Greek
Loukoumades (Greek Donuts)
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Yield
12 -16 donuts
Loukoumades are a fried Greek donut that are so delicious. They are not too sweet, and can be personalized with your fav toppings.
Picture donut holes or Timbits but like 100 times better. These loukoumades are the Greek’s take on a delicious donut bite. They are fried honey puffs and sweet, have a bit of a crunch, and seriously it’s so hard just to eat one.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Loukoumades
- Quick: You can make these donuts in just 30 minutes, and then you let them rest before they’re ready to devour
- Bit-Size: I love a good treat that I can pop in my mouth in one bit, your kids will love these too
- Customizable: Sprinkle the top with icing sugar, nuts, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of chocolate
🍲 Ingredients
Active Dry Yeast – It’s important to always use the right yeast in baking to ensure your dish turns out correctly. Active dry yeast describes a yeast that will need to be activated before you use it, follow the package directions to do so. Instant dry yeast is ready to use right out of the package without any additional steps.
Whole Milk – Using whole milk in this recipe provides the right consistency. I know it’s not something most of us keep in the fridge, but trust me on this one.
👩🍳 How to Make Loukoumades
- Add the warm water (temperature should be very warm to the touch but not too hot that you can’t hold a finger in the water for a few seconds), sugar and yeast to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine and then let sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and foamy.
- Add the warm milk (temperature should be very warm to the touch but not too hot that you can’t hold a finger in the water for a few seconds), all of the flour, salt and all of the olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon fairly vigorously until combined, about 2 minutes, until a sticky / smooth batter forms.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise for at least an hour, until the dough has doubled in size.
- Layer a plate with paper towel for the donuts once cooked and set aside.
- After the dough has risen, in a high sided medium-sized pot, fill about half way with oil. Heat on medium heat until hot – you can test how hot the oil is by putting in a small pinch of dough and if it starts to sizzle the oil is ready.
- Oil your hands or a spoon / small scoop and use them to scoop out about 1 tbsp of dough per donut and roll into a ball using your hands. Add each donut to the hot oil, you can fry 3-5 at a time. Fry for 2-3 minutes total, flipping the donuts every 30 seconds – 1 minutes until they are a deep golden brown on each side.
- Remove the cooked donuts with a slotted spoon to the paper towel lined baking sheet or plate and continue to cook donuts in baches until all of the dough is used.
- Serve the donuts drizzled with honey and cinnamon.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Other topping options for the donuts include: Nutella, chopped walnuts, chopped pistachios, or icing sugar
- If you love this Greek baking recipe, check out our Baklava Recipe or Pita Recipe with savory and sweet filling options
🗒 Variations
- Drizzle your donuts with Nutella, peanut, or other nut butter, or even swap the honey for maple syrup
- Add chopped pistachios, pecans, or your favorite nut on the outside
- Sprinkle the donuts with icing sugar or sprinkles
🗒 Best served with
- A glass of milk, coffee or tea for dipping
- Your favorite fruit salad like this recipe
👝 How to Store Leftovers
They are so good when they are fresh, but they are also good for the next few days to follow. Just store in an airtight container and leave the drizzle of honey and cinnamon until you are ready to eat.
🤔 Common Questions
Essentially they are loose yeast dough, deep fried, and drizzled in honey, sugar syrup, or even plain.
They are fried and sweet, but not too sweet. That’s why I love them!
Loukoumades (Greek Donuts)
Your Greek mommy that is. 😍 Step into my kitchen to learn how to make yummy Greek food. 🍽️💃
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup warm whole milk
- 1 cup plus 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil
- vegetable oil or avocado oil for frying
Instructions
- Add the warm water (temperature should be very warm to the touch but not too hot that you can’t hold a finger in the water for a few seconds), sugar and yeast to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine and then let sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and foamy.
- Add the warm milk (temperature should be very warm to the touch but not too hot that you can’t hold a finger in the water for a few seconds), all of the flour, salt and all of the olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon fairly vigorously until combined, about 2 minutes, until a sticky / smooth batter forms.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise for at least an hour, until the dough has doubled in size.
- Layer a plate with paper towel for the donuts once cooked and set aside.
- After the dough has risen, in a high sided medium-sized pot, fill about half way with oil. Heat on medium heat until hot – you can test how hot the oil is by putting in a small pinch of dough and if it starts to sizzle the oil is ready.
- Oil your hands or a spoon / small scoop and use them to scoop out about 1 tbsp of dough per donut and roll into a ball using your hands.
- Add each donut to the hot oil, you can fry 3-5 at a time. Fry for 2-3 minutes total, flipping the donuts every 30 seconds – 1 minutes until they are a deep golden brown on each side.
- Remove the cooked donuts with a slotted spoon to the paper towel lined baking sheet or plate and continue to cook donuts in baches until all of the dough is used.
- Serve the donuts drizzled with honey and cinnamon.
Video
Notes
- Other topping options for the donuts include: nutella, chopped walnuts, chopped pistachios or icing sugar.
- If you love this Greek baking recipe, check out our Baklava Recipe or Pita Recipe with savory and sweet filling options.
hey so can i refrigerate the dough and make the doughnuts the next day?
We didn’t test them this way but as long as it’s under 24 hours it should be ok!
Hi! Can I replace the olive oil with butter? if so how many tablespoon? thanks very much!
We didn’t test them that way but feel free to play around with the exact ratios.
Fabulous recipe! Did not roll into balls just gently spooned batter into oil for cooking.
love this so much!!! just like my grandma!