Loukoumades
λουκουμάδες
Yeast-fried dough balls, honey and cinnamon — the fairground doughnut that is also a saint's-day plate.
Recipe by I Want Some Food · Reviewed by the editorial kitchen. Native name preserved: λουκουμάδες.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Rest
- 1 hr
- Total
- 1 hr 35 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Cheap nightUnder $8 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Loukoumades are a yeasty batter dropped into hot oil until they puff, then drowned in honey and cinnamon or sesame. Eat them immediately. Related to lokma; this is the Greek honey one.
What you'll need
8 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Wheat flour300 g
- Yeast7 g
- Water280 ml
- Honey150 g
- Cinnamon4.9 ml
- Sesame seed (optional)30 ml
- Salt2½ ml
- Neutral oil600 ml
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Batter of flour, yeast, water and salt. Rise 1 hour until puffy.
70 min
Step 2
Wet spoons, drop balls into 175°C oil. Fry gold, 2–3 minutes. Honey, cinnamon, sesame.
15 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 414 kcal
- Protein
- 6.3 g
- Carbs
- 60.2 g
- Fat
- 17 g
- Saturated fat
- 1.8 g
- Fibre
- 2.2 g
- Sugar
- 20.8 g
- Sodium
- 290 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Wheat
- Vegetarian
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 12 November.
Substitutions
Honey → Sugar syrup
A different sweet. Still a doughnut.
Tips
- The batter should be wet, not a kneaded dough.
- They stale in an hour. That is the design.
History & culture
Festivals and the shop that only does these. Also a home batter if you are brave with oil.
Fried dough in honey is older than national borders in this part of the world.
Traditional
Provenance: Editorial adaptation.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Loukoumades take?
1 hr 35 min all in — 15 min prep, 20 min cook, 1 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 bowls. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian.
7 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl, Saucepan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at ½ tsp.
How much honey?
150 g of Honey.
What can I use instead?
Honey → Sugar syrup. A different sweet. Still a doughnut.
Any tips from this recipe?
The batter should be wet, not a kneaded dough. They stale in an hour. That is the design.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.
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