, mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms. Knead on a clean surface for 3 minutes.
- 300 g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 30 g melted butter
- about 170 ml warm water
✅ Done when: dough is soft, smooth and holds together without cracking
Rest
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature; this relaxes it so it rolls out thin without tearing.
- all of it the dough from step 1
Roll out
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Fry
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Salt and serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Yaniqueques are the Dominican version of the 'johnny cake', a fried bread found across the English-speaking Caribbean. They're thought to have reached the Dominican Republic with workers from neighbouring islands, and the name is the Spanish pronunciation of 'johnny cake'.
Today they're sold by vendors on Dominican beaches like Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, often with fried fish.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Light, crunchy and salty, they're the taste of a day at the beach in the Dominican Republic.
💡 Fun Fact
Some vendors sell them with grated cheese, or with a sprinkle of sugar for a sweet version.
Dominican beaches (Boca Chica)
18.45°N, -69.61°W
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