Description
Mexican Buñuelos are crisp, golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar — a beloved traditional Hispanic dessert that symbolizes celebration and family joy. These thin, crunchy fritters are easy to make, full of comforting flavor, and perfect for holidays, fiestas, or cozy weekend treats. Serve warm with coffee or hot chocolate for a true taste of Mexican tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup warm water or milk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
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- For the topping:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Optional syrup (miel de piloncillo):
- 1 cone piloncillo (or 3/4 cup brown sugar)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Mix in melted butter, vanilla, and warm water (a little at a time) until a soft dough forms.
- Rest the dough: Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Shape the buñuelos: Divide dough into small balls and roll each out on a floured surface into thin, round discs.
- Fry the buñuelos: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each disc one at a time for 30–45 seconds per side, until golden and crisp.
- Drain and coat: Remove and drain on paper towels. While still warm, sprinkle or dip in cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Optional syrup: Simmer piloncillo, water, cinnamon stick, and vanilla until slightly thickened. Drizzle over buñuelos before serving.
Notes
- Roll the dough thin for extra crispy buñuelos.
- Keep oil at 350°F (175°C) for even frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan — fry one or two at a time.
- Drain well before coating with sugar to avoid sogginess.
- Reheat in the oven to restore crispness; avoid microwaving.
- For a shortcut, fry flour tortillas and coat with cinnamon sugar for instant buñuelos.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Mexican, Holiday Recipes
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 buñuelo
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Mexican Buñuelos, Buñuelos Recipe, Traditional Mexican Desserts, Cinnamon Sugar Fritters, Mexican Sweets, Holiday Buñuelos, Cinnamon Crisps From Tortillas