• Add the warm water and butter to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the milk.
  1 tablespoon salted butter, 2 cups warm water, ½ cup milk
  
• In a separate mixing bowl, combine the masarepa, and salt. Mix in the cotija cheese to the masarepa salt mixture (optional). Or add in ½ cup shredded mozzarella.
  2 cups masarepa, ½ teaspoon table salt
  
• Add the cheese and masarepa mixture to the mixing bowl with the water, butter, and milk. With clean hands, mix together until a dough is formed. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the starches absorb the water.
  ½ cup Cotija cheese
  
• Form balls of dough a little smaller than a baseball. Place them on a piece of parchment paper. Make a well in the center of each dough ball.
  
• Add about ⅛ cup of cheese to each well. Pinch the dough together to close the dough ball so the cheese is hidden inside. With the palm of your hand, flatten down to make a ½ inch patty. Wet hands periodically to prevent the dough from sticking.
  2 cups mozzarella cheese
  
• Heat the griddle, or fry pan, on medium heat. Brush each side of the patty with olive oil. Place each patty on the heated griddle and let cook for 5-7 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip over and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. Each side should be golden brown and crispy looking.
  3 tablespoons olive oil
  
• Serve hot with toppings like pulled pork, fried egg, salsa, pico de gallo, more cheese, sour cream, or cabbage slaw. Or eat plain.
  

Air Fryer Instruction

• Preheat the air fryer to 350* F. Place the oiled patties in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes, flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.