DessertsHard

Gaznates (Fried Pastry Rolls)

Name: Gaznates (Fried Pastry Rolls)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 100 g Icing sugar; 3 Egg whites; 1 to taste Food colouring; 500 ml Vegetable oil, for frying; 250 g Plain flour; 3 Eggs; 50 g Butter; 150 g Sugar; 1 pinch Salt

60 min (40 prep + 20 cook) Hard 12 servings Puebla

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 10 Feb 2026 · Updated: 10 Mar 2026

Crispy fried pastry tubes filled with colourful meringue.

About this recipe

Gaznates are delicate, crispy fried pastry tubes filled with colourful meringue or cream. A traditional sweet from Puebla and Oaxaca, they can be found in markets and sweet shops throughout the year.

History & Origin

Gaznates are a convent sweet created by the nuns of Puebla during the colonial period, who were masters in the art of confectionery and dessert-making. Their name derives from 'gazapote' or throat, owing to their tubular shape. The technique of rolling the dough around hot metal cylinders and frying them requires great skill. In the markets of Puebla and Oaxaca, they are sold in colourful pyramids that are a visual spectacle, filled with pink, white, and yellow meringue. They are considered one of the most artisanal sweets in Mexico.

Estimated cost

£10.75

Total cost

£0.89

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

305

Calories

Protein

54g

Carbohydrates

17g

Fat

Fibre

219mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Mix the flour with the melted butter, egg yolks, a pinch of salt and a little water until you form a firm dough. Knead for 5 minutes and leave to rest for 20 minutes.
2
Extiende la corn dough (masa) very fina with un rodillo (should be casi transparente). Corta en rectángulos de 8x5 cm.
3
Enrolla each rectángulo alrededor de un tubo de metal engrasado (puedes usar canutos de metal o conos de aluminio).
💡 Si no tienes tubos de metal, enrolla la corn dough (masa) on el mango de a cuchara de madera.
4
Fríe the tubos en oil hot a 170°C durante 2-3 minutes until estén dorados. Retira y desliza la corn dough (masa) of the tubo. Deja enfriar.
5
Prepare the meringue: whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks, add the sugar gradually and whisk until the meringue is firm. Divide and colour in pink, white and yellow.
6
Rellena the tubitos with merengue usando a manga pastelera o cuchara. Espolvorea with sugar glass.