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Mexican Bunuelos Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Mexican Bunuelos Recipe

Mexican Bunuelos are thin, crispy fried dough discs rolled from a simple flour dough and coated immediately after frying in a cinnamon sugar mixture. The dough is kneaded and rested, then shaped into circles that fry quickly to a golden-brown crisp. Pressing the dough while frying keeps them thin, and sprinkling cinnamon sugar while hot ensures it adheres well, offering a sweet, spiced finish ideal as a fried treat.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8 Bunuelos
Calories: 236 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Bunuelos:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup water warm
  • 4 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
  • 2 1/2 cups For Frying
Cinnamon sugar topping:
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Cinnamon sugar topping:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Bunuelos:
  1. Add all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and stir to combine.
  2. Add the warm water and the 4 tablespoons of oil, and mix with a wooden spoon or using the hook attachment on a mixer, until the dough comes together.
  3. Transfer the dough onto a clean flat surface and knead the dough for 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth.
  4. Roll it into a ball and place it back in the bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  5. Divide the dough into 8 separate small balls and roll each on a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin into an 8 to 10-inch circle.
  6. Arrange the dough circles onto a large kitchen towel in ONE single layer.
  7. Place a large and deep pan on the stove add the 2 1/2 cups of oil and heat the oil to 350°F.
  8. Fry each dough circle for about 1 minute, turning once, it should be nicely golden brown on both sides.
  9. Transfer to a cooling rack placed onto a baking sheet for the excess oil to drain.
  10. While still warm, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and serve.

Notes

  • Turn the discs at least once while frying to ensure even cooking on both sides.
  • Heat oil to 350°F before frying to avoid soggy bunuelos.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon sugar immediately after frying so it adheres well to the hot bunuelos.
  • Press the dough discs down during frying to keep them thin and prevent excessive puffing.
  • You can add sugar directly to the dough if a sweeter bunuelo is desired.
  • Omit cinnamon for a simple sweet treat or increase spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for a warmer flavor profile.

Nutrition Information

Calories 236kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Sodium 149mg (6%) Potassium 185mg (4%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 17g (34%) Vitamin A 67IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 103mg (10%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 Bunuelos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 236

% Daily Value*

Calories 236kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Sodium 149mg 6%
Potassium 185mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 17g 34%
Vitamin A 67IU 1%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 103mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.