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If you have ever visited Peru, then you have probably heard of Picarones. Picarones are a dish that originates in Lima, Peru, and they are a National dessert.
These desserts essentially look like donuts, and are very similar to Spanish ‘buñuelos’, a dish brought to the area by the Spanish when they invaded.
You might have tried Picarones before, and have been looking for the perfect recipe ever since. But, finding a good Picarones recipe is often difficult, simply because there are so many different options on the internet.
A lot of these recipes are similar to one another, but very few are the same. The key ingredients for Picarones are sweet potato and squash, but there are lots of subtle changes that you can make to the recipe to alter the flavor.
In this guide, I’ve compiled 25 of the most amazing Picarones recipes. Some of these recipes are similar to one another, but none of them are the same. So, if you want to try making your own Picarones, give one of these recipes a go!
Let’s kick this list off with a classic Picarones recipe by ‘Peru Delights’. This is a truly authentic recipe, and it contains all the key ingredients for perfect picarones.
So, if you want to create Picarones that taste just like the ones that you have eaten in Peru, this is the recipe for you!
Another wonderful recipe to follow is this one by ‘eat Peru’. This is another authentic recipe, but it is slightly different from the last one that I looked at due to personal and regional preferences.
So, if the previous recipe wasn’t for you, check this one out.
If you want to switch up your Picarones, I would suggest trying this recipe. Instead of squash, this recipe uses pumpkin alongside sweet potatoes to create a truly unique flavor.
They look like Picarones, and they taste a lot like Picarones, but with a subtle twist that completely transforms this dessert.
If you want Picarones that are exactly like the ones that come off a food stall on the streets of Peru, this is the recipe for you!
With the classic key ingredients of squash and sweet potato, paired with pineapple peels, cinnamon and other seasonings, this recipe is a classic, and definitely one to try!
If you like the idea of using pumpkin instead of squash, like I mentioned earlier, this is another recipe that you should give a go. These yummy donuts are then finished off with an orange glaze to make them sticky and sweet.
They are slightly different to classic Picarones, but they taste just as good.
Different recipes will recommend that you use different types of squash, some of these types aren’t that easily accessible, but this recipe is.
For this recipe, you should use butternut squash, which is sold in most grocery stores. So, if you want a recipe that you can easily get the ingredients for, this is the one.
If the recipes that I have looked at so far seem a little complex, here’s another one for you to try. This recipe is the easiest one that I could find on the internet, so it is achievable for even the most inexperienced cooks.
So, if you want to give these Peruvian treats a try, but struggle with baking, this is the recipe for you!
Another classic recipe that you could follow is this Chilean Picarones recipe. Chilean Picarones are slightly different from Peruvian ones, but they have the same principle flavors.
So, if you want something similar to Picarones, that is not quite the same, this is the recipe you should try.
Picarones are a dish that originates in Southern America, but this recipe actually comes from the State of New York.
This dish might have come from the South, but it is now popular all over the world, and this recipe just proves that. So, if you want a Western twist on Picarones, give this recipe a go.
Taking this dish back to its origins, I would recommend trying this recipe by Ricardo Cuisine. Due to the different regions of Peru, this recipe varies all over the country, and this is just another take on that classic dish.
Minor changes to the recipe can completely transform the taste, so if the other recipes haven’t been to your liking, give this one a try.
Another great recipe that uses pumpkin instead of squash is this one by Que Rica Vida. This recipe is clear and straightforward, so if you dislike overly complex recipes, this is the one for you!
This recipe leaves no room for confusion, so it is perfect if you aren’t comfortable in the kitchen, or just want to get the job done.
If your favorite thing about Picarones is the spicy kick that they have, this is the perfect recipe for you.
This recipe takes the spicy element of Picarones and runs with it, creating an even spicier dessert which compliments the sweet potato flavor excellently.
You might be wondering what happens with the hole in the center of the donut, and donut holes are the answer.
This recipe allows you to create bite-sized picarones that taste just like the real deal, so they are perfect for snacks or as finger food when you have friends around.
Picarones are usually glazed with a sweet orange glaze, but this recipe instead calls for a sour glaze.
It is surprising how much of a difference that the glaze makes, and the sour glaze completely transforms this dish, making it perfect if you fancy a change.
A lot of people now follow a Gluten Free diet, and this can make finding recipes difficult. But look no further. For a Picarones recipe that is completely gluten-free, check out the link above.
For another Picarones recipe with a twist, I would recommend giving this one a try. This recipe follows the classic ingredients, except for one added extra, and that is honey fig compote.
It is surprising how much one ingredient can change a dish, so give this recipe a try.
Alternatively, I would recommend giving this classic recipe by Mastercook a go. If you want to take it back to basics, this is the perfect recipe. So it is definitely worth giving it a taste.
These might not be called Picarones by name, but they are exactly the same. Just like the recipe that I looked at earlier, this recipe uses cream cheese and honey to create a truly unique dish.
Another brilliant recipe to try is this one. With the addition of molasses, these Picarones taste incredible, and the glaze is insanely good. So if you are a lover of Picarones, you have to give these a try.
For a truly authentic Peruvian recipe, I would recommend trying this one. With minor changes to the key ingredients, this recipe is completely different to anything else I have spoken about so far. So you should definitely give it a go.
For a Portuguese take on Picarones, give this recipe a try. It tastes very different to classic Picarones, but the key base ingredients are still there. So, it is worth giving them a taste.
Another recipe that deviates minimally from the classic Picarones recipe is this one. So, if you are a lover of the classic seasoned sweet potato taste of Picarones, I would suggest giving this one a try.
Finally, let’s wrap this list up with this Picarones recipe, where the key focus is on the Chancaca honey used in the glaze.
The glaze is one of the best parts of Picarones, and this recipe ensures that the glaze is always the showstopper. So you should definitely give this one a go.
