Buñuelos are a traditional Colombian Christmas treat, but they are also popular year round for breakfast with hot chocolate or coffee.
What are Colombian Buñuelos?
They are fritters made with a mix of cheese, corn starch and yuca flour. They are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy inside. They are a staple in Colombian during Christmas season.
What do you Need to Make this Recipe
Now let’s talk about my Colombian Buñuelos recipe and ingredients. Traditionally they are made with (Queso Costeño) which is a Colombian white cheese that is a little saltier and harder than Queso Fresco. I used feta cheese for this recipe because to me it’s the most similar cheese to Queso Costeño that I have found here in the United States.
Some Colombian Buñuelos recipes are made just with corn starch, but my grandmother used to add yuca flour to her recipe and it gives the buñuelos a wonderful flavor and texture.
I have to tell you, this recipe gave me a lot of trouble the first time I made it. Now that I’ve made these Buñuelos, I have a lot of respect for buñuelo makers in Colombia :). I know the Buñuelos pictures don’t look very attractive, but they taste wonderful. They are the right consistency inside but it was a bit difficult to get the correct crust consistency because the oil temperature has to be perfect.
In Colombia on December 7th in Colombia, friends get together to celebrate “el dia de las velitas”, a Christmas tradition in honor of the Virgin Mary. They light candles in front of their houses or on their balconies, cook traditional Christmas treats, like Natilla, Buñuelos and Hojuelas and of course, they party :).
How to Make Colombian Buñuelos
Pall the ingredients, except the oil in a medium bowl and mix well using your hands until soft and smooth dough is obtained.
The dough should be very smooth and not very wet or dry. Mix well and add more milk if necessary.
Form small balls using your hands. Be sure the balls are the same size. You can make small or big buñuelos.
In a deep pot, heat the vegetable oil to 300°F (Warm, not very hot). Carefully drop the balls in the warm oil and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels
Tips to Make Buñuelos
When frying Colombian Buñuelos, they become very greasy if the oil is not hot enough, and the exterior will burn before the interior cooks if the oil is too hot.
Avoid adding too many buñuelos at once into the oil as the increase in them will lower the oil’s temperature. Also it’s easier to flip them when there’s enough space. Make sure to add enough oil to your pot to cover the Buñuelos.
You can make the dough for these buñuelos a day ahead of time if you want and leave it wrapped in the fridge.
Use a thermometer for frying. It’s really important to make your oil is at the right temperature
Watch the buñuelos closely as they are frying, they don’t take long and can overcook.
How do I store Leftovers?
Enjoy them while still warm, because that’s when they’re delicious. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple days. When ready to eat, just warm them in the microwave or the oven.
More Colombian Christmas Dishes:
Colombian Buñuelos Recipe
Ingredients
- Canola or Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 + ¾ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup yuca flour or tapioca starch
- 1 cup finely grated feta cheese
- 1 cup finely grated Queso fresco or fresh farmer cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch salt
- 5 tablespoons milk or more if necessary
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients, except the oil in a medium bowl and mix well using your hands until soft and smooth dough is obtained.
- Form small balls using your hands.
- In a deep pot, heat the vegetable oil to 300°F (Warm, not very hot). Carefully drop the balls in the warm oil and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes or until gilden brown.
- Remove from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve.
Sylvia
We live in Australia and are also unable to source Queso Costeño. My mum instead uses ricotta and it is my favourite Colombian dish that she makes. I have just stumbled across this site and I look forward to exploring it more and passing it onto my friends and familia!
Santa Marta
I highly recommend those Bunuelos. They are very delicious. Has anyone had a fried Arepa with egg. A lot of people from the coast of Colombia usually eat that. At first its hard to make but once its cooked its a reward.
Evan
They are delicious and my familys version taste potatoish..
Sam
Wondering if you have a recipe for Pandebono with ingredients in the USA.
Erica
Sam- I am going to post the pandebono recipe this week.
Nats
I made these for christmas and my biggest problem was forming a perfectly round ball! Like you, I now have great respect for my mom, grandma and all buñuelo makers out there! =)
Anonymous
Hi!
Mmm those buñuelos look delicious! I was wondering if you tried to incorporate an egg. Perhaps is because the yield is not in a larger quantity, it doesn't affect the recipe. I also add a little baking powder.
Happy Holidays..
~Xavier
~Xavier
Adriana
Erica, instead of feta cheese try "queso Cotija". It's very close to the "queso Costeño". Where we live we can find it at WalMart. It's a mexican cheese like "queso fresco". My husband uses it to make "pandebonos".
Erica
Adriana- Thank you so much! I am going to try it next time.
Sophie
OOOh Erica, me encantan estos buñuelos!
Me gustan mucho!!! Muchas Gracias por tu receta!
MMMMMM,...estupendo!
Felisha
I love buñuelos! I make mine a little different- I use half queso fresco (or blanco) and half queso cotija (mexican parmesan cheese-pretty salty). I also add harina pan (corn flour) to mine it gives it a nice crust on the outside. I put it in a food processor until it forms a dough. I found a recipe from one of my colombian cookbooks and tweaked it up! The cheese makes all the difference with almojabanas, pandebono and buñuelos! And you're right-the temperature of the oil is crucial. These are my favorite with cold coke!
Leela@SheSimmers
What are you talking about? These look attractive to me. They look delicious, really. At first, I thought it was a savory treat, but then I found out it's a breakfast item. And a breakfast item to be had with hot chocolate too! Oh, my. I'm definitely making these.
Martha
Thank you. My 8 year old daughter will be SOOOO Happy, she has been asking for them.
I'm so greatful I found your site.
Thank you so much.
Erica
Thank you everyone for visiting 🙂
Claudia
Erica,
Encantadisima de encontrar este sitio, especialmente por los ingredientes que usas, ya que son faciles de conseguir en otros paises. Desde ahora esta familia sera una fiel seguidora de este blog. Ya te contaremos como nos quedan la natilla y los bunuelos. Ojala puedes publicar algo para navidad.
Anonymous
nico translate helped me with this one
Joanne
I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with fried cheese AND partying. Great recipe and thanks for the description about this Colombian holiday!
Vinolia
oh, yummy yum, that's a delicious cheesy treat!!! sounds absolutely delicious!!!!
Ivy
I love your buñuelos. In Greece we call them tyrokroketes (cheese croquettes). I have not made them yet but now I feel like making some.