my comfort recipes
♥ Log in Sign up
  • en
  • fr
  • es
  • pt
  • de
  • it
  • nl
    • 🌍 World Kitchen
    🌍 World Kitchen
    Log in Sign up
    Home / Appetizer / Salbutes

    Salbutes

    A traditional Yucatecan snack, Salbutes are thick little masa puffs fried until they balloon into airy, crisp shells.

    ⏱ 25 minPrep time
    🔥 20 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 AppetizerCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Yucatecan salbutes topped with turkey and avocado

    A traditional Yucatecan snack, Salbutes are thick little masa puffs fried until they balloon into airy, crisp shells. Unlike panuchos, they carry no bean filling — instead they are piled with escabeche turkey or chicken, shredded cabbage, tomato and avocado. They are the food of Yucatecan fiestas, made fresh by the dozen.

    Yucatán recipes →

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Stir the masa harina, salt and warm water into a soft, pliable dough that holds together without cracking.
    2. Pinch off golf-ball-sized portions and press them into thick tortillas about 3 inches (8 cm) across.
    3. Heat ½ inch (1 cm) of oil in a deep skillet until shimmering.
    4. Fry the tortillas one at a time, pressing gently with a spatula, until they puff and turn golden, about 1 minute per side.
    5. Drain on paper towels, then top each salbute with shredded turkey, cabbage, tomato and avocado.
    6. Finish with pickled onions and habanero salsa, and serve immediately.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The masa must be slightly thicker than a taco tortilla so it puffs. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel while you work so it never dries out.

    Rate this recipe

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Sign in to rate this recipe.

    Recipe details

    Prep25 min
    Cook20 min
    Servings6
    CategoryAppetizer
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

    Keep browsingYou might also like

    View all recipes →