Buñuelo
Crisp or fluffy fried dough, sweet or savory, enjoyed across Spain and Latin America
Buñuelo is a fried dough treat with roots in Spain, now enjoyed in many countries shaped by Spanish and Sephardic Jewish traditions. Made from wheat or other starches, sometimes with anise, it can be filled or topped with sweet or savory flavors. Buñuelos are especially popular at Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah, and are often seen as bringing good luck.
- Eaten during Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah
- Made with wheat flour, eggs, and yeast or other starches
- Served with sweet syrup, sugar, or honey
- Popular in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines
- Shapes and fillings vary by region
What is Buñuelo?
Buñuelos are pieces of dough, often made from wheat flour and eggs, shaped into balls, discs, or twists, and fried until crisp or airy. Some versions use cassava, cornmeal, or even mashed bananas. They can be plain or filled, and are usually finished with a sweet syrup, sugar, or honey. In some places, cheese or savory fillings are used. Their texture and taste vary by region, ranging from light and fluffy to dense and chewy.
Where does Buñuelo come from?
The earliest known buñuelos were eaten by Spain’s Morisco community. The idea of frying dough goes back to ancient Mediterranean cooking, with similar recipes found in Roman texts. Over time, buñuelos spread to areas influenced by Spanish and Sephardic Jewish culture, including much of Latin America, the Philippines, and parts of Europe and North Africa. Each region has adapted the treat to local tastes and ingredients.
How is Buñuelo made?
To make buñuelos, a dough is prepared using wheat flour, eggs, and yeast, sometimes flavored with anise. The dough is shaped into rounds, discs, or other forms, then fried in oil until golden. In some countries, cassava or other starches replace wheat. After frying, they may be dusted with sugar, soaked in syrup, or filled with sweet or savory mixtures. Some versions use cheese, fruit, or even ham.
How and when is Buñuelo eaten?
Buñuelos are enjoyed as snacks, desserts, or breakfast foods. They are popular at fairs, family gatherings, and religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah. In Mexico and parts of Latin America, they are often served with a syrup made from cane sugar and spices. In Spain, they might accompany coffee after lunch or be eaten during Lent. The setting can be festive or casual, and they are sometimes shared as a symbol of good luck.
Kinds of Buñuelo
Across regions, buñuelos take many forms. In Spain, they can be filled with cream or made with pumpkin. Colombian buñuelos use cheese and cornmeal, while Cuban ones are twisted and glazed with anise caramel. In the Philippines, rice flour or bananas are used. Puerto Rico offers both sweet and savory versions, sometimes with ham or cheese. Some Latin American countries make them from tortillas or yuca, and in Turkey and Greece, similar sweets are known by other names.
What Buñuelo means
Buñuelos are tied to celebrations and religious observances in many cultures. They are a common treat during Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, and Holy Week. In Latin America, they are seen as a sign of good fortune. In Spain, they are linked to local festivals and family traditions. The treat has also appeared in popular media and is honored with a national day in December.
When Buñuelo is on the table
Questions people ask about Buñuelo
What is a buñuelo made of?
A buñuelo is usually made from a dough of wheat flour, eggs, and yeast, sometimes flavored with anise. In some countries, cassava, cornmeal, or bananas are used instead of wheat.
Where did buñuelos originate?
Buñuelos have their earliest roots among the Morisco community in Spain. The concept of fried dough is ancient, but the buñuelo as known today spread from Spain to Latin America, the Philippines, and other regions.
Are buñuelos sweet or savory?
Buñuelos can be either sweet or savory. Many are finished with sugar, syrup, or honey, but some versions include cheese, ham, or other savory fillings.
When are buñuelos usually eaten?
They are especially popular during festivals and religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah, but are also enjoyed as snacks or desserts throughout the year.
How are buñuelos served?
They can be served hot or at room temperature, often with a sweet syrup, sugar, or honey. In some places, savory versions are eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Buñuelo", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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