Crisp Cinnamon Buñuelos with Orange Sugar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-06-01

Thin, crispy Mexican-style fried dough rounds dusted with cinnamon sugar and brightened with a hint of orange zest. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• for frying vegetable oil, about 4 cups
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp orange zest, finely grated

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 3/4 cup whole milk and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter until smooth.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
4. Step 4: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 3 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Step 5: Cover the dough with a clean towel and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
6. Step 6: Meanwhile, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest in a shallow bowl.
7. Step 7: Heat about 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep, heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a candy thermometer.
8. Step 8: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a thin circle about 5 inches in diameter.
9. Step 9: Fry each dough circle in the hot oil for about 1-2 minutes per side, flipping when bubbles form and the edges turn golden brown.
10. Step 10: Using tongs, transfer the fried buñuelos to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
11. Step 11: While still warm, immediately toss each buñuelo in the cinnamon-orange sugar mixture to coat evenly.
12. Step 12: Serve warm or at room temperature as a festive sweet treat.