Cachitos, Classic Venezuelan Ham Rolls

Cachitos are a popular savory food in Venezuela, best served alongside a coffee for breakfast or lunch. 

Cachitos are ham-filled crescent rolls brought to Venezuela by Portuguese immigrants. They sometimes contain cheese or bacon and are known for their soft bread and smoky taste. Since their invention in the late 19th century, they have become a staple for Portuguese-Venezuelan bakeries.

 Read on to learn more about the cachito, including its history and instructions for how to make this popular Venezuelan food. 

What Are Cachitos?

Cachitos, sometimes called cachitos de jamón, are small crescent rolls filled with ham and a classic Venezuelan breakfast treat often served with coffee.

The bread is soft, yeasted, and sweet, and the ham inside is smoky and sometimes mixed with bacon.

The name means “little horns,” or “little ham horns.”

Cachitos are sometimes but not always made with cheese inside, in addition to ham.

Popular choices are edam, mild cheddar, and softened cream cheese. 

These are easy to find in Venezuelan bakeries but difficult to find elsewhere in the world.

Thankfully, they can be made at home, although the project takes an investment of about three hours. 

History of the Cachito

Cachitos were originally created by Portuguese immigrants in Venezuela around the end of the 19th century.

During this time, many immigrants traveled to Latin America from Portugal, Spain, and Italy, bringing elements of their culture and taking on parts of Venezuelan culture.

Portuguese immigrants were known for their famous bakeries in Venezuela and combined many of their own cuisines with Venezuelan foods to create unique new delicacies, including the cachito. 

How To Make Cachitos

Depending on how much time you have, cachitos can be made with an elaborate and authentic process.

Or quickly and easily with an approximation of the original Venezuelan dish.

Either is a delicious and satisfying option. 

Cachito dough can also be frozen, so you can make a large batch of dough and easily bake small, fresh batches of cachitos whenever you like.

To freeze your cachitos dough, just add a couple of drops of oil inside a plastic bag, and then place the dough inside.

When you thaw the dough, set it in a bowl and allow it to rest, as it will grow again.

Classic Cachitos Recipe

Here are the cachitos ingredients that you will need:

• 1 tbsp fast-action dried yeast
• ½ c sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ c melted butter
• ¾ c milk
• 4 ½ – 5 c all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 28 oz. (793.79 g) thin, finely chopped ham (with added water)
• 2 tbsp molasses or muscovado sugar

Cachitos Preparation

1. Combine ¼ cup warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar, then sprinkle in yeast to activate. Let rest for 10-15 minutes, or until foam appears. 
2. In a large bowl, beat two eggs. 
3. Add milk, the remaining sugar, salt, and cooled, melted butter to the blended eggs.
4. Mix in the yeasted water.
5. Add flour one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly.
6. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, adding small amounts of flour if necessary. If the dough becomes too dry, add a small amount of milk.
7. Place the dough in a large, clean bowl and cover with a moist towel. 
8. Let the dough rest in an oven (turned off) for 1 ½ – 2 hours. 
9. Once the dough has doubled in size, remove it and punch the dough’s air until it shrinks to its original size.
10. Form the dough into a flat disc and divide it into four equal portions.
11. Use a rolling pin to form each disc into a flat circle about 10-12 inches (25.4-30.48 cm) in diameter. 
12. Divide each circle of dough into 8 portions like a pizza. 
13. Place a handful of ham at the wide end of each triangle, then roll to form a crescent shape. 
14. Place rolls on a baking sheet and brushes with a mixture of 2 tablespoons molasses and 1 beaten egg. Save the rest of the mixture for later.
15. Allow the cachitos to rest for an hour in a warm place.
16. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176.67°C).
17. Brush the cachitos again with the egg and molasses mixture.
18. Place the cachitos in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Quick and Easy Cachitos Recipe

For quick and easy cachitos, replace the homemade dough with premade crescent roll dough.

Making the rolls this way will cut the cooking time down to twenty minutes: 

• 1 12oz (340.19g) can Pillsbury Grands! Big & Flaky refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 2 cups ham, minced
• 1 tbsp melted butter

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176.67°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
3. Open the crescent roll can and separate the dough.
4. Place 1-2 tbsp cut ham on the wide end of each dough triangle, then fold the corners over the ham.
5. Roll the dough from the widest part to the tip of each dough triangle.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls appear golden brown. 
7. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter.

What to Serve with Cachitos

Cachitos are rich, buttery, and slightly sweet—thanks to their soft bread and savory ham filling—so they pair best with sides and drinks that balance or complement those flavors.

Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or a light snack, here are some delicious options to round out the experience:

🥤 Classic Venezuelan Drinks

• Café con leche – The go-to pairing. The creamy coffee cuts through the richness of the cachito perfectly.
• Fresh fruit juices – Try orange, papaya, or passion fruit juice for a refreshing contrast.
• Batidos (fruit smoothies) – Guava, mango, or strawberry batidos add a sweet, tropical touch.

🧀 Light & Savory Sides

• Queso fresco or queso blanco – Mild, salty cheeses complement the ham and add extra creaminess.
• Scrambled eggs or omelets – A simple protein addition that turns cachitos into a fuller breakfast.
• Avocado slices – Fresh and buttery, avocado balances the saltiness of the ham.

🥐 Sweet Additions

• Fresh fruit – Pineapple, melon, or berries brighten up the plate.
• Pastries or baked goods – Serve alongside other Venezuelan favorites like golfeados for a bakery-style spread.
• Jam or honey – A touch of sweetness can enhance the slightly sweet dough of the cachito.

🥗 For a Brunch Spread

• Simple green salad – A light vinaigrette helps cut through the richness.
• Yogurt parfaits – Creamy, tangy yogurt with granola and fruit adds balance and texture.

These pairings help create a well-rounded meal, whether you’re enjoying cachitos with your morning coffee or serving them as part of a larger Latin-inspired brunch.

Final Cachitos Thoughts

Cachitos Venezolanos are delicious crescent rolls filled with ham and sometimes cheese, made by Portuguese-Venezuelan bakers ever since the late 19th century.

The traditional Venezuelan breakfast food can be made at home easily and quickly or made from scratch for a more authentic flavor. 

Cachitos are delicious for breakfast or a perfect snack option throughout the day.

If you like Cachitos you’ll probably love, Tequeños, Venezuelan Cheese Sticks.

And even better yet, Pan de Jamon, Venezuela’s Christmas Ham Dish.

 

Sources

• The Cookware Geek: Venezuelan Cachitos
• Que Rica Vida: Easy Venezuelan Ham Cachitos
• Gastrocrónicas: Cachitos
• Cachitos: The Mystery behind the Cachitos  
• Definitions: Cachitos 

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