Bunuelos (Sephardic Doughnuts) - Recipe
Bunuelos (also spelled bimuelos) are a rustic yeast-raised and fried donut that the Sephardic side of my family makes. For Hanukkah we have them with the traditional honey; any other time I prefer them with powdered sugar. There is also a Passover version made with matzoh, but honestly that doesn't hold a candle to the flour-based doughnut.
The dough for bunuelos should be quite wet. This isn't a doughnut that you roll out. You wet your hands, grab a piece of dough, form a rough ball and poke a hole with your thumb, then drop it straight in the oil. The result is unfussy, light and airy, and altogether insanely delicious. They are so simple to make that you could stir up the dough in just a few minutes before dinner, and fry them up afterwards to entertain and thrill the kids.
Bunuelos (Sephardic Doughnuts)
Vegan option / Yields about 14 doughnuts / 20 minutes active (plus a 1 hour rise)
- 1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 2 cups warm water, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- oil for deep frying
- honey (or powdered sugar, for vegan or if you prefer)
- Stir the yeast into 1 cup of the warm water and allow to proof. If you don't see bubbles after a few minutes, buy new yeast. Mix in the remaining cup of water along with the salt, sugar and tablespoon of oil. Slowly stir in the flour, and keep stirring until you have a smooth, wet dough. Cover and allow to rise in a warm spot for at least 1 hour. (I've allowed it to go four hours, stirring down occasionally, and it only gets more delicious).
- Put 3 inches of oil in a pot suitable for deep frying and bring to 370 degrees F (use a candy/deep fry thermometer). Line a tray with paper towels. Get a bowl of water ready.
- Moisten your hands in the bowl of water and grab about 3 tablespoons of the dough. Quickly form it into a rough ball and poke a hole through the center. These are supposed to be rustic so don't spend any time trying to make them perfect. Drop carefully into the oil. Repeat for as many as will fit comfortably in your pot without crowding. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and brown the other side. Use a slotted spoon to remove to paper towels.
- Drizzle with honey (or offer honey for dipping, or dust with powdered sugar) and serve immediately.
