Bunuelos Recipe

Often served during the Christmas and New Years holidays, this Mexican Bunuelos recipe makes the perfect fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar!

Bunuelos are one of my favorite treats that my family makes during the Christmas and New Years holiday. What’s not to love about fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar, am I right?

For the holidays, we always have a big stack of bunuelos, tamales, empanadas, and posole, as well as a pot full of Mexican Christmas Ponche, Atole, Champurrado, or Mexican Hot Chocolate. We go all out for Christmas and New Years and it’s so so good!

As a little kid, I remember my mom standing at the stove top frying bunuelos and placing them on a large plate covered in paper towels to help catch any excess frying oil. She’d cover them with cinnamon sugar, move them to a serving platter and continue frying more. I would always sneak up behind her and grab a freshly fried bunuelo to snack on while she finished making them.

Okay, okay. Who am I kidding. I still do that! I’ve never been good at waiting until they’re all fried to have a taste. I can’t help it!

Bunuelos are a dessert made from fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar. They’re usually flattened into disks and served around Christmas and New Years in many Mexican households.

My family always made them exactly as shown in this recipe, but there are tons of variations throughout Mexico and Latin America.

For more Mexican Christmas recipes, take a look at 12 Mexican Christmas Food Recipes to Make This Year!

Mexican Bunuelos

Often served during the Christmas and New Years holidays, this Mexican Bunuelos recipe makes the perfect fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar!

Prep: 45min

Total: 55min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 bunuelo with cinnamon sugar topping

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 bunuelo with cinnamon sugar topping, calories 240 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Sodium 158 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 10 g, unSaturated Fat 8 g

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 4 tablespoons oil, (plus 2 or more cups for frying)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instruction:

1. Heat the frying oil to 350°F. Fry each dough circle for about 60 seconds, turning once, until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to prepared plate to drain any excess oil. Sprinkle heavily with cinnamon sugar topping.
2. Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.

Mexican Buñuelos

Mexican Buñuelos – This is the basic and simple way to make a treat that I am sure many Mexicans living abroad remember their grandmothers, aunts or mothers prepare this time of the year.

Prep: 15min

Total: 40min

Serving Size: 1 Buñuelo

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 Buñuelo, calories 105 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 111 mg, Sugar 1 g

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 1 large piloncillo stick ((about 12 oz.))
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 6 guayabas chopped (or cut in quarters(guavas))
• 1/3 teaspoon anise seed
• 1/4 of an orange peel
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of butter (melted and already cool)
• About 3/4 cup of warm water *
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence **
• About 2 cups of vegetable oil to fry the Buñuelos
• Sugar to sprinkle

Instruction:

1. Serve warm or at room temperature.
2. Fry the buñuelos in very hot oil until they are golden and crispy. This step will take a few seconds. Place the buñuelos on a plate covered with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Serve warm or at room temperature and sprinkle with sugar. If you do not sprinkle the sugar right away they can still be nice and crispy for another day and just add the sugar at serving time. If you prefer to serve them warm, place them in your oven in a low setting for 5 minutes. Now, we need some hot chocolate to go along with the buñuelos.

Buñuelos (An Authentic Mexican Recipe)

Mexican Buñuelos are made of thin fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Serve with a cup of warm syrup for dipping for a fun treat the entire family will enjoy!

Prep: 60min

Total: 80min

Serving Size: 1

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1, calories 233 kcal, Carbohydrate 45 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Sodium 207 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 14 g

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup warm water
• 2 tablespoon avocado oil (or vegetable oil)
• ½ cup all purpose flour ((for rolling out dough))
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups warm water
• 1 piloncillo cone (dark brown)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 clove
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instruction:

1. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘In the bowl of a stand mixer, with a dough hook attachment, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix together.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Mix Dry Ingredients’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-0’}
2. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Pour the oil into the warm water, then pour this into the dry ingredients.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Add Oil’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-1’}
3. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Mix together with the dough hook for 3-4 minutes until the dough has formed into a ball.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Form Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-2’}
4. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Prepare a clean work surface, sprinkle with a small amount of flour, remove the dough from the bowl, and place in the flour. Continue to knead the dough for 1-2 minutes until dough is soft and no longer sticky. Add flour as needed in small amounts to achieve this.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Knead Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-3’}
5. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Cover the dough and let sit 30 mins. (I always just place a small bowl over the dough while it’s on the counter.)’, ‘name’: ‘Rest Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-4’}
6. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Divide dough into smaller portions about 40-45 grams each, then pinch and roll the dough into small ball shapes. This will make about 13 dough balls. Cover with a clean towel, let sit for 20 minutes.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Divide Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-5’}
7. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Preheat oil to 350-375℉ while dough is resting.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Heat Oil’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-6’}
8. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Prepare the Piloncillo Syrup (instructions below).’, ‘name’: ‘Prepare Syrup’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-7’}
9. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Pour the extra 1/2 cup of flour for rolling dough into a small bowl and set aside.’, ‘name’: ‘Prepare flour for rolling’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-8’}
10. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Prepare Cinnamon Sugar by combining the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.’, ‘name’: ‘Prepare Cinnamon Sugar’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-9’}
11. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘After letting the dough rest, working one dough ball at a time, dip the dough into the flour, coating all over. Using your fingers, flatten the dough ball out and gently press the dough out into a circle shape. Then roll into a 6 inch circle using a rolling pin. It should be fairly thin, this will help it fry easier without puffing up.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Flour and Roll Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-10’}
12. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Place one dough circle into the oil, and gently press down into the oil using a metal spatula, or tongs, to help prevent large bubbles from forming in the bunuelos. Small bubbles are expected, but don’t allow the entire top to bubble up in one bubble. Continue frying for about 1-2 minutes, once the bottom is crisp and golden, flip and continue to fry the other side. Will be crisp and golden when done.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Fry Dough’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-11’}
13. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Remove the Bunuelos from the oil, place on a large baking sheet lined with a wire cooling rack. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while still hot. Be careful not to burn your fingers flipping it over to get both sides.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-12’}
14. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Serve warm with a cup of piloncillo syrup on the side for dipping. OR you can pour the piloncillo syrup over the top.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Serve’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-0-13’}
15. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Piloncillo Syrup’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘In a small saucepan add the 3 cups of water, piloncillo cone, vanilla, cinnamon stick, and clove.xa0’, ‘name’: ‘Heat Syrup’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-1-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to help break up the piloncillo cone.’, ‘name’: ‘Boil’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-1-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Turn heat to low and let simmer while frying the bunuelos.’, ‘name’: ‘Simmer’, ‘url’: ‘https://houseofyumm.com/bunuelos/#wprm-recipe-17045-step-1-2’}]}

Bunuelos

A Latin American holiday staple, Buñuelos are a donut-like dessert covered in cinnamon sugar! They’re light and airy with a golden, crispy shell. The whole family is going to love them!

Prep: 35min

Total: 40min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 284 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 624 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, unSaturated Fat 2 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon butter (softened)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup warm water
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• Cinnamon sugar (for garnish)

Instruction:

1. In a large bowl whisk together your flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
2. Add in your egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until it resembles a coarse meal. Add your water in 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing and kneading until your dough is soft and completely smooth, this should take 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with saran wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Prepare a flat surface with a rolling pin, a plate with paper towels, flour for dusting, bench scraper or knife. On the stove in a large frying pan, heat your vegetable oil to 350℉ (over medium high heat). Your oil should only be about 1- 1.5” deep so the amount of oil you use will vary depending on the size of pan you’re using.
4. Once the dough has rested, put it onto your work surface and cut into 12 equal balls. Flour your working surface and begin rolling out each ball into a thin circle. You want your bunuelo to be as thin as possible without tearing it. The dough should be almost transparent.
5. Once all your bunuelos are all rolled out and ready, you can fry them in the hot oil until they are golden and crispy, this should take about 60 seconds, and they should be flipped halfway through frying.
6. As you remove the bunuelos from the frying oil, once they are done cooking, place them on the paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess oil. When all the bunuelos are done, you can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar and enjoy!

The BEST TRADITIONAL BUÑUELOS, Super EASY, CRUNCHY and DELICIOUS | MEXICAN FRITTERS

FAQ

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