Atole de Pinole
2
on Apr 08, 2025
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Craving a cozy, nourishing drink to warm you up from the inside out? This Atole de Pinole is a traditional Mexican beverage made with just a handful of ingredientsโperfect for chilly mornings or relaxing evenings. Creamy, lightly spiced, and naturally sweetened, itโs a beautiful way to enjoy ancient flavors with modern simplicity.
What is Atole de Pinole?
Atole is a warm and cozy Mexican drink made with masa-based flour, milk or water, sweetener, and canela (cinnamon). When itโs made with pinoleโroasted and ground cornmealโit adds a deep, earthy flavor that feels like a hug in a mug.
Pinole is not masa harina! Masa harina, such as Maseca, is just pure ground corn used for things like tortillas and tamales. Pinole is differentโitโs made from roasted corn and sometimes mixed with spices or sugar. Fun fact: the word Pinole comes from the Nรกhuatl word Pinolli, which means โflour from corn.โ
You can usually find pinole or atole mixes at your local Latin market or even order them online if needed.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
Naturally gluten-free and dairy-optional โ Perfect for many dietary needs.
Packed with tradition โ A beautiful blend of ancient Mesoamerican ingredients.
Quick to make โ Just steep, stir, and simmer.
Comforting and hearty โ Ideal as a breakfast drink or evening treat.
This cozy Mexican drink is made with simple, nourishing ingredients. Hereโs what goes into it:
- Water & Canela (Mexican Cinnamon) Stick โ The base for steeping warm cinnamon flavor into the drink.
- Pinole โ A traditional ingredient made from roasted ground corn. You can substitute mesquite flour for a slightly smokier, earthy flavor.
- Milk โ Use your favorite milk. Almond milk or other non-dairy options work well if youโre keeping it dairy-free.
- Vanilla Extract โ Adds depth and warmth to complement the cinnamon.
- Piloncillo or Brown Sugar โ Either sweetener works here; both add a caramel-like richness.
The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Optional Variations
This recipe has not been tested with all of these substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
- Add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg for extra spice.
- Use oat milk or coconut milk for a different flavor profile.
- Stir in a teaspoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
How to Make Atole de Pinole
Step 1: Steep the cinnamon tea. In a saucepan, combine water and cinnamon stick. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes to infuse the flavor.
Step 2: Dissolve the flour. Discard the cinnamon stick and turn off the heat. Stir in the pinole (or mesquite flour) until completely dissolved. Set aside.
Step 5: Finish and enjoy. Turn off the heat and serve warm. The atole will thicken slightly as it sits.
Serving & Topping Suggestions
- Serve with Mexican chocoflan, Mexican marranitos, dessert empanadas, or your favorite Mexican sweet bread.
- Top with a dusting of cinnamon or a swirl of whipped cream for indulgence.
- Enjoy as a hearty breakfast drink or comforting bedtime beverage.
Atole de Pinole Expert Tips & Tricks
Whisk constantly while heating to avoid lumps.
Strain the drink if you prefer a smoother texture.
Make ahead and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover atole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of water or milk to loosen it up if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Atole is a traditional Mexican warm drink typically made with masa harina, water or milk, and sweeteners. Variations include atole de vainilla and champurrado, both made with corn masaโone flavored with vanilla, the other with chocolate. Other types use different thickeners, such as atole de avena made with oats, or atole de chocolate, which can be thickened with masa or cornstarch. Pinole, a roasted and ground cornmeal often mixed with spices and sugar, is used in this recipe to create atole de pinole, a comforting drink with a toasty, lightly sweet flavor.
Pinole is typically made from roasted and ground maize, sometimes mixed with sugar, cinnamon, or cocoa powder.
Atole de grano is made with whole corn kernels, simmered in water with spices and thickened with masa or corn flour.
Traditional atole is made from masa harina or corn flour, milk or water, sweetener like piloncillo, and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.
More Recipes
If you tried this Atole de Pinole or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ๐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Atole de Pinole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup pinole, (or mesquite flour as a substitute)
- 3 cups milk, (almond milk works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup ground piloncillo, (or brown sugar)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the water and cinnamon stick. Let it steep for 30 minutes over low heat to infuse the flavor.2 cups water, 1 cinnamon stick
- Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Turn off the heat and stir in the mesquite flour (or pinole). Stir until completely dissolved. Set aside.1/2 cup pinole
- Add the milk, vanilla extract, and piloncillo (or brown sugar) to the pan. Heat over medium until the milk starts to boil.3 cups milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup ground piloncillo
- Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking or burning. Watch closely to prevent it from overflowing.
- Turn off the heat and serve warm. The atole will thicken as it sits, and consistency may vary depending on the type of milk used.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This atole pinole is creamy and full of unique ancient flavors.
This atole de pinole is a hug in a mug. So flavorful and cozy.