Easiest Loukoumades Recipe (Greek Donuts)
If you’re a fan of sweet, bite-sized treats, then this Loukoumades recipe (Greek Donuts) is for you! These delicious Greek doughnuts are crispy, fluffy inside, and drenched in sweet honey and chopped nuts!
Loukoumades or Greek Honey Balls are one of the most special Greek dishes out there, in fact, they were served to the winners of the first Olympic games in 776 BC. That’s just how special they truly are!
But don’t worry, loukoumades are incredibly simple to make that you’ll have to fight the urge to make them every single day! Perfect to have as a snack or a dessert for your friends and family. Trust me, once you try this authentic Greek Donuts (Loukoumades) you’ll want to make it again and again!
❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Easy to make: Loukoumades don’t require any fancy techniques or difficult-to-find ingredients. With a few basic steps and everyday ingredients like all-purpose flour, sugar, and yeast, you’ll have a bowl of delicious, homemade loukoumades in no time.
Family-favorite: These Greek Donuts are a hit with both kids and adults alike. The combination of fluffy dough, sweet honey, and crunchy pistachios is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Versatile: Loukoumades recipe is easily adaptable to suit your preferences. Don’t like pistachios? Swap them out for your favorite nuts. Prefer simple syrup over honey? Go right ahead. This versatility means you can make these loukoumades exactly how you like them.
Delicious: Let’s not forget the most important factor – taste! These loukoumades are simply irresistible. The sweet, fluffy interior contrasted with the crispy, golden exterior, drizzled in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and pistachios. It’s a combination that’s hard to beat.
Crowd pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just a casual get-together, these loukoumades (Greek donuts) will surely be a hit. They’re perfect for serving as a dessert or snack, and their bite-sized nature makes them ideal for sharing.
🍊 INGREDIENTS
More details about the ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below!
For the Dough:
All-purpose flour: This is the main ingredient for the dough. It gives the loukoumades their structure and texture.
Warm water and warm milk: These are the liquids that will activate the yeast and help the dough rise, providing the soft and fluffy texture of the loukoumades.
Sugar: This ingredient not only sweetens the dough but also helps to brown the loukoumades when they are fried.
Dry yeast: This is a key ingredient for making the dough rise, creating the airy and fluffy texture that is characteristic of (Greek Donuts) loukoumades.
For the Garnish:
Honey: This is the traditional topping for loukoumades. It gives them their characteristic sweetness and shine. If preferred, simple syrup can be used as an alternative.
Cinnamon powder: This spice adds a warm and comforting flavor to the loukoumades. Its quantity can be adjusted according to personal preference.
Crushed pistachios: These add a nice crunch and color contrast to the soft and golden Greek honey balls. Feel free to use other nuts if you prefer.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE LOUKOUMADES
Step 1
Prepare the Dough: Mix the water, milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add the oil and stir for a few seconds. Proceed to add the flour and salt, mixing everything until no lumps are visible in the dough.
Step 2
Let the dough rise: Cover the dough and leave it for about an hour or until it doubles in size. After it has risen, uncover the dough and stir it using a fork for a few seconds.
Step 3
Prepare for frying: Heat enough oil in a medium pan to fry the loukoumades. Place a small bowl with oil on the kitchen counter close to the batter. Dip a tablespoon in cool oil and remove excess oil.
Step 4
Fry the loukoumades: Dip your hand in the batter and grab a small amount from it. Squeeze out a small portion of the batter between your thumb and index finger. Scoop out the batter using the greased spoon and drop it gently in the hot oil.
Step 5
Finish the rest of the batter: Repeat this step several times, but do not crowd the pan. Turn them in the oil until they achieve a dark golden color from all sides. When done, place them in a strainer.
Step 6
Garnish the loukoumades: Sprinkle cinnamon over the loukoumades and flip them to distribute the cinnamon powder evenly. Drizzle a tablespoon of honey over them and flip them again.
Step 7
Serve the loukoumades: Before serving, pour more honey on the loukoumades and sprinkle with crushed pistachios. Enjoy your homemade loukoumades!
👩🏽🍳 PRO TIPS
Proof the yeast correctly: Ensure to mix the yeast with warm milk and water for it to activate properly. This step is crucial for the dough to rise and give the loukoumades their fluffy texture.
Remove lumps from the dough: Mix the dough thoroughly until no lumps are visible. A smooth dough will result in perfect, even-textured loukoumades.
Give the dough enough resting time: Cover the dough and let it rest for an hour or until it doubles in size. This will ensure that your loukoumades are light and fluffy.
Use the right frying technique: When frying the loukoumades, use a greased spoon to scoop out the batter and drop it gently into the hot oil. This will help the loukoumades maintain their round shape and cook evenly.
Turn the loukoumades in the oil: Make sure to turn the loukoumades in the oil for them to get a dark golden color from all sides. This will ensure they are crispy and cooked evenly.
Enjoy them fresh: Like many fried pastries, these loukoumades are best consumed fresh. They do not store well, so make sure to serve them right away for the best taste and texture.
📋 VARIATIONS
Try it with Nutella: If you’re a fan of chocolate, this variation is for you. Simply drizzle some warm Nutella over your freshly made loukoumades. The combination of the warm, crispy dough and the creamy, rich Nutella is simply irresistible.
Try it with maple syrup: For a Canadian twist, replace the honey with maple syrup. The unique flavor of the maple syrup will add a new dimension to your loukoumades, making them even more delicious.
Try it with powdered sugar: For a snow-like effect and an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle some powdered sugar over your loukoumades instead of honey. The sugar will melt into the warm loukoumades creating a sweet glaze that’s hard to resist.
🍽️ HOW TO SERVE
- Start your day on a sweet note by serving these delicious Loukoumades with a hot cup of coffee. The bitterness of the coffee perfectly complements the sweetness of the honey-soaked donut holes.
- For a fun dessert idea, try serving your Loukoumades with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold, creamy texture of the ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm, crispy Loukoumades.
- Want to experiment a bit? Drizzle some dark chocolate sauce over your Greek Donuts and sprinkle some sea salt on top. The combination of sweet and salty will taste incredible!
- For those who prefer a more traditional approach, simply serve your Loukoumades with a generous drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon powder, and some crushed pistachios. It’s a classic combination that never fails to impress!
💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Loukoumades are the Greek version of donuts or more like donut holes. They are small, fluffy, sweet honey balls that are deep-fried until they are golden and crispy.
To help the dough rise faster, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then cover it with a thick cloth. This method is particularly useful if you live in a cold place.
🌡️ STORING
Refrigerate: While Loukoumades are best eaten fresh, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator. Place the Loukoumades in an airtight container, and they should last for up to a day.
Reheat Instructions: To reheat your Loukoumades, place them in a preheated oven at a low temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as they can become overly dry or tough. Just warm them enough to bring back that wonderful fluffy texture.
Freeze: Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Loukoumades, they don’t freeze well.
📣 MORE MEDITERRANEAN RECIPES
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- Barazek sesame Crunchy Cookies.
- Knafeh with Ishtah Recipe.
- Umm Ali Middle Eastern Bread Pudding.
- Khanfaroosh Moist Mini Arabian Cakes.
⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Loukoumades Recipe (Greek Donuts)
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon warm water
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon warm milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
To garnish
- Honey
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder add more if you like cinnamon
- ¼ cup Crushed pistachios
To fry the loukoumades
- Cooking oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the water, milk, sugar, and yeast, mix well. Add the oil and mix for a few seconds.
- Add the flour and salt and mix the ingredients well and until no lumps are visible in the dough.
- Cover the dough for an hour or until it doubles in size.
- Uncover the dough and mix it using a fork for a few seconds.
- Heat enough oil to fry the loukoumades in a medium pan.
- Place a small bowl with oil on the kitchen counter close to the batter. Dip a tablespoon in cool oil, remove excess oil. Dip your hand in the batter and grab a small amount from it. Squeeze out a small portion from the batter between your thumb and index finger. Scoop out the batter using the greased spoon, drop it gently in the hot oil. Repeat this step several times but do not crown the pan.
- Push the loukoumades in the oil and turn them to get dark golden color from all the sides. When done place them in a strainer.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over the loukoumades and flip them to distribute the cinnamon powder evenly. Pour a tablespoon of honey over them and flip them again as shown in the video.
- Before serving the loukoumades, pour more honey and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
Video
Notes
- Like many fried pastries, these Loukoumades are best consumed fresh. They do not store well.
- Instead of pistachios, you can go for the nuts you prefer.
- You can help the dough to rise faster by covering the bowl with plastic wrap and then covering it with a thick cloth if you live in a cold place.
- Simple syrup can replace honey.
Delicious! This is my go to recipe from now on 😊