Rating: 4.9/5
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Gorditas is one of the most favorite Mexican recipes for its convenience, crispy texture, and adaporability of a various tasty stuffing. Obviously, they are amazing as breakfast, lunch, or dinner which will turn any meal into a celebration! If you are a beginner in Mexican food or a professional cook trying to expand your arsenal this recipe is just what the doctor ordered.
Gorditas: A History
Before diving into how to make it, let’s explore a bit of their background:
- Ancient Origins: Gorditas commonly known as little fatties in Spanish are believed to have originated from the indigenous people of Mexico where corn was such an essential ingredient.
- Versatility: Although a variant of the taquitos, it is a common meal in Mexican households as a snack and is a stuffer for cheese, beans, and meats.
- Regional Variations: Every part of Mexico has its installment. For instance, the one in north Mexico is deep fried while the southern one is barbequed.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, you can make these little pockets of deliciousness with basic, easy-to-find ingredients:
For the Gorditas:
- 2 cups of masa harina (corn flour)
- 1 1/4 cups of warm water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Oil for frying (if you prefer fried gorditas)
Suggested Fillings (Feel free to get creative!):
- Refried beans
- Shredded cheese (like queso fresco or cheddar)
- Shredded chicken, beef, or pork
- Guacamole or diced avocado
- Salsa or hot sauce
- Sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, etc.)
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to prepare your gorditas from scratch:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Mix the masa harina, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Slowly incorporate the warm water and continue kneading with the same hands until it become so soft and sticky, resembling putty. If it is too dry, then it should be dough should be wet slightly with water but should not be sticky.
Step 2: Shape the Gorditas
Knead – then roll it into individual portions into 8-10 balls. Roll each ball between your hands down to a thick flat disc about 6mm thickness. Of course, you can used a tortiller press for this but you can also do this by hand without the need of special equipment.
Step 3: Cook the Gorditas
- For Grilled Gorditas: In a shallow pan or griddle cook on medium heat. Fry each gordita for approximately 2-3 minutes for one side and repeat for the other side until it is a golden brown color and the gordita is slightly puffed up. Once done, allow to cool slightly.
- For Fried Gorditas: Place in a deep skillet and heat in medium fire the oil used for cooking. For each gordita, 1-2 minutes on each side should be enough to turn it nice and crispy and golden. After that place the cutlet on paper napkins and put some weight on top so that the extra oil is absorbed.
Step 4: Cut and Fill
Once the gorditas have cooled for about 5 minutes, using a sharp knife cut the Gordita in half while preserving one side of the circle. After forming the gorditas you fill them with your preferred food such as beans, cheese or shredded meat.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
You should serve your stuffed gorditas with salsa, guacamole or any other type of spread or topping of your choice. Eat it warm and see the facial expressions of people change from plain to happy.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 180-220 (depending on fillings)
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 190mg
Gorditas can be enjoyed as a balanced meal, providing a mix of carbohydrates from the masa, proteins from the fillings, and healthy fats from ingredients like avocado and cheese.
Top Tips for Delicious Gorditas
- Filling Options: Don’t limit yourself! The fillings are not limited – you can use spicy chorizo or sautéed vegetables for that purpose.
- Corn Flour vs. Wheat Flour: Originally, gorditas are prepared using masa harina which is corn flour More time to Learn Something New! But if you prefer you can try using wheat flour to get a different feel of the cookies.
- Add Spices: If you want to give extra flavor to your dough add some cumin or chili pepper to it.
A wonderful use for gorditas is that these are not only an entertaining food but also a rather tasty one to use with any meal. From being a first time Gorditas maker following this recipe to being an expert, you will be taken on a culinary trip to the Mexican soul. Well, here is your luck, bring all those ingredients, and let’s make this crispy yet warm and perfectly yummy dish!
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