Today, I’m going to show you how to make this easy gorditas recipe with Maseca (also known as masa harina or instant corn masa flour). Gorditas are an easy recipe that you can make in just 30 minutes! Make some delicious gorditas de chicharron by stuffing the gorditas with these pork cracklins in a green salsa.
Why You’ll Love These Gorditas
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Naturally gluten free
- Budget friendly
- Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
- Great way to use up leftovers
- Crispy outside and soft inside
If you love hearty and authentic Mexican food, you’ll definitely want to check out my recipes for carne asada or homemade flour tortillas too!”

Gorditas are made from corn masa flour which is also what corn tortillas are made from.
However, gorditas are made a little thicker than tortillas because they are opened up and stuffed with delicious fillings.
Gorditas are very similar to pupusas and arepas.
You can read about the similarities and differences of the three here.
There are so many different ways to make gorditas. Some cook them on a skillet instead of frying.
I like them fried because well, what isn’t better fried?
What can you fill gorditas with?
There are so many delicious ways to fill gorditas, which is what makes them so versatile.
For breakfast gorditas, try:
• Chorizo and eggs
• Ham and eggs
• Huevos con salchicha
For lunch or dinner, gorditas are perfect for using leftovers like:
• Carnitas
• Barbacoa
• Carne asada
• Mexican pinto beans
You can even fill them with tuna salad or Mexican chicken salad for a quick and easy meal.
There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing what to fill gorditas with. For breakfast gorditas, fill them with chorizo and eggs, ham and eggs or huevos con salchicha (eggs and hot dogs).
For dinner, they can be filled with yummy leftovers such as carnitas or barbacoa.
How to make gorditas with Maseca
You need a bag of Maseca or another brand of masa harina.
I used the yellow one because I think the flavor is better.
But you can totally use the regular white bag if you prefer.
In a large bowl add two cups of maseca, half a teaspoon of salt and 1 3/4 cup of water. With your hand mix everything together thoroughly.

One the dough is mixed well roll it into about 8 or 9 equal sized balls.

In order to flatten the balls you can use a tortilla press or a heavy bottomed pot.
What I did this time was cut the sides of a ziploc bag and put the masa ball in it. Then I used a pot to flatten it.
Don’t flatten it to much. It shouldn’t be as thin as a tortilla. They’re called gorditas because they’re thicker.

In a cast iron skillet heat up enough oil for frying. Once hot fry the gorditas one at a time.
The gorditas will begin to puff after about a minute. Fry the other side until it turns a nice golden color.

Once fried transfer them to a paper towel lined sheet to drain.
Let them cool enough so that you don’t burn yourself when you hold them.
Once they’ve cooled down cut them open down the middle with a knife.
You have to be very careful when doing this or you could tear them open.
Now fill them with your favorite filling! The one below is filled with leftover pinto beans.
The others are filled with a delicious spicy tuna filling that I also used for these tuna tacos!

What else can you make with masa harina?
Masa harina is a staple in my kitchen. I’m never without it.
It is used to make many different delicious foods and even beverages.
Some of my favorite Maseca recipes include masa dumplings, picaditas and strawberry atole.
If you enjoy these gorditas, you might also love my pupusas de queso or my Mexican pinto beans to use as a filling.
Gorditas are also great for meal prep because you can make a batch and stuff them differently throughout the week.
Maseca gorditas (Gorditas de Maseca)
This super easy gorditas recipe with Maseca is an excellent way to transform leftover potatoes or shredded meat into a new dish.
I hope you give this recipe a try and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Let me know what you think of it in the comments below.
Subscribe to me on youtube to see more delicious recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook gorditas without frying them?
Yes. You can cook them on a dry skillet instead of frying. They won’t puff as much, but they will still be delicious.
Why didn’t my gorditas puff up?
The oil may not have been hot enough, or the gorditas were too thin.
Can I make gorditas ahead of time?
Yes. Cook them first, then reheat and stuff before serving.
Are gorditas gluten free?
Yes. Gorditas made with masa harina are naturally gluten free.


Gorditas Recipe with Maseca
Gorditas are the perfect way to transform leftovers such as beans, chicken and much more!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Maseca
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cup water
Instructions
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In a large bowl combine the Maseca, salt and water. Mix together thoroughly with hands.
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Form the dough into about 8 or 9 equal sized balls.
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Flatten the balls one at a time using a tortilla press or a heavy bottomed pot and 2 squares of plastic such as a ziploc bag cut down the sides. Don’t flatten too much. It should be thicker than a tortilla.
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Heat up enough oil for frying in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot fry the gorditas one at a time. Once the gordita puffs turn to the other side and continue to fry until it turns a nice golden color.
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Transfer fried gorditas to a paper towel lined sheet to drain.
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Let gorditas cool for about 5 minutes or so until they are cool enough to touch without burning yourself.
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Very carefully open the gorditas in the middle with a knife. Carefully stuff with the filling of your choosing.
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Serve and enjoy!
Elsie
Sunday 15th of June 2025
Hi! My gorditas did not puff up. What could have gone wrong? I did follow your recipe.
Debbie Toscano
Wednesday 30th of August 2023
Love this recipe trying it for the first timesimple and easy
Carissa
Friday 29th of September 2023
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Irma Tamez
Monday 4th of April 2022
I want a recipe for gorditas de Manteca using fresh corn masa,not masa harina!
Danielle perez
Friday 3rd of December 2021
Excited to give this a try.
Angela Rodriguez
Tuesday 16th of November 2021
Awesome thank you!