Mexican Doughnuts (Buñuelos) are perfect little bites of goodness! A doughnut like ball lightly coated in cinnamon sugar. Yum! These are made using baking powder instead of yeast which make them quick to make. Then they are rolled in cinnamon sugar for the perfect little treat.
What Are Mexican Doughnuts (Buñuelos)
Mexican Doughnuts or Buñuelos are a fried dough ball and they are often found in Mexico, Spain and other parts of Latin America. Here is Spain they are always served at local fairs, Christmas stands and just about every event going. If you have never had a buñuelo, they are pretty much like doughnut holes. The cake kind not the yeast kind. Great to go with a cup of coffee
Ingredients
- Dry ingredients – This recipe uses all purpose flour, baking powder and salt
- Sugar – I used granulated white sugar
- Dairy and eggs – I used whole milk, eggs and melted butter
- Flavours – Ground cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating
- For frying – I used vegetable oil for frying these buñuelos
FULL RECIPE and ingredients is always found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Instructions
- Whisk together wet ingredients – In a small bowl whisk together the milk, egg and butter. Set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients – In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Finish the batter – Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until you have a soft and sticky dough. This will take about 2 minutes.
- Form into small balls – Lightly flour a large clean surface. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a small amount of batter and shape into a ball. Place on the lightly floured surface and then gently flatten with the palm of your hand or a spoon. Repeat for all the batter.
- Fry the dough balls – Place a large deep sided skillet over medium high heat and add about 2 inches of oil to the pan. Add as many dough balls as you can to the pan while there is still room to move them around. They should sizzle as soon as you put them in the oil. Using a spoon, gently spoon oil over the top of all the buñuelos. After they have risen, about a couple of minutes, flip them all over and continue cooking until golden all over. Remove from pan and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat for all buñuelos.
- Coat with sugar coating – In a bowl, combine the sugar and the cinnamon. Mix well. Roll the buñuelos in the cinnamon sugar mix while they are still hot. Ready to enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- Rolling the dough balls – This dough might start out sticky. So, I recommend flouring your hands, so the dough doesn’t
- Type of oil for frying – I recommend using a vegetable oil to fry the doughnuts. I used sun flour oil, but you could use canola oil
- Test the oil – I like to test the oil with one dough ball before putting them all in. The dough should sizzle slightly with bubbles around it. You know the oil is ready for frying at this stage.
- Pay attention as they fry – They rise quite quickly when you put them in the pan and you have to pay close attention that you don’t burn them. Spooning the oil over the top is important while cooking as it helps them rise better.
- Coat them as soon they come out of the oil – the cinnamon sugar will stick easier if they are piping hot and freshly fried.
- Allow them to soften after frying – When they come out of the pan, they may feel quite hard. Don’t worry as they soften in just a few minutes after leaving them to rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Buñuelos and Churros the same thing?
Although the batter is similar and they are both fried, they are not the same. Bunuelos or Mexican Dougnuts are like small doughnut holes. Whereas, Churros are like a long fried stick. Churros are often served with a thick chocolate dipping sauce.
What else can you serve with Mexican donuts?
These are great plain, with the cinnamon sugar coating, served with a chocolate dipping sauce, Caramel Sauce, Nutella, Dulce de Leche and so much more.
Mexican Doughnuts (Buñuelos)
Mexican Doughnuts (Buñuelos) are perfect little bites of goodness! A doughnut like ball lightly coated in cinnamon sugar. Yum! These are made using baking powder instead of yeast which make them quick to make. Then they are rolled in cinnamon sugar for the perfect little treat.
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 93kcal
Ingredients
- 2 Cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 Cup granulated white sugar
- 1 Teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Cup milk
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tablespoons butter melted
- vegetable oil for frying
- Extra four for dusting you hands and working surface
For the coating:
- 1/2 Cup granulated white sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together the milk, egg and butter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until you have a soft and sticky dough. This will take about 2 minutes.
- Lightly flour a large clean surface. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a small amount of batter and shape into a ball. Place on the lightly floured surface and then gently flatten with the palm of your hand or a spoon. Repeat for all the batter.
- Place a large deep sided skillet over medium high heat and add about 2 inches of oil to the pan. Add as many dough balls as you can to the pan while there is still room to move them around. They should sizzle as soon as you put them in the oil. Using a spoon, gently spoon oil over the top of all the buñuelos. After they have risen, about a couple of minutes, flip them all over and continue cooking until golden all over. Remove from pan and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat for all buñuelos.
- In a bowl, combine the sugar and the cinnamon. Mix well. Roll the buñuelos in the cinnamon sugar mix while they are still hot. Ready to enjoy.
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Nutrition Facts
Mexican Doughnuts (Buñuelos)
Amount Per Serving (1 buñuelo)
Calories 93
Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 12mg4%
Sodium 94mg4%
Potassium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 59IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Loved these doughnuts (TRADITIONAL MEXICAN BUÑUELOS) Julia. I’m trying to make a larger amount at a time. I tried multiplying all the ingredients by 4. (all ingredients x 4 as recipe shown above) However the dough mixture came out a little more sticky as it should with the original recipe. What do you suggest that I reduce or subtract so that they come out as your original recipe?
Hi Zack, the best thing to do if increasing the recipe and the dough is still sticky, is to add a little more flour. Just add enough so it’s not too sticky. Hope this helps.
Looks delicious! Is there a way to air fry these?
Hi Megan, I’ve not tried these in an air fryer. I think they should work, but can’t be 100% certain . I hope this helps!