Italian Fried Dough Recipe (Zeppole)

Italian fried dough on a cooling rack with powdered sugar on top and one of the donut holes cut in half to see the airy puffed up inside.

Learn how to make delicious Italian zeppole, a fried dough dessert topped with sugar and enjoyed throughout Italy for festivals. This traditional recipe is made with a sweet dough that is fried in olive oil until golden brown with a pillowy soft inside. It is perfect for special occasions or anytime you're craving a sweet treat Italian style.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Dessert, holidays

Cuisine Italian

Servings donut holes

Calories 94 kcal

Ingredients

Fried dough

1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup granulated sugar
powdered sugar for dusting optional

Instructions

In a medium saucepan on the stovetop add the water, sugar, salt and butter and melt over medium heat.
¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ cup water
Add the flour to the mixture and mix until it forms a thick dough ball when stirring.
1 cup all-purpose flour
Remove this from the heat and add the dough ball to a large bowl then mix in the vanilla then the eggs one at a time until the dough is smooth.
4 large eggs, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large deep bottom pan, add enough oil to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil until it reaches 375 degrees.
Carefully, drop in small teaspoon-sized portions of dough into the hot oil. Try to only do a few at a time so they cook evenly.
Place the cooked donuts onto paper towels to drain any excess oil.
On a small plate, add the cinnamon and sugar and mix well.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ cup granulated sugar
Now roll the slightly cooled donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Enjoy right away, dust with powdered sugar for a nice presentation.
powdered sugar for dusting

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 148IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

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