Tortitas de Calabaza are a beloved Mexican dish made from mashed pumpkin or squash, shaped into small patties and pan-fried until golden brown. Slightly sweet and deeply comforting, these fritters bring warmth and nostalgia to the table. Whether served as a snack, breakfast, side dish, or light dessert, Tortitas de Calabaza capture the earthy sweetness of calabaza (Mexican squash) in every bite.
Traditionally made during the fall and winter months, especially around Día de los Muertos or Lent, these fritters are a celebration of seasonal produce. The pumpkin or squash is typically cooked down and mashed into a smooth purée, then mixed with ingredients like eggs, flour, a touch of sugar, and warm spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. The result is a batter that turns into soft, pillowy cakes with a slightly crisp exterior when fried in a bit of oil.
What makes Tortitas de Calabaza so delightful is their simplicity and versatility. Some versions lean more savory, pairing the pumpkin with cheese or herbs, while others embrace the natural sweetness of the squash and are dusted with cinnamon sugar or drizzled with syrup. Either way, these little patties are satisfying and wholesome, often evoking memories of family kitchens and traditional cooking.
They’re also easy to adapt-swap calabaza for butternut squash or even canned pumpkin if needed. Add a bit of vanilla or orange zest to enhance the flavor, or enjoy them with a hot drink like atole or café de olla for the ultimate cozy experience.
Tortitas de Calabaza are more than just fritters, they’re a taste of heritage. In every bite, you get a sense of home, tradition, and the joy of making something comforting from simple ingredients.
This recipe is made by Sarahi Lacen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pancake mix just add water
- 1 cup pumpkin boiled
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the pancake mix with the sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Add the smashed pumpkin and mix all the ingredients together. The mixture will be a bit drier than regular pancake mix.
- Use a big spoon to place the mix on a frying pan covered with butter at medium heat.
- Cook on one side, then turn the pancake to the other side.
- Flip a couple of times to ensure it cooks thoroughly.
- Enjoy!
Um, are these really pancakes? More like weird blobs…
I don’t like pumpkin, but my husband loved these. He said it tastes like autumn! 😂
Yummy! My kids loved them! They didn’t even guess there was pumpkin in it!
That’s awesome! I’m glad your kids loved it. Sneaking in veggies is the best! 😊
Pumpkin in pancakes? Sounds weird. Is it really that good? 🤔
These turned out amazing! So fluffy and tasty! Definitely making them again!
I’m glad to hear they turned out great! I love the fluffiness too! Can’t wait to try this!
Tasty! I didn’t use butter, just a non-stick pan. It worked fine. =)
I was skeptical about using pumpkin, but wow! They’re awesome!
I think cinnamon is overrated, but these were decent. I’d probably eat them if someone made them for me.
I guess they’re okay without cinnamon, but like, what’s a pumpkin dish without it? Just seems… weird. But if you like them that way, who am I to judge?
I can’t believe you think cinnamon is overrated! It adds so much flavor to everything, especially in fall recipes like these. But hey, to each their own! Just brings more for us cinnamon lovers, right?
I love that this uses pancake mix! So easy and quick!
Never thought of using pumpkin in pancakes. But wow, I’m sold! Even my kids loved them!
Yummy! I added some walnuts and it gave it a nice crunch. Will definitely make again.
Cinnamon is too much in this one… made it taste funny.
Wow, this recipe is super easy! My kids loved them! Thanks for sharing!
I would give it a 1 because I burned mine 🤦♂️ but that’s my fault, not the recipe. It smells good!
I made these for breakfast but they taste more like dessert… not complaining though!
Too sweet for my taste. I would reduce the sugar next time.
Yum! Perfect for fall vibes! 🍂 Just what I needed as the leaves change!
Not that great, didn’t rise like normal pancakes. 🙁
I will try this recipe but I think pancakes gotta have eggs for the fluffiness.
These are amazing! So fluffy and full of flavor. A great twist on regular pancakes!
Delicious! Also, I used cinnamon sugar instead and they were even better!
Cinnamon sugar sounds yummy! I gotta try that next time. Thanks for the tip!
I made these for breakfast and my kids loved them! Will make again!
I don’t know… the texture was kinda weird. Maybe I did it wrong? 🤔
Kinda bland tbh. Wouldn’t make again. Maybe too much sugar? Who knows.
I dunno, they were great! Maybe you just cooked them wrong? 🤷♂️
I actually loved them! Maybe try less sugar next time? It could help with the blandness!
Why would you use pumpkin? Don’t get it, no offense.
Pumpkin adds a great flavor and sweetness! It’s a nice twist on regular pancakes. You should give it a try!
I dunno, pumpkin seems weird for pancakes. Don’t you want like, chocolate chips or something instead?
I tried these for breakfast and they turned out way too dry. I think I need to add more water next time… or maybe I did something wrong?
These tortitas are amazing! I can’t believe how good they turned out. Perfect for fall breakfasts!
Sounds good but what if I don’t like pumpkin? Can I use something else instead?
I totally agree! These tortitas are like a warm hug on a plate. Perfectly cozy for chilly mornings! 🍂
I don’t know if I did something wrong, but mine came out way too dry. Maybe I needed more pumpkin?
These are the best pancakes! So fluffy and yummy!
Soo good! But what’s with the water? Just add water didn’t work for me. Gonna try with milk next time.
Tortitas? I thought these were pancakes? Lol. Anyway, they were delicious.