---
title: "Chilean Arrollados de Jamón y Queso — Homemade Ham and Cheese Rolls"
description: "Versión en Español Arrollados de jamón y queso are a dish from Chinese-Chilean cooking, eaten as a starter or a side. The recipe involves filling squares of flour-and-egg dough with a chopped ham and..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-arrollados-jamon-queso-ham-cheese-rolls-recipe/
date: 2026-09-15
modified: 2026-09-15
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-arrollados-jamon-queso-ham-cheese-rolls.jpg
categories: ["Appetizers"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Chilean Arrollados de Jamón y Queso — Homemade Ham and Cheese Rolls

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-arrollado-jamon-queso/)

![Fried Chilean arrollados de jamon y queso, served on a plate.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-arrollados-jamon-queso-ham-cheese-rolls.jpg)*Ham and cheese arrollados*

Arrollados de jamón y queso are a dish from Chinese-Chilean cooking, eaten as a starter or a side. The recipe involves filling squares of flour-and-egg dough with a chopped ham and cheese mix, sealing the edges before frying. The dough needs a rest in the fridge, which gives it the elasticity needed to hold the filling during frying. Served hot, they’re paired with soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce. Arrollados de jamón y queso are a classic of Chilean-style “comida china,” crispy and flavorful, with a creamy ham and cheese filling.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of ham and cheese arrollados contains approximately 450 kcal, 30 g of carbohydrates, 28 g of fat, 18 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars, 85 mg of cholesterol, and 800 mg of sodium. (*)

(*) Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## How to Make Ham and Cheese Arrollados?

The secret to a good ham and cheese arrollado is achieving a very thin dough that’s still firm enough to hold the filling and withstand frying; good ham and good cheese do the rest.

**Prep time:** 2 hours

**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Servings:** 4 people

### Ingredients

- 200 g (7 oz) Gouda cheese
- 200 g (7 oz) cooked ham
- 120 g (4.2 oz) flour
- 1 egg
- Oil for frying
- Fine salt

### Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add the flour and make a well in the center; add the beaten egg, a tablespoon of warm water, and mix with your hands until you get a smooth, soft dough. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic film, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

![Close-up of wheat flour, the basic ingredient for the arrollados dough.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wheat-flour-arrollados.jpg)*Wheat flour*

1. On a cutting board, chop the cheese and ham into small pieces. Set aside separately. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out on a smooth surface until you get a very thin sheet, then use a sharp knife to cut 10 x 10 centimeter squares.

![Sliced cooked ham, one of the key fillings for the oriental-style rolls.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/sliced-ham-arrollados.jpg)*Sliced ham*

1. On each square of dough, add a teaspoon of ham and cheese, roll the dough carefully, and shape the arrollados, folding the edges inward to seal them so the filling doesn’t leak out.

![Hot oil bubbling in a pan, ideal for frying the homemade arrollados.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hot-frying-oil-arrollados.jpg)*Frying oil*

1. In a deep pot or pan, heat enough oil to about 140°C (284°F), submerge the arrollados without overcrowding, and fry for about 2 minutes, until golden; remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately, with soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce.

## Additional Expert Tips

### Choose the right cheese

Go for a cheese that melts well with low moisture, like aged queso mantecoso or pizza-style mozzarella, avoiding overly moist cheeses, which can tear the dough or cause bubbling while frying.

### Freeze before frying for a crispier seal

For a well-sealed, crispy arrollado, freeze them for 15 minutes before frying to slightly firm up the dough, allowing for even cooking and preventing the cheese from leaking out too soon.

![Thin sheet of arrollados dough, ready to be cut into squares.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/arrollados-dough-sheet.jpg)*Arrollados dough*

### Keep them crispy after frying

Place them on a wire rack instead of paper towels if you’ll be serving them later, since this lets air circulate underneath and keeps the dough from getting soggy.

| Substitution | Use instead of | Effect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Queso mantecoso or mozzarella | Gouda cheese | Better melt, less moisture |
| Turkey ham | Cooked ham | Leaner filling |
| Sweet chili sauce | Soy sauce | Sweeter dipping option |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. How do you keep arrollados crispy after frying?

Place them on a wire rack instead of paper towels if you’ll serve them later, since this lets air circulate underneath so the dough doesn’t get soggy.

### 2. What if the cheese leaks out while frying?

This can happen if the cheese is too moist or the dough wasn’t sealed properly, so freeze them for 15 minutes to firm up the texture and reinforce the seal.

### 3. What’s the best way to seal them so they don’t open?

Seal the edges with a flour-and-water paste, folding the corners inward like an envelope, and make sure to press the edges firmly.

### 4. Do I need to measure the oil temperature?

It’s recommended, but if you don’t have a thermometer, one way to check if the oil is ready is to drop in a small piece of dough to confirm it bubbles immediately and rises to the surface within a few seconds, indicating it’s ready.

## What Are Arrollados de Jamón y Queso?

Arrollados de jamón y queso are a dish from Chinese-Chilean cooking, eaten as a starter or a side, made by filling squares of flour-and-egg dough with a chopped ham and cheese mixture and sealing the edges before frying.

## History of Arrollados de Jamón y Queso in Chile

The presence of ham and cheese arrollados in Chile is part of the adaptation of Cantonese cuisine by the first Chinese immigrants who settled in the country during the 20th century. Local restaurants modified the traditional spring roll recipe, originally filled with bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables, to match the consumption habits and ingredient availability of the Chilean market.

## Did You Know?

Rolled dumplings like these trace back to ancient China, during the Tang Dynasty, a time when they were made to celebrate the Spring Festival, prepared with different flours and fillings of fruits and vegetables.

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- [Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-sweet-and-sour-sauce-for-sushi/)
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