How to Make Rice Flour Pupusas: A Traditional Salvadoran Alternative

If you’ve only ever had pupusas made with corn masa, you’re missing out on a delicious, chewy, and gluten-sensitive-friendly variation: pupusas de arroz, or rice flour pupusas. While corn masa is more common today, in parts of El Salvador—especially eastern regions like San Miguel and La Unión—rice-based pupusas are a long-standing tradition.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make rice flour pupusas from scratch, including how to prepare the rice flour at home, how it differs from corn masa, and tips to master the texture, flavor, and filling balance of this lesser-known classic.

🍚 What Are Rice Flour Pupusas?

Rice pupusas use finely ground rice flour instead of corn masa. They tend to be:

• Softer and more elastic
• A little chewier than corn-based pupusas
• Slightly sweeter and milder in flavor
• Perfect for people looking for a corn alternative

They’re also naturally gluten-free—just like traditional corn pupusas—but have a different, often more delicate, texture that many Salvadorans grew up loving.

🧾 Ingredients for Rice Flour Pupusas

For the Dough:

• 2 cups homemade or store-bought rice flour
• 1½ cups hot water
• ½ tsp salt
• Optional: 1 tsp vegetable oil or melted butter for softness

For the Filling (example: cheese and beans):

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or quesillo
• ½ cup refried beans
• Optional: cooked chicharrón, chicken, or loroco

🔬 How to Make Rice Flour at Home (Traditional Salvadoran Method)

If you want to do it the authentic way, here’s how to make fresh rice flour for pupusas:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white rice (long-grain is best)
• Water for soaking

Steps:

1. Soak the rice
   • Place rice in a bowl and cover with water
   • Let it soak for 6–12 hours or overnight
2. Drain and rinse
   • Drain the water and give the rice a quick rinse
   • Let it sit for a few minutes to remove excess water (it should still be damp)
3. Grind the rice
   • Use a wet grinder, high-speed blender, or food processor
   • Blend until the texture is fine and smooth, like cornstarch
4. Dry the flour (optional)
   • If storing, you can dry it out in the sun or a low oven (150°F for 30 minutes)
   • Store in an airtight container

✅ This homemade rice flour creates a superior texture that’s softer and more pliable than store-bought options.

🔄 Shortcut Option: Store-Bought Rice Flour

If you’re in a hurry, you can use:

• Bob’s Red Mill White Rice Flour
• Thai rice flour (if fine-ground)
• Asian or Latin stores often carry varieties suitable for pupusas

Make sure it’s not sweet rice flour or glutinous rice flour, which has a different texture.

🫓 Making the Dough

1. In a bowl, combine:
   • 2 cups rice flour
   • ½ tsp salt
   • 1½ cups hot water (just below boiling)
2. Stir with a spoon until it cools slightly
3. Knead gently with hands until the dough becomes soft and pliable
4. If too dry, add water 1 tbsp at a time
5. If too sticky, add a sprinkle of extra flour

✅ Rice flour dough should feel smooth and a little more elastic than corn masa.

🧀 Filling and Shaping the Pupusas

1. Wet your hands with warm water or oil
2. Take a golf ball-sized portion of dough
3. Flatten into a disc
4. Add 1–2 tablespoons of filling (beans, cheese, pork, or vegetables)
5. Seal and flatten gently

Rice flour dough is a bit more delicate, so don’t overstuff or force the edges too thin.

🔥 Cooking Rice Pupusas

1. Heat a dry comal, skillet, or griddle over medium heat
2. Place pupusas and cook for 3–4 minutes per side
3. Look for light browning and a slightly chewy texture

Flip once and allow the dough to cook through fully. Some cheese may ooze—embrace it!

🥗 Serving Suggestions

Just like corn pupusas, rice pupusas are best with:

• Curtido – tangy cabbage slaw
• Salsa Roja – tomato-based, slightly spicy sauce
• Pickled vegetables or avocado slices for extra richness

🌟 Flavor Tips

• Add chopped herbs like cilantro or epazote into the rice dough
• Use ricotta and spinach for a softer, milder filling
• For sweet pupusas, try rice dough + mashed plantain + cinnamon sugar

🧊 Freezing and Reheating

• Freeze uncooked pupusas with parchment between each layer
• Cook directly from frozen on a slightly lower heat
• Reheat cooked pupusas on a skillet or air fryer for crispness