Italian Fried Dough Foods

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cartellate are traditional Italian holiday treats consisting of fried pastry shells filled with a variety of ingredients such as roasted almonds, chocolate, spices, and honey. They are a staple on every Apulian Christmas table, often coated in dri... READ MORE

Crispelle is an Italian fried dough that is typically prepared in the southern parts of Italy. It consists of bread or pizza dough, and it can be plain or enhanced with other ingredients to make it savory or sweet. This specialty may come in vario... READ MORE

Tortelli dolci are traditional carnival sweet prepared all over Italy. They can either be deep-fried or baked in the oven, and some of the most popular fillings include plum jam, ricotta, chocolate, or chestnut cream. Delicious when served warm or... READ MORE

Donzelle are little puffs of deep-fried bread dough, though they can also be made with leftover pizza dough. Served sprinkled with salt while they are still hot, donzelle make a delicious accompaniment to any antipasto platter and are traditionall... READ MORE

Also referred to as Sicilian doughnuts, the deep-fried sfinci were traditionally made on March 19th for the Feast of Saint Joseph, hence the name. Today, sfinci are available all year round, and they are also a popular Christmas treat. Th... READ MORE

Pignolata is a traditional Sicilian sweet from the city of Messina, usually prepared during Christmas time. This festive treat consists of tiny balls of lemon-flavored pastry dough, fried or baked in the oven, then covered in dark chocolate and le... READ MORE

Pignoccata is a popular Sicilian sweet that is traditionally prepared during Carnival and Christmas time. It consists of bite-sized fried pieces of pastry dough generously soaked in hot, lightly caramelized honey. The sticky, sweet balls are then ... READ MORE

Chizze Reggiane is a traditional snack originating from Reggio Emilia. It’s made with a combination of flour, butter, baking powder or yeast, salt, olive oil, peanut oil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings. The flour is mixed with the butter, ... READ MORE

Orecchie di Amman are traditional Italian-Jewish sweet pastries that are typically served during Purim. The name means Amman's ears, referring to the evil Amman who persecuted Jews in Persia. The pastry dough is made with eggs, sugar, whi... READ MORE

Baci di Pantelleria are crispy, flower-shaped fritters filled with a mixture of crema pasticcera, ricotta, and drops of chocolate. The fritters are traditionally prepared on the Italian island of Pantelleria. Special iron molds a... READ MORE