Buñuelo

Deep-fried, golden, and crispy buñuelos are an original Spanish creation that has become an internationally popular treat. In the simplest form, these fritters are created with milk, eggs, butter, and flour into a dough which is usually shaped into balls, then deep-fried.

They were first made by the Sephardic Jews inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula, and through colonization, they spread to Latin America, where they still represent a staple dish. Buñuelos are a popular Hannukah treat among Jewish communities, and in the predominantly Christian communities in Spain and Latin America, the fritters are traditionally made on All Saints Day and during the Christmas season.

Today, there are numerous varieties of these oily snacks: in Columbia, grated cheese is incorporated into the dough, and they are usually more savory than sweet, but commonly served with creamy desserts; while in Mexico, buñuelos are anise-flavored and flat in shape, usually dusted with sugar or drizzled with honey.