• Home
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact Kate Ramos
  • About ¡Hola! Jalapeño
  • Margarita Week

¡HOLA! JALAPEÑO

Breakfast, Comida Latina, Dairy Free, Drinks, Fiesta, Recipes

Vegan Atole {Warm Cinnamon and Corn Drink}

March 3, 2021
How to make Atole at home! This warm Mexican drink combines cinnamon, piloncillo, and masa harina for a creamy warming cup of comfort. Use plant-based milk for a vegan alternative. Great for breakfast, a snack, or lovely way to wind down at the end of the day. #atole #veganrecipe #Mexicanatole #glutenfreerecipe
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
  • Share
  • Tweet
A blue mug filled with atole with a cinnamon stick sticking off to one side sitting on a wood table with a small plate of oranges behind it.

How to make Atole at home! This warm Mexican drink combines cinnamon, piloncillo, and masa harina for a creamy warming cup of comfort. Use plant-based milk for a vegan alternative. Great for breakfast, a snack, or lovely way to wind down at the end of the day.


This time of year can be tough on a lot of us.

The continuing cold weather, the long gray days, the brown sludge of it all.

Here in Southern California the weather is pretty lovely all the time, but my years and years of living in cold climates has left a lasting memory of how tough the end of February and beginning of March can be.

Even if we aren’t suffering from winter fatigue, pandemic fatigue is prevalent everywhere.

Which is why this is the perfect time for a hug in a mug: a warm, creamy cup of Mexican atole.

A girl and a dog sitting on a rug on the floor. The girl has a blanket wrapped around her and is holding a mug of atole.

what is atole?

In the US when we need a bit of coziness we turn to a steaming cup of hot cocoa. In Mexico and Central America, its atole that soothes the soul.

Atole (pronounced ah-TOL-eh) at it’s most basic, is a warm drink made of ground field corn.

Corn atoles have been enjoyed for thousands of years and there are lots of flavor variations from Mexican chocolate atole, called Champurrado, to fruit atoles, to ones sweetened with vanilla extract to even Atole de Galleta María, flavored with crushed vanilla cookies.

Atole is popular during the chilly winter holidays like Day of the Dead and Christmas and most commonly served with sweet tamales for dessert.

A black book with gold lettering and design sitting on a wood table. The title of the book is Beverages of Oaxaca by Salvador Cueva and Ricardo Bonilla.

If you are interested in learning more about Atoles and other Mexican drinks, I highly recommend the book Beverages of Oaxaca by Salvador Cueva and Ricardo Bonilla.

It is a fascinating look at the traditional beverages made and enjoyed in this part of Mexico and features several atole recipes.

Ingredients to make atole on a wood table, including, masa harina, piloncillo, canela, and a large red pot with milk and a whisk in ti.

what you’ll need to make this atole recipe

Traditionally, atole is made by simmering dried field corn (the nutrient-dense type of corn used to make tortillas, pozole, tamales, etc.) in water, then grinding that corn.

This finely ground corn then gets simmered with water and other flavorings to make a creamy, rich drink.

We are going to make a much simpler version by using masa harina instead of the whole corn and flavor it with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Plant-Based Milk. To make a nice creamy base (but keep it vegan) we are going to use a plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk mixed with water.

If you want to use regular whole milk that works too.

Cones of piloncillo, a raw cane sugar, in a large Mason jar with the lid off sitting on a wood table next to some sticks of cinnamon.

Piloncillo. Piloncillo is raw cane sugar that is formed into cone shapes. Look for the smaller 1/2 ounce cones at your local Latin market so you can add them whole to the atole.

Grating or chopping Piloncillo is nearly impossible. You can also substitute dark brown sugar is you can’t find it.

For more information about authentic Mexican ingredients, check out my Mexican Pantry Guide.

Canela. Canela are long sticks of Ceylon cinnamon. They are more floral and fragrant than Cassia cinnamon sticks which are more common.

Look for canela in the produce section of Latin markets. Use Cassia cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon as a substitute.

Masa Harina. Finely ground corn flour used to make tortillas, tamales, and more. This is widely available in almost any grocery store now. It is not the same as cornmeal or corn starch.

Kosher Salt. Just a bit to bring out the corn flavor.

A girl in a pink sweater with a blanket wrapped around her holding a blue mug filled with atole and a cinnamon stick sitting in the mug.

how to make it!

This is a very easy version that can be made in under 10 minutes. Here’s how:

  1. In a large saucepan combine almond milk, water, piloncillo, and canela. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
  2. Reduce heat so the milk mixture is just simmering, and whisk to dissolve the piloncillo.
  3. Add masa harina a little at a time while whisking constantly. Continue whisking a minute or two until the atole is starting to thicken.
  4. Remove from heat and ladle into mugs.
  5. You can strain the atole if you want to get rid of the canela pieces or the masa harina has formed any lumps.
A blue mug of atole with a cinnamon stick in it and a hand holding the handle of the mug.

when to enjoy atole

Anytime!

No seriously, this hot corn drink is delicious whenever you need a pick-me-up but I really love it like Bricia Lopez suggested in her book, Oaxaca, with a shot of espresso for breakfast.

This recipe makes 4-6 cups so I like to make a batch on Sunday. Have a cup right away then let the mixture cool and stick in the refrigerator. All I have to do is warm some up whenever the urge hits.

The atole will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.

A mug of atole with a cinnamon stick sticking in the mug sitting on a wood table with a small plate of oranges behind it.

more alcohol-free mexican drinks to try!

  • Agua de Limón (Lime Agua Fresca)
  • Toasted Coconut Cold Brew Horchata
  • Strawberry Mandarin Agua Fresca
  • Sunrise Smoothie
  • Ginger Cardamom Rompope
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Pink Chia Lemonade

keep calm and cozy

Ready to try a comforting cup of atole? When you do please let me know by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating) !

Print

Vegan Atole {Warm Cinnamon and Corn Drink}

A mug of atole with a cinnamon stick sticking in the mug sitting on a wood table with a small plate of oranges behind it.

How to make Atole at home! This warm Mexican drink combines cinnamon, piloncillo, and masa harina for a creamy warming cup of comfort. Use plant-based milk for a vegan alternative. Great for breakfast, a snack, or lovely way to wind down at the end of the day. 

  • Author: Kate Ramos
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: drink
  • Method: simmer
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups plant-based milk (like almond, coconut, or soy)

4 cups water

5 (1/2-ounce) cones piloncillo or a packed 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar

3 sticks canela or cassia cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup masa harina

Instructions

Simmer milk mixture. Combine milk, water, piloncillo, canela, and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and whisk to dissolve piloncillo. 

Add masa harina. Slowly add masa harina while whisking constantly with a wire whisk. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth and has thickened slightly, about 2-3 minutes. 

Enjoy! Ladle into mugs and enjoy. 

Notes

If atole is lumpy or you’d like to get rid of the canela pieces, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer before drinking. 

Keywords: atole

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @holajalapeno on Instagram and hashtag it #holajalapeno

In support of this small business, ¡Hola! Jalapeño earns revenue in a few different ways. Several sponsored posts are published each month. I also earn an affiliate commission on the sales of products I link to— there are a few of those links in this post. I only feature items I genuinely love and personally use on a regular basis. This commission is an arrangement between the retailer and ¡Hola! Jalapeño (readers never pay more for products). This income allows me to run the site. Thank you for reading!

You Might Also Like

  • Agua de Limón {Lime Agua Fresca} Recipe
  • Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe
  • This Cilantro-Lime Corn, steamed and covered in cilantro butter and cotija, is the perfect summer side dish from Katie Sullivan Morford's new book, Prep. #sweetcorn #streetcorn #cornonthecob #Mexicanstreetcorn
    Cilantro-Lime Corn
  • Pumpkin-Cinnamon Chip Cookies
ChristmasDia de los Muertosgluten-freelas posadasPlant Powered Mexicanvegan
Kate Ramos
Kate Ramos

 

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Calabacitas Recipe {Cheesy Mexican Zucchini}
Next Post
Papas con Chile {Crispy Potatoes in Red Sauce}

Celebrating Mexican flavors with healthy, simple recipes from my California kitchen.

Welcome to ¡Hola! Jalapeño

Welcome to ¡Hola! Jalapeño

¡Hola! I'm Kate Ramos. Mama of two. Iowa girl married to a Mexican-American man living in California. Here's what I love: my family, Mexican flavors, and creating great recipes that celebrate our SoCal life! I'm so happy you're here.

Subscribe & Follow

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Sign Up Now

Search

Popular Posts

  • Mexican Shredded Beef for tacos, gorditas, tostadas, and more! With stove top, slow cooker, and Instant Pot instructions included. #shreddedbeef #beeffortacos #Mexicanshreddedbeef #beeftacos

    Shredded Beef For Tacos {Carne Deshebrada}

    September 15, 2020
  • Two bowls of Green Tomato Chili on a marble table top with a spoon in the first bowl.

    Green Tomato Recipes! Tangy Green Tomato Chili

    May 22, 2020
  • A spicy Pozole Verde that just so happens to be vegan. Made with green chiles, jalapeños, pinto beans and hominy. One of my favorite Mexican dinner ideas! #sponsored #holajalapeno #pozole #vegan

    How To Make Green Chile Vegan Pozole

    October 4, 2019
  • Can of open chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

    17 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce Recipes

    January 24, 2018
  • Crock pot with frijoles borrachos and cilantro.

    Crock Pot Borracho Beans {Frijoles Borrachos}

    May 11, 2016

¡HOLA! JALAPENO ON Pinterest

  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal
  • Easter dinner can mean much more than glazed ham and hot cross buns. If you are looking to try something new or entertaining a smaller crowd, here are a few great Easter dinner ideas! Mix and match for a complete menu with everything from appetizers to desserts! #easterdinner #easterrecipes #easterappetizers #eastermeal

Featured On

Find me on Instagram – @holajalapeno

View on Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

@2020 ¡HOLA! JALAPEÑO - PRIVACY POLICY

Back to top
  • 3