Light Airy Italian Fried Dough (Printable)

Golden fried dough balls with a soft inside and dusted powdered sugar for a sweet touch.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ For Frying

09 - 3 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

→ Finishing

10 - 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, beat the eggs; then add the milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter, mixing thoroughly.
03 - Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a thick, sticky batter forms.
04 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F.
05 - Using two spoons, carefully drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until the dough balls are golden brown and puffed.
07 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
08 - While still warm, generously dust the fried dough balls with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • They fry up in under five minutes, so you can have warm, fresh zeppole without the theatrical fuss.
  • The batter is forgiving—it doesn't require precise measurements or special techniques, just confidence and hot oil.
  • One batch disappears before you can finish dusting powdered sugar on the next one, which is honestly the best compliment a dessert can get.
02 -
  • Oil temperature is everything—too cool and they absorb oil and feel greasy, too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks through.
  • Don't make the batter too thin trying to be precise; it should be thick and chunky, almost like soft cookie dough, or your zeppole will spread into flat circles instead of puffing into balls.
03 -
  • Use a thermometer and keep the oil between 345 and 355°F; this narrow range is where the magic happens.
  • Make the batter just before you start frying so the baking powder hasn't lost its lift sitting around in a bowl.
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