Loades, A Greek bite-size donut with crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup. Twist them with an extra topping sauce, matcha, cookie & cream, and chocolate sauce, plus sprinkle them with pistachio! You know how good this is, right? No wonder this is such a popular dessert!
What are Loukoumades?
Traditionally, Loukoumades are Greek fried dough balls made with a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, salt, and sugar. They’re fried in olive oil and are a dairy-free version of donuts. Their texture is airy and puffy, while crisp on the outside.
But being me (a sauce maximalist and serial dessert tweaker), I couldn’t stop there. Why settle for one topping when you can have four? So I added matcha. And chocolate. And cookie & cream. Yes, chaos. But the delicious kind. Yes, your snack platter just got leveled all the way up.They make fantastic coffee or tea companions. I can guarantee you that despite your best efforts, you will find it a challenge to stop at just one or two, as they are completely addictive.
Try Loukoumades, A Greek bite-size donut with crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup.
Pause and Moment
I believe every dessert carries its own kind of memory. For some people, it’s a smell that brings them home. For me, it’s always the bite, that first warm, fluffy bite that holds a whole feeling.
When I made this Loukoumades recipe, I was reminded of a time when I needed a little joy, something small to lift the weight I was carrying emotionally. Life isn’t always sunshine and cute playlists. We all face heartbreak, whether from losing someone, feeling invisible, not getting the job, or just going through a wave of self-doubt that hits harder than it should. Sometimes it all feels like too much.
But here’s a little secret: comfort doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes, it’s tiny, golden dough balls soaked in honey, eaten fresh with your fingers while you’re still standing in the kitchen. Sometimes, it’s just about pausing—letting yourself feel sad and feeding that feeling something warm and sweet.
Try Loukoumades, A Greek bite-size donut with crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup.
Now that I’m married (yes, to the same best-friend-turned-husband who once roasted my engagement history ), life has shifted beautifully. We have a son now, and yes, I’m deep in the broccoli-mashing, veggie-hiding, baby-meal-prepping phase of motherhood. But no matter how full the days get, we always make time for a little sweet treat at night, a.k.a just the two of us, after the baby’s asleep.
If love is warm, sticky, golden, and slightly messy, then Loukoumades are the perfect metaphor. Now that your heart’s a little full, let’s fill your plate too.Ready to make some sweet, sticky magic? Let’s go
Ingredients of Loukoumades
Try Loukoumades, A Greek bite-size donut with crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup.
Dough
- Lukewarm Milk: These are the liquids that will activate the yeast and help the dough rise, providing the soft and fluffy texture of the loukoumades.
- Lukewarm Water: Use lukewarm water to help activate your yeast and to prepare your dough. Use whatever type you typically keep on hand. The addition of milk makes a more tender dough, though there is disagreement among Greek chefs as to whether or not milk is part of an authentic loukoumades recipe
- Sugar: I use white granulated sugar to help activate the yeast; the sugar acts as food for the yeast.
- Active Dry Yeast; In order for the loukoumades dough to rise and for them to be fluffy, you need to proof the dough with dry yeast. I keep my yeast in the refrigerator so that it stays fresh longer.
- All-purpose Flour; Also called regular or plain flour, this white wheat flour is the basis for the loukoumades. It is easy to find, and generally the most affordable option. It is a very versatile wheat flour.
- Salt, I always season my flour with salt. It helps elevate all the flavours.
- Olive Oil; I use vegetable oil for frying my loukoumades because of the high smoke point, and the fact that it is a mild-flavoured oil. I also use vegetable oil (and sometimes olive oil) to help shape my loukoumades by dipping my spoon into it. This is described in the instructions.
Sauce
- Water
- Sugar: This ingredient not only sweetens the dough but also helps to brown the loukoumades when they are fried.
- Honey, this is the traditional topping for loukoumades. It gives them their characteristic sweetness and shine. If preferred, simple syrup can be used as an alternative.
- Matcha Sauce, Cookie and Cream Sauce, Chocolate Sauce: All of them are optional; you can choose any sauces you want
- Nuts: Use for topping on top sauces. You can use any nuts, I prefer pistachio and almond. These add a nice crunch and color contrast to the soft and golden Greek honey balls. Feel free to use other nuts if you prefer.
How to Make Loukoumades
Let’s begin with activating yeast. In a medium bowl, combine lukewarm milk, lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir until well dissolved and let sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly. This step is crucial — if there’s no foam, your yeast may be inactive.Then, in a larger bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and olive oil until just combined. Then pour in the yeast mixture and whisk until smooth and lump-free.
Now, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let the dough rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. The dough will look sticky and bubbly — perfect!While the dough rises, make your syrup: Combine water, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
Try Loukoumades, A Greek bite-size donut with crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup.
Next, heat oil in a deep frying pan over low-medium heat. Scoop 1 teaspoon portions of the dough (you can use a small spoon or piping bag) and carefully drop them into the oil. Fry until golden brown and puffed, flipping occasionally for even color.
Don’t forget to transfer fried dough balls to a cooling rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.After all of the batches, Loukoumades are fried, now the fun begins!
-For classic honey loukoumades, dip them one by one in the honey syrup and top with chopped nuts.
-For the matcha, cookie & cream, or chocolate version, arrange the plain loukoumades on a serving plate, then drizzle your sauce of choice on top and finish with any extra toppings you love.
Try this Recipe!
Loukoumades are everything you want in a dessert: crisp, fluffy, sweet, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re team classic honey or chocolate-drizzle-all-the-way, this recipe gives you all the room to play. Serve them on a platter with a mix of sauces and let everyone go wild.Do not forget to try this recipe. If you made this, let me know how it went! Tag us on our Pinterest and Instagram. Also, we upload some videos on YouTube. Subscribe to our mailing list to see the latest updated recipe. Thank you for your support
