
Bunuelos are a delightful deep-fried treat that seem to show up at all the right moments—think family gatherings, holidays, or that random Tuesday when comfort food just feels right. These crispy, golden pastries are a beloved tradition across Latin America, with each region adding its own twist. Whether they’re dusted with cinnamon sugar, drenched in syrup, or served plain, bunuelos bring an irresistible crunch and sweetness to any occasion.
Ever tried making bunuelos from scratch? It’s not just about following a recipe; it’s like inheriting a story. Growing up, I remember my grandmother expertly rolling out the dough, sharing stories about her own childhood—where bunuelos were a special treat saved for Christmas Eve. The smell of cinnamon and anise wafting through the kitchen was the best part of the holidays. Why not bring a little of that joy into your own kitchen?
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1. Crispy Cinnamon Dreams: Mexican Buñuelos Recipe

Image and Recipe by IsabelEats
Golden and crisp, these Mexican buñuelos are thin disks of dough fried to perfection and generously dusted with cinnamon sugar. Often enjoyed during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, they offer a delightful crunch with a sweet, aromatic finish.
Did you know that in Mexico, buñuelos are sometimes served with a syrup made from piloncillo, enhancing their rich flavor?
2. Golden Delights: How to Make Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by MexicoInMyKitchen
Light, airy, and irresistibly crisp, these sweet Mexican buñuelos are the perfect festive treat. Rolled out thin and fried until golden, they shatter with every bite, leaving behind a delicate coating of cinnamon sugar. Traditionally enjoyed during Christmas and other celebrations, they’re a delightful way to bring warmth to any gathering. Pair them with café de olla or hot chocolate for the ultimate indulgence.
Did you know that buñuelos date back to ancient Spain and have become a cherished dessert across Latin America?
3. Sweet and Crunchy: Your Guide to Perfect Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by MuyDelish
Imagine biting into a crisp, golden delight, its delicate layers dusted with sweet cinnamon sugar. These traditional Mexican buñuelos are thin, deep-fried discs that shatter pleasingly with each bite, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. Often enjoyed during festive seasons, they bring a nostalgic warmth to any gathering.
Did you know there are three types of buñuelos in Mexican cuisine? Buñuelos de Viento, de Queso, and de Rodilla, each with its unique preparation and history.
4. Holiday Treats Done Right: Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by CilantroParsley
The sizzle of dough hitting hot oil is your first clue that something magical is happening. These Mexican buñuelos transform simple ingredients—flour, eggs, milk, and a touch of sugar—into a golden, crispy indulgence. Finished with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, they’re a sweet reminder of festive gatherings and cozy family traditions.
Did you know that buñuelos date back to the Moors in Spain before becoming a beloved Mexican dessert?
5. Buñuelos Bliss: A Cinnamon Sugar Sensation

Image and Recipe by SweetAndSavoryMeals
There’s something magical about the sizzle of dough hitting hot oil, transforming into perfectly crisp and golden buñuelos. Once fried, they’re coated in cinnamon sugar, creating a sweet and aromatic treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. Light, crunchy, and utterly irresistible, they’re a celebration in every bite.
Did you know that buñuelos are traditionally enjoyed during Christmas and New Year celebrations in many Latin American countries?
6. Fried Perfection: Traditional Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by DelishDlites
Crunchy on the outside with a soft, pillowy interior, these Colombian buñuelos are delightful cheese-infused donuts offering a subtle hint of sweetness. Crafted from finely grated queso fresco and cassava flour, the dough is gently fried until golden brown, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Did you know that in Colombia, buñuelos are a traditional Christmas treat, often enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate?
7. A Taste of Mexico: Authentic Buñuelos Made Easy

Image and Recipe by BiggerBolderBaking
Delight in the sweet aroma of anise and vanilla as you prepare these traditional Mexican buñuelos. Crafted from a simple dough, each piece is fried to golden perfection and generously dusted with cinnamon sugar, offering a delightful treat for any occasion.
Did you know that buñuelos are enjoyed in various forms across Latin America, often symbolizing good luck during the holiday season?
8. Crisp, Sweet, and Irresistible: Buñuelos at Home

Image and Recipe by TheRecipeCritic
Buñuelos are delightful disc-shaped fritters, light and airy with a golden exterior, commonly enjoyed in Latin American countries like Mexico and Colombia. This traditional treat is especially popular around Christmas Time, bringing festive joy to many households. The preparation involves creating a simple dough from pantry staples such as flour, baking powder, sugar, and a touch of vanilla. After rolling the dough into thin circles, they’re fried to perfection in hot oil, resulting in a puffy, irresistible delight. A generous coating of cinnamon sugar adds the final sweet touch, making them a favorite among both kids and adults.
Did you know? Buñuelos have been enjoyed since the second century B.C., showcasing a rich history of culinary tradition.
9. The Crunchiest Holiday Treat: Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by MuyBueno
Light and airy, these Mexican fritters are a holiday favorite that come to life with a simple, spiced dough. Made from flour, baking powder, and cinnamon, the dough is enriched with milk, butter, vanilla, and eggs for a soft, flavorful base. Rolled into thin rounds and fried to perfection, they’re finished with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve them with a drizzle of honey or piloncillo syrup.
Did you know that buñuelos are considered a symbol of good fortune and are often enjoyed during Christmas and New Year celebrations in Mexico?
10. From Dough to Delicious: Crafting Perfect Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by BrokeBankVegan
Delight in the airy texture of these traditional Mexican fritters, where each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and warmth. Crafted from simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a touch of coconut oil, the dough is kneaded until smooth, then divided and rolled into thin discs. Fried to a golden-brown perfection, they’re immediately dusted with a generous mix of cinnamon and sugar, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Did you know that in Mexico, bunuelos are often enjoyed during festive celebrations, symbolizing good luck and prosperity?
11. A Sweet Mexican Classic: Cinnamon Sugar Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by HomeCookedHarvest
Golden-brown perfection meets cheesy indulgence in these beloved Colombian buñuelos. With a melt-in-your-mouth interior encased in a light, golden crust, they’re made from a unique blend of cornstarch, cassava flour, and cheese varieties like queso fresco or feta. Shaped into perfect spheres and deep-fried to a beautiful hue, they are a holiday favorite in Colombia.
Did you know these treats are often served alongside natilla, a rich cinnamon custard, making them a festive pairing?
12. Celebrate with Flavor: Easy Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by SpainOnAFork
Delicately fried to a golden hue, these fritters are irresistibly light, with a hint of lemon zest and a sugary coating that makes them shine. The dough—crafted from basic pantry ingredients like water, flour, eggs, and olive oil—puffs up magically in hot oil. Perfect for any occasion, they bring a touch of Spanish tradition to your table.
Did you know their name, “Buñuelos de Viento,” symbolizes their airy, almost weightless texture?
13. Golden Discs of Joy: Buñuelos with Cinnamon Sugar

Image and Recipe by SpanishSabores
Warm, pillowy dough balls fried to golden perfection, buñuelos are a cherished Spanish treat, especially during the festive season. Infused with subtle hints of lemon zest and cinnamon, these delightful morsels are traditionally dusted with powdered sugar and best enjoyed fresh. Pair them with a cup of thick hot chocolate for an indulgent experience.
Did you know that buñuelos have variations across many cultures, each adding its unique twist to this beloved delicacy?
14. A Bite of Tradition: Mexican Buñuelos Recipe

Image and Recipe by VecinaVegetariana
Cheese takes center stage in this Colombian classic, blended with tapioca and cornstarch to form a dough that’s fried to golden perfection. Buñuelos are a festive must-have, especially during the Christmas season, often served alongside rich, custardy natilla. Their savory and slightly sweet flavor makes them irresistible for any occasion.
Did you know these treats are a staple during Colombia’s Día de las Velitas, a magical celebration of light and togetherness?
15. Sweet Simplicity: Mexican Buñuelos for Any Occasion

Image and Recipe by CinnamonSnail
Fried dough meets cinnamon sugar in this festive classic, a treat that has been enjoyed for generations during celebrations. Perfectly paired with a warm drink, they’re easy to prepare and bring joy to any occasion.
Did you know that buñuelos trace their origins back to Spain before becoming a staple in Latin American holiday traditions?
16. Fried and Fabulous: Authentic Buñuelos Recipe

Image and Recipe by KitchenGidget
Delight in the simplicity of this traditional Mexican treat: using store-bought flour tortillas, fry each until they’re golden and crisp, then generously coat them in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. This method offers a quick and easy way to enjoy the classic flavors of buñuelos without the need to prepare dough from scratch.
Did you know that buñuelos are often enjoyed during festive occasions in Mexico, symbolizing good luck and prosperity?
17. The Perfect Holiday Dessert: Homemade Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by QuieroPostre
Spain’s love for festive treats shines through in buñuelos, a classic indulgence made with a simple yeast dough of flour, water, and salt. The dough is worked by hand, left to rise, and then shaped into small rounds with a hole in the middle before being fried to golden perfection. A sprinkle of sugar adds the finishing touch, and they pair beautifully with a warm drink like hot chocolate.
Did you know buñuelos are part of many holiday traditions, especially during Christmas, where families gather to enjoy them fresh from the fryer?
18. Crunchy, Sweet, and Oh-So-Good: Mexican Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by ColombianRecipes
Soft cheese and a touch of yuca flour come together to create a perfectly balanced dough that transforms into these irresistible Colombian bites. The secret? Frying them slowly at just the right temperature ensures a delicate crunch outside and a pillowy, cheesy interior. Pair these treats with your favorite warm beverage, and you’ll be savoring a Colombian holiday tradition in every bite.
Did you know buñuelos are often a centerpiece of Colombia’s festive gatherings?
19. Sprinkle of Sweetness: How to Make Buñuelos

Image and Recipe by BakeStreet
Delicate, airy fritters with a crisp exterior and a tender interior, these traditional Spanish treats are a delight. Crafted from a simple batter of pastry flour, water, milk, butter, and eggs, they’re infused with the aromatic essence of cinnamon, lemon peel, and vanilla. After frying to golden perfection, they’re generously rolled in sugar. For an indulgent twist, fill them with pumpkin spice pastry cream or rich chocolate ganache.
Did you know? The name “buñuelo” may derive from the Roman practice of kneading dough balls with their fists, known as “puñuelo.”
20. Golden Fried Buñuelos: A Mexican Favorite

Image and Recipe by TastyAZ
Is there anything better than a bite-sized treat that’s both crispy and cheesy? These Colombian buñuelos combine cotija cheese, cassava flour, and cornstarch to create a perfectly balanced snack. Fried to golden perfection, they’re a holiday favorite in Colombia, often paired with the creamy sweetness of natilla.
Did you know these traditional delights were lovingly featured in Disney’s Encanto as a nod to Colombian culture?
FAQS
Q: What are buñuelos?
A: Buñuelos are fried dough treats, often sweet, crispy, and sometimes topped with sugar or syrup.
Q: Are buñuelos always sweet?
A: No, they can be savory too, depending on the recipe and region.
Q: What flour is best for buñuelos?
A: All-purpose flour is commonly used, but some recipes use corn or cassava flour.
Q: Can I make buñuelos ahead of time?
A: Yes, but they are best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispiness.
Q: Do buñuelos require special equipment?
A: Not necessarily—just a deep frying pan and basic utensils.

