Picarones are a traditional breakfast and dessert food that originated from Peru and the surrounding area. It is thought to have been invented a few hundred years ago when the conquistadors landed in South America.
Since then, these delicious delicacies have grown in popularity and are a favorite among many.
These doughnut-shaped foods are traditionally made with sweet potato and squash, but there are many recipe varieties out there.
They are fried, too, but the method of cooking could be altered depending on your preferences and needs.
Just know that any changes you make will impact the end result, and you might end up with something that isn’t exactly the authentic food!
Whatever you choose to do, you should absolutely try your hand at making picarones. With some time and practice, you will fall in love with everything about this food.
If that appeals to you, let’s dive into some of our favorite picarones recipes that you can try.
28 Easy And Simple Picarones Recipes You Need To Try
1. Picarones with Chancaca Honey and Fresh Cheese
These picarones look like a work of art for one reason – they are! This recipe works wonderfully with some fresh cheese to break up the sweetness, and is bound to become a Christmas staple. It’s a showstopper!
2. Picarones with Fig Chancaca Syrup
The chancaca syrup is rich with figgy goodness, and you will never look back. It’s so simple to make, and uses dried figs, apple, orange zest, and a whole host of other incredible flavors to treat your palate to.
3. Easy Chilean Picarones
This recipe calls for pumpkin purée instead of sweet potato or squash, so expect a different flavor! You will still get the stunning orange coloring, and you might even love it more!
Sprinkle on a hearty amount of confectioner’s sugar and chancaca syrup to really get the most out of every mouthful.
4. Minimalist Picarones
Simple and so easy to make, these minimalist picarones are what you can expect if you ever Peru. All the authentic flavors are right there to enjoy, and that rich syrup is just the cherry on top.
5. Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Picarones
Rich with the flavor of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and molasses, this recipe will feel like a warm hug in the dead of winter. It’s your duty to try them out.
6. Simple Picarones
These simple Peruvian sweet potato doughnuts can be enjoyed at breakfast time or for dessert! This recipe’s chancaca is potent and possibly the best thing about it! It brings everything together beautifully.
7. Pumpkin Doughnut Picarones
For this recipe, you can use fennel seeds instead of star anise for something a little different! You’ll still get the mouth watering end result that you can’t wait to eat, though.
8. Simplified Picarones
Nutmeg, cinnamon, and honey – you know you’re in for a good time when you read those ingredients! This simplified picarones is perfect for anyone starting their picarones journey, and want to start on the simple stuff.
9. Sweet Potato and Molasses Picarones
Sweet and spicy, you will have a great time with this sweet potato and molasses picarones recipe.
10. Pisco Sour Glazed Picarones
Look at these works of art! This recipe calls for some fresh mint to set it apart from all the other recipes, and it’s enough to make you fall in love with it. Not to mention the vodka in the pisco sour glaze!
11. Portuguese-Style Picarones
These Portuguese-style picarones are more than you think! Hidden inside these doughnuts are fresh strawberries, adding something totally different to this recipe. If you love strawberries, you should test this recipe out.
12. Peruvian Picarones
This recipe calls for winter squash and sweet potato to get that amazing coloring and flavor. It’s simple, delicious, and looks good enough to eat!
13. Picarones-Styled Doughnut Holes
Want picarones flavor, but a bit different? Why not make picarones-style doughnut holes? They will be easier to eat, but just as delicious.
14. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Picarones
This gluten-free pumpkin picarones recipe is one that you will be making over and over again. Try it out!
15. Simple Picarones
Even if you aren’t a fan of sweet foods, this simple picarones recipe will become your go-to breakfast item. The rich flavor from the molasses is unforgettable, and you can even make your syrup a little fruity for something different.
16. Sweet and Spicy Picarones
The sweet and spicy comes from the lovely syrup – it has all the good stuff in it, but also brandy! This will be sure to keep you warm in the winter, and make your tongue come to life. It’s a breathtaking recipe, and you need to try it.
17. Picarones con Miel
This delightful picarones recipe comes with a little twist. Here, you will only be using pumpkin to make your dough, rather than sweet potato!
The chancaca will also be packed full of flavor from bay leaves, orange, acacia honey, cinnamon, and star anise.
18. Picarones with Chancaca
If you are someone who can’t get enough of the chancaca, this recipe will be the one for you. There’s more than enough to go around! You might ask yourself, “do I want picarones with my chancaca?”
19. Easy Picarones
Looking for an easy picarones recipe to follow? This will be the one for you, and you will still get amazing results.
20. Receta de Picarones
Take a look at these perfectly crispy picarones! This is the epitome of picarones aesthetic, and stays true to the traditional recipe. You will find all your favorite flavors in these rings of beauty.
21. Rustic Picarones
There’s something special about rustic food, don’t you think? Well, if you love rustic food, then take a look at these picarones! They’re perfect in every way, and taste better than you could ever imagine.
22. Food-Stall Style Picarones
If you want to get as close to food-stall picarones as you can without going to Peru, this is the recipe for you! You’ll enjoy all the authentic flavors with this recipe, and maybe even copy the look! They’re outstanding.
23. Chilean Picarones
Chilean picarones have only a few mild differences compared to Peruvian picarones, but they are so worth trying. The orange-infused syrup is the perfect addition to bring everything together and make the ultimate breakfast.
24. Easily Accessible Picarones
All the ingredients you need to make this are easily accessible wherever you are. The chancaca syrup has all the perfect elements to it, including orange, lime, cinnamon, and of course rich brown sugar.
You really can’t get any better than that.
25. Every Day Picarones
These every day picarones are super simple to make, and combine pumpkin and sweet potatoes perfectly. They’re mildly sweet without being overpowering, and have the best syrup you could ever ask for. Delightful!
26. Classic Picarones
Are you looking for a classic picarones recipe to enjoy on your day off? This recipe will fulfill all your picarones needs, and you will keep coming back for more. They’re just too good to pass up!
27. Hearty Picarones
These hearty picarones are what we all imagine having for dessert, right? Sweet and juicy, there’s nothing better. Why not try making your own by following the hearty but simple recipe in the link?
28. Peruvian Picarones
Finally, this Peruvian picarones recipe is another must-try option. While the overall flavor might be the same as many other recipes, this will offer a few small things that you might want to pay special attention to.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! If you have never heard of picarones until today, you should take this as your sign to try them. They are delicious, and surprisingly easy to make!
You may even decide to play around with flavors to come up with something new if you feel like it.
While we will always love the traditional sweet potato and squash flavors in this breakfast and dessert foods, there are plenty of combinations that are yet to be discovered!
You might discover something truly amazing, so don’t be afraid to try it out and be bold.
Now, go enjoy your picarones, and be sure to get a healthy helping of the chancaca syrup to tie it all together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Picarones?
Picarones are doughnut-like breakfast and dessert foods made from sweet potato and squash. They are fried, and are usually served with chancaca syrup and confectioner’s sugar.
Where Do Picarones Come From?
Picarones originate from Peru! They are a very popular Peruvian dish
What Are Picarones Traditionally Made From?
These doughnut-like desserts are made from sweet potato and squash.
What Do You Serve With Picarones?
Picarones are traditionally served with a sprinkling of confectioner’s sugar and lots of delicious chancaca syrup.
28 Mouthwatering Picarones Recipes You Have To Try Today
Want to make some delicious picarones for breakfast or dessert? Why not take a look at our favorite picarones recipes that you can easily make at home?
Ingredients
Directions
- Pick a recipe from the list above
- Click the recipe name and visit the website
- Collect the ingredients and cook the food
- Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review
Recipe Video
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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