Dominican Buñuelos are fried dough balls soaked in vanilla cinnamon syrup. A traditional Latin dessert, buñuelos are made from yuca or potatoes, and are one of the many ethnic foods brought to the USA by immigrants like me, and that make America great.
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Sharing my story about buñuelos brings back so many good memories from my childhood, my family and my country of birth. I believe food gives us the deepest connection with our family, country, and soul. During the last couple of weeks, I have been reading beautiful stories from a group of food bloggers, who through their food, are sharing about their family and their experiences as immigrants. After reading some of their stories, I felt so moved to share my story of immigrating to the United States along with my all-time favorite Dominican dessert soaked in an aromatic syrup, called Buñuelos.
Me and my mother in the Dominican Republic.
As many of you already know, I was born in Dominican Republic, and I'm also proud to be a United States citizen living in this wonderful country full of opportunities for all of us. We immigrants are a very important part of the economy and the progress of this country, and collectively we bring a huge variety of food choices with us.
Fried dough balls (buñuelos) is a traditional Latin dessert usually served during Easter week. However I love it any time of the year. Geoffrey always jokes about our Latin desserts because most of them are made from legumes (beans) or root vegetables (yuca, potatoes, sweet plantain, sweet potatoes, and many more). For him, desserts are cakes, and cookies, etc. and have nothing to do with beans or vegetables. Although he's not crazy about Dominican desserts, check out one of Geoffrey's favorites Dominican dishes Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Plantain Mash.
How to make Fried Dough Balls or Buñuelos?
The fried dough balls I made this week are with yuca. The first thing you need to do is boil the yuca until it is soft. Take it out of the water and put it in a bowl. Then we use a meat grinder (moledor de carne) and pass the yuca through. Another tool that you can use is the food mill. In the Dominican Republic, we use the traditional Moledor de Carne. For this recipe I used a meat grinder accessory that you attach to the stand mixer.
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In a large bowl, add the grinded yuca and the other ingredients in the first part of the recipe card below. Combine well and with an ice cream scooper form small-to-medium balls. Place them on a baking sheet. You could fry them right away, but I suggest putting them in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. It will help to hold their shape during the frying process.
When you are frying the buñuelos, you just need enough oil to cover half of the buñuelos. Also, we just need to give them a nice golden brown color, so don’t keep them in there too long. Check in the recipe card the list of the ingredients and the step by step process for this delicious fried dough balls soaked in a wonderful aromatic syrup.
I came to the United States of America looking for happiness in a place that accepts me for who I am. When I arrived, I have been fortunate to meet many beautiful people with a big heart, who have helped me ever since I got to this country, trusting me and giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams - "The American Dream."
When I was planning to move to the USA, I started to chat online to discover more about what it was like being gay and living here. In those online chat rooms was where I met one of my best friends Bill whom I love so much because he was the first person that welcomed me to Miami.
The happiness and success that I have in my life I owe to a special group of friends that accepted me and pushed me to be a better person, and gave me energy to keep fighting against those moments that I missed my family so much and wanted to give up. I want to take a moment to appreciate their friendship, love and support.
- Bill "The American" - You are more than a friend to me, you are like my father because you guided me and protected me. You were the first person that extended your heart and hands from the moment that I landed in Miami.
- Gorky "The Dominican" - Thanks to you I had a place to live for the first two months without you asking me for anything. I know we were friends from before when I lived in Dominican, but you showed me that you truly honor our friendship and gave me what I needed at that moment - love, patience and true friendship
- Ali "The Muslim Lebanese" - I'm so lucky that I met you in Dominican and we kept our friendship alive. Much like Jesus’ teachings, you offered me your home when I didn't have a home. You fed me, when I didn't have food or money. And, you didn't ask anything in exchange. I am eternally grateful.
- Tim & Meredith "The American Married Gay Couple" - You gave me my first job in this country and treated me with respect and made me feel like part of your family. You trusted me to take care of your beautiful home.
- Chaya "The Jewish Girl" - I was very lucky to meet you - a beautiful, smart, independent, and strong woman. You were another huge motivational force who help me throughout this long process and you gave me vital support to become the person that I am today. Your friendship was unconditional.
- Geoffrey "My American Husband" - My journey in this country has been blessed since I met you. You gave me the most important things - love, friendship, support, a home, a new family and a new life full of happiness. We have been sharing our lives together for the past 12 years and I'm proud to say: "I'm your husband."
This country has given me so much, and the diversity of the people that are part of my life is what makes America "Great." We all make up a wonderful country with a big heart!
Have a wonderful week,
Carlos
P.S. - I felt so moved by reading some wonderful immigrant stories from food bloggers that I wanted to be part of this beautiful act of kindness. Make sure to search and read their stories on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #ImmigrantFoodStories, and please share your own immigrant food stories too!
Here are a few Immigrant Food Stories that spoke to me:
- Armenian Bulgur Salad
- Fatteh with Cumin Chickpeas
- Beef Goulash With Einkorn Spaetzl
- Armenian Bulghur.
- Greek Cabbage Rolls with Avgolemon Sauce
More recipes from the Dominican Republic
- Dominican Arepa Dulce De Maiz | Cornmeal Coconut Cake with Pumpkin
- Jalea de Batata Dulce | White Sweet Potato Pudding
- Gourmet Dominican Chimichurri Hamburger
- Habichuelas con Dulce | Cream of Sweet Beans
- Morir Soñando | Milk and Orange Juice Drink
Fried Dough Balls Recipe | Dominican Buñuelos
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 or more 1x
Description
Dominican Buñuelos are fried dough balls soaked in vanilla cinnamon syrup. This traditional Latin dessert recipe is typically made and served during Easter week. Buñuelos are made from either yuca or potatoes.
Ingredients
For the Buñuelos:
- 1-½ lbs of boiled yuca
- 1-½ Tablespoons of butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 3 Tablespoons of sugar
- 1 ½ cups frying oil
For the Aromatic Syrup:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 strip of lime zest
- 1 star anise
- 2 sticks of cinnamon
- 8 cloves
- 1 vanilla pod
- 3 pods of cardamom
- 4 cup of water
Instructions
How to make Buñuelos or Fried Dough Balls:
- Peel, cut, and boil yuca until it is soft - around 10 minutes.
- Cooldown the yuca to room temperature. Remove the hard fiber center.
- Pass the yuca through the meat grinder (or food mill or electric meat grinder).
- In a large bowl place the grinded yuca, egg, baking powder, salt, sugar, and butter. Mix all the ingredients until is well combined.
- Start to make the balls using an ice cream scoop and then shape them into a nice round ball. Place them on a baking sheet.
- You can place the tray in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Doing this will help to keep the ball shape during the frying process but this is not necessary to do in our traditional recipe.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. When the oil is really hot, place the balls into the oil. Be careful that the hot oil doesn’t splatter.
- Do this process in batches and don't overcrowd the pan. Turn them until each side has a nice golden brown color.
- Place them on a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Place the Buñuelos in a large bowl with a lid. Put the lid on after they cool down completely
How to make the Aromatic Vanilla Cinnamon Syrup:
- Mix all the ingredients and bring to a quick boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the liquid has reduced to half. Make sure to stir constantly.
- Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
To serve the Buñuelos de Yuca:
Many people have different ways to serve the Buñuelos. But, this is the way my family does it.
- After the Buñuelos and the syrup have cooled to room temperature, pour the syrup over the Buñuelos and make sure they all get covered completely. Let them soak into the aromatic syrup.
- In most cases, you will need to make more syrup because the Buñuelos most likely will soak up all the syrup... which is a good thing
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: Dominican
Hey there, I'm Carlos, a food and drink enthusiast, recipe blogger and 
Eileen Kelly
Oh my,I love your background in coming to America. Beautiful. I'm blessed with a dear neighbor from the DR and she shares many recipes with me. I can't wait to make these for her. She will love them too.
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Thanks for mentioning that you read the recipe post. Sometimes we wonder if people actually read what we write. Thank you! and, you ARE lucky to have a neighbor from the DR :)
Laura
I've had these before but not with that delicious sauce...must try!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
The syrup sauce definitely adds something special. Do give it a try.
Terri
I always feel better about eating desserts with vegetables in them so I love these!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
That's great to hear Terri. Yes, I guess it's a little less guilt ;)
colleen kennedy
I HAVE to try these, the idea of the dough ball and the syrup...Wow! A party in my mouth!!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Yes Colleen, it is a party in your mouth for sure! Can't wait for you to try it.
Anne Lawton
Great post! And these dough balls sound amazing!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Thanks Anne. They really are amazing. Hope you get a chance to try them.
Sally Castillo
My mom always prepared the typical dishes you'll eat in the Dominican Republic but nothing really fancy. Recently, I've been interested in making South Asian food because that's where my fiance is from. After I attempted to make a dessert called gulab jamun and had my dad try it was when I found out there's a sweet dish just like it in DR! (Buñuelos) Now my fiance and I have one other thing in common, hurray! Thank you for posting your recipe, I can't wait to try it!
Please post more Dominican dishes!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
Thank you so much Sally for sharing your story. That is amazing. Are there any Dominican dishes you would like us to make? What is your favorite?
Aaliyah Artis
I Was going to comment something similar. my family is Jamaican and Guyanese and we love gulab jamun. it instantly reminded me of it.
Carlos A Gonzalez
Roberto, thank you! You just brought a whole lot of childhood memories all around something so simple as buñuelos... in my home town when I was a kid you could buy buñuelos as street food and I would always look forward to going to the market with my mother or grand mother and get one.
In general, buñuelos in Colombia are a Christmas season item served during the "Novenas" and therefore all the memories that come along with it.
By the way, it's so sweet what you wrote about Bill and how you met and became so close.
For sure, will try this recipe and believe me, Bill is NOT going to let me off now that he has read your blog and recipe.
Carlos
Carlos Leo
I'm so happy to hear that my story brought you such a wonderful memories from your childhood. Food has a profound connection from where we come. Our countries share similar culture and traditions. It's a beautiful thing. Thank you so much, Carlos, for reading my post and share your experience.
Ginnie | Hello Little Home
These sound absolutely delicious! I need to make them ASAP. I enjoyed reading your story and love the positive message. You're so right that it's the diversity of people that has always made our country great. :)
Carlos Leo
Ginnie, I truly appreciate your lovely comment. I love to hear that you enjoyed my story. You definitely should try this recipe.
Bill Dommel
Dearest Roberto, Thank you for your wonderful recipes. These bunelos look like they'll be delicious. I'm really looking foreword to trying them. I'm going to share the recipe with my sister Winnie because I'm sure she'll love them. And, of course I'll share the recipe with my Carlos so he will make the bunelos. Thank you for your loving expressions about your and my very close friendship. You know that I feel the same about you. Love, Bill The American
Carlos Leo
Hey Bill, thank you so much for reading my post. It is a very special post for me; It's always important to give appreciation to the people close us and knowledge their friendship. You are a very special person with a big heart!
I hope your sister Winnie get to make the Buñuelos. She will love it.
Gorky
Dear Roberto ,
This is amazing and delicious! We both have pasión for amazing food! We both put lots of love and creativity in all we do ! Can wait to try you recipe of the buñuelos! We have been part of each other's lives for such a long long time and more then a friend you are like a brother to me!
Looking forward to see more delicious recipes ❤️
Love you guys ?
Carlos Leo
Hi My dear Gorky, thank you for your reading my post and for your beautiful words. It means a lot to me. Love you!
Lily | Kale & Caramel
These buñuelos sound amazing, Carlos! Thanks so much for your email, and for sharing your immigrant food story—so powerful to see how our community can reach so many. I love your acknowledgment of the friends that have helped make the US home for you, too. Beautiful!
Carlos Leo
Hi Lily, Thank you so much for your wonderful words. Also, thank you to YOU for inspired me to write this post. The buñuelos taste exquisite, and the syrup is the key flavor that brings everything together.
Tim Birrittella
Great article. I will definitely try making these. I was just in New Orleans and they have their own version of fried dough balls called Beignets. Yummy as well. I'm so glad we were able to play a small role in your journey. You are a great guy!!!
Carlos Leo
Hello, Tim, I heard from a lot of people about the Beignets, but I haven't try. I'm looking forward to making them soon. Thank you for being such a wonderful human being.
Becca Weber
Thanks Carlos, I love this!!!! Thank you for sharing your journey. I totally agree that food connects us to our family, country and soul!!! Beautiful!
Carlos Leo
Thank you, Becca, for reading my post. This Immigrant story is one of my most personal posts, and I'm happy that you were able to read my journey here in the USA.
Emily
Oh wow I love that these are soaked in that delicious syrup, this sound like such a perfect dessert!
Carlos Leo
Emily, They are really amazingly delicious and addicting too:)
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
What a dessert, and what a treat. Lovely heartwarming words too
Carlos Leo
It's a delicious dessert. Thank you so much for your lovely words. I appreciate it. I'm glad that you stop by and read my story.
April J Harris
What a lovely post! I do agree, food does bring us closest to our families, our countries and our souls! Your Fried Dough Balls look so delicious - love the wonderful vanilla cinnamon syrup they are infused with too!
Carlos Leo
Thank you so much April for your kind of words. This dessert is heaven for me:)
Nicole
Such lovely heart warming words. I love learning about different cuisines. These cassava balls in the syrup look so yummy!
Carlos Leo
Hello Nicole, I truly appreciate your beautiful words. This post helped me to express my feeling in a positive way and through my passion for cooking. I'm a big fan of other countries history, food, and traditions. Thanks for stopping by.
Rae
Where have these been all my life? These sound so appealing, I can't wait to try them.
Geoffrey Swetz
Hi Rae. They have been here waiting for you! Do try them. You'll love them
Lilly
Congratulations Roberto... beautiful written. Not many of us can express our feelings in writing. You did it beautiful, gratefully and thankfully as you are... fantastico...
Happy to have you as a colleague, always helpful and warm.
So when are we going to be invited to try your food... your cooking paradise....it all look so good on the pictures. We are going to DR in October I will for sure try this..
Carlos Leo
Thank you so much Lilly for those kind of words. It means a lot to me.
Sebastian
So true! Food makes part of the real American culture and food seat people from around the world to get into agreements. Thanks Roberto to open our minds to this detail!
Carlos Leo
Thank you to you Sebastian for stopping by and checking out my most personal post.