European Deep-fried Desserts

Elongated, crispy, crunchy and intensely fragrant, churros consist of deep-fried yeast dough encrusted with sugar. Although some may argue against consuming these sweet treats, warning others about the dangerous effects of sugar and fat on human b... READ MORE

Pączki are traditional Polish doughnuts are made from yeast-leavened dough that's rich in eggs, sugar, milk, and fats. A touch of spirit, such as rum, is often added to the dough for pączki to prevent the absorption of oil during frying. They are ... READ MORE

These squares of deep-fried pastry dough are sprinkled with powdered sugar and are traditionally served hot. The dish hails from France, and French settlers brought it to the Acadia region of Canada in the 17th century. Many of the Acadians later ... READ MORE

Krapfen was probably the first European-style doughnut to appear, followed by similar varieties in other countries. These pastries are traditionally prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while they... READ MORE

Rosquillas are traditional Spanish deep-fried donuts, characterized by their fluffy texture and a hole in the middle. They are typically prepared during the Holy Week festivities. Although there are many varieties of rosquillas, the classic ones a... READ MORE

These Italian carnival pastry fritters are made from dough that is cut into thin, rectangular sheets, which are then twisted into ribbons or kept flat with wavy borders. They are then deep-fried and usually finished with a sprinkling of powdered s... READ MORE

Deep-fried, golden, and crispy buñuelos are an original Spanish creation that has become an internationally popular treat. In the simplest form, these fritters are created with milk, eggs, butter, and flour into a dough which is usually sha... READ MORE

Quarkbällchen, meaning quark balls, is a traditional snack that is typically made by combining quark, flour, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and baking powder. Milk, melted butter, cinnamon, lemon zest, and corn or potato starch are also... READ MORE

Chiacchiere are popular Italian Carnival sweets with somewhat disputed origin—bugie, cenci, frappe, sfrappole, galani, frittole, lattughe and crostoli are just a few of the names by which they are known in the different regions of Italy, alt... READ MORE

Rabanada is the Portuguese and Brazilian version of french toast. It's made with round or oval stale bread cut in thick slices that's dipped in milk (or milk, sugar, and vanilla) and beaten eggs, fried in oil, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. A... READ MORE

Polish faworki are crispy deep-fried pastries that are very similar to angel wings in taste and appearance. They are made with a thick and elastic dough consisting of egg yolks, flour, cream, and different flavorings. Rolled into thin, re... READ MORE

Zeppole are a fried dough specialty that is found throughout southern Italy, consisting of deep-fried dough that is typically topped with sugar and can be filled with custard, jelly, pastry cream, or a combination of honey and butter. Some version... READ MORE

Bolas de Berlim are Portuguese donuts that are sliced in half, then filled with sweet and creamy egg-based custard. Fluffy on the exterior and thick and creamy on the interior, these donuts are typically rolled in granulated sugar before being fil... READ MORE

Oliebol is a traditional and Belgian snack that can be literally translated as oily ball. The dough, which is deep-fried in hot oil, is made with flour, eggs, yeast, milk, and baking powder. The exterior is crunchy, while the interior is ... READ MORE

These luscious little balls of sweet fried dough are one of the most recognizable Italian carnival sweets. Their name derives from the word castagne, meaning chestnuts, referring to their shape and size rather than the use of rea... READ MORE

Italian deep-fried doughnuts known as bomboloni are one of the traditional sweets of the Carnival season, but nowadays they can be prepared throughout the year. Even though bomboloni are said to be of Tuscan origin, they are commonly sold as a sna... READ MORE

Leche frita is a delicious Spanish dessert consisting of a sweet, firm milk-pudding encased in a crunchy fried shell of eggs and flour. It is made with flour, cornstarch, sugar, milk, eggs, butter, and olive oil. The whole concoction is flavored w... READ MORE

Fritule are traditional Croatian version of sweet, round fritters. They are prepared with a basic yeasted dough which incorporates eggs, flour, milk, butter, and sugar. Different varieties often employ raisins, grated apples, yogurt, and ... READ MORE

Munkki, translated as monks, are popular Finnish deep-fried doughnuts made with buttery, cardamom-flavored, leavened dough. They are usually shaped into round forms that are occasionally complemented with sweet and fruity fillings, or in ... READ MORE

This internationally known, decadent, and sugar-packed dessert is usually made with a mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt, which is deep-fried and then bathed in syrup or honey. The origin of lokma fritters is ancient but often debated. It is... READ MORE

These soft, tender Czech doughnuts are prepared with yeasted dough that is occasionally flavored with lemon zest. They are typically round and have a small indentation on the top, which is used to hold all of the delicious filling. Even though the... READ MORE

In their simplest form, filhós are traditional Portuguese deep-fried treats prepared with leavened dough. They come in numerous regional varieties that may differ in form and often incorporate different spices and additions such as pumpkin ... READ MORE

Malasadas are traditional Portuguese yeast-leavened doughnuts made from eggs, flour, sugar, and milk. They are sometimes coated with cinnamon or granulated sugar. The original Portuguese malasadas don't have any holes or fillings, but the variatio... READ MORE

This delicious Greek dessert consists of thin pastry sheets that are rolled, deep-fried, and doused or drizzled with a thick, honey-based syrup. These pastries can be wrapped into various shapes and are often sprinkled with nuts and dusted with ci... READ MORE

Deep-fried Mars bar is a famous Scottish delicacy and a champion of the jokingly-called Scottish Diet, where the rule is that sugar, fat, and alcohol must each account for at least 30% of a person's daily caloric intake. The unusual snack... READ MORE

These deep-fried Sardinian pastries combine wheat or semolina dough with a slightly savory cheese filling. Sebadas are typically round and come filled with the sweet and aromatic young Pecorino Sardo cheese. Primarily a frugal and rustic ... READ MORE

Gogoși is a donut prepared the Romanian way, made with a dough mixture that is flavored with vanilla extract and grated lemon or orange peel, then deep-fried in hot oil. Traditional gogoși is prepared without yeast or butter, and the dough mixture... READ MORE

Struffoli is a Neapolitan dessert consisting of small, deep-fried balls of dough that are soaked in honey. Traditionally, struffoli is prepared at Christmastime, so they are sometimes served piled on a plate in the shape of a wreath or a Christmas... READ MORE

This German specialty consists of thin strips of shortcrust pastry that are loosely intertwined and wrapped into balls which are deep-fried until golden and crispy. Traditional versions are dusted with sugar, but there are also variations may be c... READ MORE

Papanași is a traditional donut-shaped pastry with a small sphere on top. It can be fried or boiled, and it's made by adding unsalted cheese such as brânză de vaci (cow's milk cheese) or urdă to a regular flour and egg dough. The fried papan... READ MORE

Pestiños are Spanish pastries fried in olive oil. The dough is made with flour, yeast, sesame, and sometimes orange juice and cinnamon. After the dough has been fried, it is traditionally topped with honey or sugar. These crunchy fritters h... READ MORE

Although it is believed to have its origins in Persia, zulbia or jalebi is an international dessert with variations that spread throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia. In its basic form, this sweet dessert is created by combining flour with y... READ MORE

Nonnevot is a unique pastry originating from Limburg, dating back to at least the 17th century. The dough is prepared with flour, yeast, milk, salt, butter, lard, and brown sugar. It is then deep-fried until it develops a golden-brown color. Altho... READ MORE

Bolinhos de chuva are traditional Portuguese and Brazilian sweet fritters. These easy-to-make pastries call for dough made of eggs, wheat flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, and salt, shaped into small balls and fried in vegetable oil until golden ... READ MORE

Traditionally associated with Christmastime, these popular Norwegian doughnuts called smultring are prepared with a dense dough that is usually spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, lemon or orange zest, as well as various liqueurs. They are typically s... READ MORE

Apfelradln is a traditional dessert made by deep-frying apple rings. It is typically served for breakfast or eaten as an afternoon treat. This comforting dish is prepared by peeling, coring, and slicing the apples into rings, then dipping the ring... READ MORE

Imqaret is a traditional pastry that is filled with a combination of dates, citrus, and spices, shaped into a diamond, then deep-fried in hot oil. The name of the dish is derived from the word maqrut, meaning diamond-shaped, refe... READ MORE

Graffe are soft Neapolitan fried sweets that are traditionally prepared for Carnival. It is believed that they were inspired by famous Austrian krapfen. The main characteristic of these leavened, doughnut-shaped fritters with a hole in th... READ MORE

Kroštule are traditional Croatian pastries originating from the regions of Istria and Dalmatia. They are made by deep-frying ribbon-shaped dough. The dough consists of flour, sugar, egg yolks, oil, and milk. It is traditionally flavored wit... READ MORE

Closely resembling Swedish semla, this sweet Finnish pastry is prepared with yeasted, cardamom-spiced dough that is shaped into buns and baked until golden. Each bun is cut in half and filled with strawberry or raspberry jam and whipped c... READ MORE

Skruzdėlynas is a Lithuanian dessert consisting of deep-fried pieces of dough which are stacked on top of one another, then glazed with honey syrup and sprinkled with poppy seeds. The dough consists of flour, eggs, a pinch of salt, and (optionally... READ MORE

Cassatelle or casateddi are deep-fried Italian pastries that consist of a sugary filling enclosed within two thin layers of dough, which is enriched with white wine or Marsala. Often considered to be the sweet version of ravioli ... READ MORE