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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Homemade Huaraches Recipe

Homemade Huaraches Recipe

Last Updated June 27, 2020. Originally Posted June 30, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Huaraches are tasty oval-shaped corn masa cakes. They are made with only two ingredients: masa harina and water. Top them with meat, veggies, and drizzle with your favorite salsa. A Mexican treat that can’t be beat!
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A huarache on a wooden cutting board and topped with meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

A huarache on a wooden cutting board and topped with meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

This Homemade Huaraches recipe is a keeper!

My dad and I used to go to a restaurant in Baja California that made some the size of my head. Not kidding you!

My favorite way to top these oval-shaped masa cakes: Chorizo con Papas, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and lots of Roasted Tomato Salsa… Mmm!!

So tasty and so delicious. The best of the best of Mexican food!

More Mexican Food Classics:

Sopes
Tlacoyos
Gorditas

Masa harina spread out with a package of Maseca on top.

Ingredients

  • Masa Harina
  • Water
  • Salt (optional)

Masa Harina is a big ingredient in Mexican cuisine. You can’t substitute masa harina for corn flour either.

Masa harina is a special corn flour that has gone through a highly alkaline process. It is also gluten free.

Huaraches, on their own, are gluten free, but it really depends on what toppings you add.

This is the main ingredient to many Mexican recipes like corn tortillas, masa for tamales, and champurrado.

A collage showing how to make the corn dough for the Mexican Huaraches.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Mix the masa harina and salt (if using).
  • Slowly add the water until a dough ball forms.
  • Knead lightly for a few minutes.
  • Cover with a kitchen towel.

The texture should be like wet sand. Let the dough rest for a bit. About 15 minutes.

Pro Tip:

It will dry out slightly during this wait time. If it dries out too much, you’ll end up with a tough huarache. Covering with a kitchen towel will prevent this from happening.

Wax paper placed inside of a tortilla press.

  • Cut two pieces of wax paper, or cut up a gallon size plastic bag.
  • Place inside a tortilla press or under a glass pie plate.

There are such things in Mexico as huarache presses. Since tortilla presses are more popular in the US, this is what we’re using here.

No tortilla press? No problemo!


Use a pie plate, casserole dish, even skillet.

Anything heavy that will press down and flatten the corn dough.

A hand showing how to form and make huaraches using a tortilla press.

  • Make a small ball of dough. About the size of the golf ball.
  • Roll up like the size of a long cigar.
  • Place in the center of tortilla press.
  • Press down.

More Pro Tips:

Do this one by one. If you do them all at once and then cook them, the dough will dry out.

Flattened masa between two pieces of wax paper.

  • Remove from the wax paper.
  • Place the uncooked huarache in your hand.

Do not discard the wax paper. It can be reused several times.

Aren’t these sandals?


Huaraches is also the word to describe Mexican sandals. This dish was named after these types of sandals because of their oval shape, similar to the shoe.

A huarache cooking a black skillet.

  • Place on a hot griddle.
  • Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Hot griddle is what is most commonly used, but you can take up a notch and fry them instead.

Frying Instructions:

  • Pinch the center of the dough to make indentations.
  • Fry in hot oil for 30 seconds on each side.
  • Place on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

What to Top Them Off With


Carnitas
Mexican Picadillo
Cochinita Pibil
Pollo Adobado

A huarache on a wooden cutting board and topped with meat and cheese.

How Long Do They Last?


Huaraches last up to 5 days in the fridge. In the freezer, they can last up to 6 months in a sealable plastic bag with all air removed.

What to serve with it?


Arroz Blanco
Refried Beans
Ensalada de Nopales
Guacamole

These are not tacos. You’ll need a fork and a knife for this one.

Easy to make and incredibly delicious. Add your favorite toppings and ENJOY!

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

A huarache on a wooden cutting board and topped with meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

Huaraches

Huaraches are tasty oval-shaped corn masa cakes. They are made with only two ingredients: masa harina and water. Top them with meat, veggies, and drizzle with your favorite salsa. A Mexican treat that can’t be beat!
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 52kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups masa harina
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (or as much needed to form the dough)
  • 1/2 tspn salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Using a large bowl, combine the masa harina, water, and salt (if using).
  • Be sure to only use the water necessary to form a small ball of dough.
  • Cover with a kitchen towel.
  • Let the masa rest for 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the griddle (or heavy skillet) to medium heat. 
  • The griddle should be hot and ready for when the huaraches are formed.
  • Open the tortilla press and add two pieces of wax paper.  
  • You can also use a cut up large gallon-size plastic bag.  
  • Uncover the masa and knead lightly for 2 minutes.
  • Form a small ball from the dough, about the size of a golf ball. 
  • Roll into the shape of a cigar.
  • Place the cigar in between the wax paper sheets.
  • Press down on the tortilla press until the dough is flat.
  • Carefully open the tortilla press and remove the oval shaped masa dough with your hand.
  • Place the dough on the hot griddle.
  • Cook for 1 minutes on each side.
  • The dough will begin to rise once it is flipped.
  • Remove from the griddle and repeat until there's no more masa.
  • Keep the huaraches warm by covering them with a kitchen towel.
  • Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

NO TORTILLA PRESS? NO PROBLEMO! Use a pie plate, casserole dish, even skillet. Anything heavy that will press down the corn dough.
Cover the dough with a kitchen towel. This will prevent it from drying out. 
Do not discard the wax paper. It can be reused several times.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

Filed Under: Side Dishes

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dennis Yannakos

    July 3, 2020 at 4:38 am

    It is amazingly tasty!
    Join me: Utensils for Cool Kitchen

    Reply
    • Patricia Ramos

      July 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      I think so too. Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  2. Sue

    November 27, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    These look so tasty! Need to try them now!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      December 14, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  3. Audrey

    November 27, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:12 am

      Indeed! Hope you try this recipe!

      Reply
  4. Emily Flint

    November 27, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    Ooooh, I can’t wait to try these. I’m so glad I have a tortilla press!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:12 am

      I love this recipe. Hope you try it!

      Reply
  5. Swathi

    November 27, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade huaraches looks delicious

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:11 am

      And they are! Hope you try this recipe!

      Reply
  6. Ramona

    November 27, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! Will make it again. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:11 am

      So good right? We love this one too

      Reply
  7. Chef Dennis

    November 28, 2020 at 2:01 am

    5 stars
    I would love to try making this Huaraches. My wife will surely love to choose her own toppings.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:10 am

      This recipe it’s amazing! Hope you try it!

      Reply
  8. Leslie

    November 28, 2020 at 8:14 am

    5 stars
    This is the Ultimate Mexican recipe!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:09 am

      Right? Hope you try it!

      Reply
  9. Alexandra

    November 28, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    5 stars
    I never knew how easy these were to make before – so delicious!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 9:09 am

      So easy and delicious! Perfect combo

      Reply
  10. Capri

    November 28, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so perfect and full of flavor! My family and I enjoyed it!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      November 30, 2020 at 8:44 am

      So glad you and your family enjoyed it!

      Reply
  11. Terry32579

    August 27, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    Always had Huaraches where there are two pressed tortillas with black beans smashed between them on then re- pressed then skillet fried- Is this a regional thing? Even in los angeles restaurants there is beans in between. example: king huaraches

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      September 3, 2021 at 9:33 am

      What you are describing are tlacoyos. Here is a link to see tlacoyos https://inmamamaggieskitchen.com/tlacoyos/

      Reply

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iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

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