The dessert, Mediterranean
Greek loukoumades with honey
Loukoumades are small Greek fritters made from yeasted dough, deep fried until golden and soaked in warm honey with cinnamon and walnuts, for 6 people. They take 40 minutes of active work, the dough comes together just before your guests arrive, and the frying happens at the very last minute. Medium difficulty, about €1.10 per person, and success comes down to oil temperature and serving right away.
Greek loukoumades, little golden fritters drizzled with warm honey, cinnamon, and walnuts.
- For
- 6 people
- Work
- 40 min
- Total time
- 2 h
- Prep
- Finished at the last minute
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost per person
- €1.10
- Calories per person
- 420 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Loukoumades are small balls of yeasted dough, deep fried until the outside turns golden and crackly while the inside stays soft and a little airy. Warm honey coats them the moment they come out of the oil, cinnamon adds warmth, and crushed walnuts bring the crunch the fritters would otherwise miss. This is a dessert you eat hot, with your fingers, and it disappears fast once it hits the table.
It fits best in fall or winter, for a dinner with friends around a Mediterranean style table or to close a family meal with something different from the usual cake. Kids love dipping their fingers in, and since everything happens at the last minute right in front of your guests, it turns into a shared moment rather than just another dessert you set down.
The schedule
What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
- The day before Nothing to do
- The same day Nothing to do
- Before the guests arrive 3 steps, 1 h 10
- When it's time to serve 2 steps, 10 min
Just before your guests arrive, make the dough, let it rise for an hour, and warm the honey syrup, keeping it on very low heat. Right when it is time to serve, heat the oil, fry the dough in small batches, and drizzle with warm honey in front of your guests for a dessert served fresh and still warm.
The ingredients
Pantry
- Flouroften in the pantry 300 g
- Active dry yeastoften in the pantry 7 g
- Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Warm wateroften in the pantry 30 cl
- Frying oiloften in the pantry 1 l
- Honeyoften in the pantry 200 g
- Ground cinnamonoften in the pantry 2 tsp
- Crushed walnuts 80 g
Allergens Gluten, Tree nuts
The recipe, moment by moment
Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.
-
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, add the warm water and whisk until you get a thick, sticky batter. 10 min
The water should be warm, not hot, or it will kill the yeast.
-
Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size and is full of bubbles. 1 h
Set the bowl near the warm oven, it rises faster there.
-
Heat the honey with a little water and half the cinnamon, then keep it warm over very low heat.
The honey should be fluid, not boiling, or it loses its flavor.
When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.
-
Heat the oil to 170°C and drop in balls of dough with a spoon, turning them until golden all over. 10 min
Do not overcrowd the pot, the oil cools down and the fritters soak up more grease.
-
Drain on paper towels, drizzle with warm honey, and sprinkle with walnuts and the rest of the cinnamon.
Serve right away, they are at their best in the minutes after frying.
Our tips to get it right
- Test the oil with a small piece of dough before frying the whole batch, it should turn golden in about thirty seconds without browning too fast.
- If the dough feels too sticky to shape into neat balls, wet your hands or your spoon slightly instead of adding more flour, extra flour would make the fritters heavy.
- Fry in several small batches and keep the first ones warm in a low oven while you finish the rest, so everyone gets served at the same time.
The variations
- Swap the walnuts for crushed pistachios for a more fragrant version with a nice green color.
- For a nut free version, leave the loukoumades plain with just honey and cinnamon, the flavor still comes through clearly.
- To go faster with kids, shape smaller balls with a teaspoon, they cook faster and eat like little candies.
What to serve it with
- A strong Greek or Turkish coffee
- An orange salad with orange blossom water
- A cinnamon or lemon tea
Storage
Loukoumades are best eaten the same day, ideally within minutes of frying, since they lose their crunch as they cool. They do not freeze well and do not keep long, so it is best to only fry what you plan to serve.
Questions about this recipe
Can I make the dough the night before?
You can refrigerate it after it has risen, but the texture is better with dough made the same day, right before frying. Let it come back to room temperature before you use it.
How do I check the oil temperature without a thermometer?
Drop a small bit of dough into the oil, it should float back up and start turning golden in about thirty seconds. If it browns too fast, lower the heat before continuing.
Can I use a different spice instead of cinnamon?
Yes, cardamom or orange zest both work well with the warm honey. Keep a little cinnamon for the finish though, it is part of the classic flavor of this dessert.
How many loukoumades does this recipe make?
This recipe makes about thirty to forty small balls depending on their size, enough to serve six people generously for dessert. Plan on five or six pieces per guest for a generous serving.
Can a plate of Greek loukoumades with honey be made ahead?
Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 40 min of work in total, split up like this, before the guests arrive, 3 steps, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.
How long does it take to make a plate of Greek loukoumades with honey?
Allow 2 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 40 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".
How many calories are in a plate of Greek loukoumades with honey?
About 420 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a plate of Greek loukoumades with honey cost?
About €1.10 per person, that's €6.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten, tree nuts. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.
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