Loukoumades – Turkish Fried Honey Puffs Recipe
Introduction
Loukoumades, also known as Turkish Lokma, are delightful golden-fried dough balls soaked in sweet syrup. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, they make a perfect treat for any occasion. This recipe shows you how to create these traditional, irresistible pastries at home.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 ml) water
- 1 pack (11 g) instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups sugar (for syrup)
- 1 1/2 cups water (for syrup)
- 3-4 drops lemon juice
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the syrup by combining 2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil on high heat for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat, add 3-4 drops of lemon juice, and set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Prepare the dough by mixing 3 1/2 cups flour, 2 cups water, instant yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Stir with a mixer or by hand until the ingredients are combined into a batter slightly thicker than cake batter.
- Step 3: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Step 4: Heat oil in a medium pot to frying temperature. To shape the loukoumades, oil a spoon and use your opposite hand to scoop some batter onto the spoon. Drop the batter carefully into the hot oil.
- Step 5: Fry the dough balls, stirring occasionally, until they are golden and crisp on all sides. Remove and immediately soak them in the prepared syrup for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently.
- Step 6: Transfer the loukoumades to a serving plate. Repeat frying and soaking with the remaining dough. Optionally, drizzle extra syrup on top and garnish with cinnamon before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle ground cinnamon or crushed walnuts over the loukoumades before serving.
- If you don’t have instant yeast, active dry yeast can be used but must be dissolved in warm water first.
- Use a candy thermometer to keep the oil at a steady 350°F (175°C) for best frying results.
- Serve loukoumades warm for the best texture and taste.
Storage
Loukoumades are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat briefly in a warm oven to restore crispness before serving. Avoid refrigeration as it will make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to prepare and fry the dough fresh after it has risen. However, you can refrigerate the risen dough for up to 12 hours and bring it back to room temperature before frying.
What oil is best for frying loukoumades?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil to achieve crispy and evenly fried loukoumades.
PrintLoukoumades – Turkish Fried Honey Puffs Recipe
Loukoumades, also known as Turkish Lokma, are delicious deep-fried dough balls soaked in a sweet syrup, creating a crispy yet tender treat. This traditional Turkish dessert features airy dough fried to golden perfection and then drizzled with a fragrant sugar syrup infused with lemon juice. Perfect for sharing, these bite-sized delights can be garnished with cinnamon for an extra touch of warmth and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 loukoumades 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cup (400 ml) water
- 1 pack (11 g) instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Syrup:
- 2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 3–4 drops lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Syrup: In a pot, combine 2 cups of sugar and 1 1/2 cups of water. Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Increase to high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for about 10 minutes until the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from heat, add 3-4 drops of lemon juice to prevent crystallization, and allow the syrup to cool.
- Make the Dough: In a mixing container, combine 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups (400 ml) water, 1 packet (11 g) instant yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Mix thoroughly with a mixer until all ingredients are well combined. The batter will be a bit thicker than cake batter but still quite loose. Cover the container with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 1 hour at room temperature to rise and become airy.
- Heat the Oil: Fill half of a medium-sized pot with frying oil and heat it until hot enough for deep frying. To test readiness, drop a small amount of batter into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.
- Fry the Loukoumades: Lightly oil a spoon to prevent sticking. Using your hands, scoop some dough with one hand and spoon it with the other, then carefully pour dollops of dough into the hot oil. Fry the dough balls evenly by stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Soak in Syrup: Remove the fried loukoumades from the oil using a slotted spoon and immediately immerse them in the cooled syrup. Stir gently and let them soak in the syrup for 2-3 minutes to absorb the sweetness.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the syrup-soaked loukoumades to a serving plate. Pour any remaining syrup over the top and optionally sprinkle ground cinnamon for added flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the syrup is fully cooled before soaking the loukoumades to avoid breaking their crispiness prematurely.
- You can use honey or a honey-lemon syrup as an alternative to the sugar syrup for a different flavor profile.
- If you don’t have instant yeast, active dry yeast can be used but must be activated in warm water before mixing.
- Using oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or sunflower oil, is recommended for frying.
- Serve loukoumades fresh, as they tend to lose their crispiness if left too long.
Keywords: Loukoumades, Turkish Lokma, Turkish Dessert, Deep Fried Dough, Sweet Syrup, Traditional Turkish Sweets
