Zeppole: A Sweet Italian Fried Dough Treat
Zeppole are golden, fluffy Italian pastries traditionally made for special occasions, especially St. Joseph’s Day. These deep-fried dough balls are often filled with sweet ricotta cream or custard and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 zeppole
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- For the filling (optional):
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (well-drained)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream (for whipped cream texture, optional)
- For topping:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Chocolate syrup, fruit, or honey (optional for extra toppings)
Instructions
For the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and stir until butter melts. Add flour and stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball. Let the dough cool for 5 minutes before adding eggs one at a time. Stir until smooth and slightly sticky.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot. Pipe small dough circles or spirals into the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- For the filling: Mix ricotta, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. For a lighter texture, whip the cream and fold it into the ricotta mixture.
- Fill the cooled zeppole with the ricotta filling using a pastry bag. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with chocolate syrup, honey, or fruit.
Notes
- Store the zeppole shells separately and fill just before serving to keep them crispy.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- For a lighter option, you can use a whipped ricotta filling instead of cream-based fillings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zeppole
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
