Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar
Light and crispy fried dough discs dusted with cinnamon sugar, perfect for a festive Mexican dessert. This mexican-inspired desserts ready in about 40 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 180 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
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup for dusting extra granulated sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and 2/3 cup whole milk to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Step 3: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes until smooth. Cover with a clean towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Divide dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a thin circle about 6-7 inches in diameter.
- Step 5: In a deep heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 350°F.
- Step 6: Carefully fry each dough circle, one or two at a time, for about 1-2 minutes per side until golden and puffed. Use tongs to flip and remove, draining on paper towels.
- Step 7: Combine 1 tbsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. While still warm, dredge each buñuelo in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.
- Step 8: Serve immediately for best crispness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Traditional Mexican Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar?
Mexican desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
