Panchuque / Panchuker
Sausage covered with a waffle-like batter and deep-fried on a stick, often with cheese and various sauces; a popular street snack.
The Panchuque (also spelled Panchuker) is an inventive Argentine street food variation on the classic hot dog, especially popular among kids and at school kiosks. It features a hot dog encased in a thick, savory waffle-like batter that’s cooked on a specialized grill or sandwich press, sealing it into a crispy, sealed shell. Think of it as a corn dog-meets-waffle hybrid. Some versions inject cheese into the batter or include melted cheese around the sausage, making it even more indulgent. It likely gained popularity in the late 20th century, especially in urban areas like Buenos Aires and Rosario. Though not widely known outside Argentina, it’s beloved for its playful presentation and satisfying crunch. It’s fast food fun, with a Latin twist.
Authentic Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Hot dogs (Argentine-style sausages)
- 4 Wooden sticks (For serving on a stick)
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ¾ cup Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 100g Cheese (Argentine cheese, cubed (optional))
- for frying Vegetable oil
- various Sauces (Ketchup, mayo, chimichurri for serving)
Instructions
- Insert wooden sticks into hot dogs.
- Make waffle batter: Mix flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
- Optional: Add small cheese cubes to batter.
- Heat waffle iron or specialized panchuque grill.
- Dip hot dog on stick into batter, coating completely.
- Place battered hot dog in waffle iron and close.
- Cook 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove carefully while hot.
- Serve immediately on stick with various sauces for dipping.
- Argentine street food innovation - crispy waffle meets hot dog!
Related Styles (kinda)
4 similar styles
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Hot dog with vinagrete, corn/peas (milho/ervilha), and crispy potato sticks (batata palha); typically offered with a broad sauce bar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.