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-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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, melted unsalted butter
• for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp, finely grated orange zest

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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.