Traditional Greek Loukoumades Recipe
Loukoumades are delightful Greek honey puffs, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These bite-sized treats are drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Plastic Wrap or Clean Cloth
- Deep Pot or Frying Pan
- Slotted spoon or tongs
- Paper towels
- Plate or serving dish
- Small Ice Cream Scoop or Spoons
- Kitchen Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
- Greek honey (to taste)
- Ground cinnamon (to taste)
- Chopped nuts (optional)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
- Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water to the dry ingredients while stirring continuously. Mix until a smooth batter is formed.
- Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This allows the yeast to activate and the dough to rise.
- In a deep pot or frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. The oil should be deep enough to fully submerge the Loukoumades while frying.
- Heat the oil to a temperature of approximately 350°F (180°C). You can test the readiness of the oil by dropping a small piece of dough into it – if it sizzles and floats to the top, the oil is ready for frying.
- Once the dough has risen, give it a gentle stir to deflate it slightly.
- Using a spoon or a small ice cream scoop, carefully drop small portions of the dough into the hot oil. You can shape them into small balls using two spoons or wetting your hands with water to prevent sticking.
- Fry the Loukoumades until they turn golden brown, flipping them occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried Loukoumades from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drain.
- Transfer the fried Loukoumades to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining oil.
- While still warm, drizzle the Loukoumades generously with Greek honey, allowing it to soak into the nooks and crannies.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the Loukoumades to add a warm and aromatic flavour.
- For additional variations, you can also sprinkle them with chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, or garnish with sesame seeds for added texture and taste.