Loukoumades Recipe (Homemade Greek Honey Puffs)

This loukoumades recipe creates the most irresistible Greek honey puffs. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and soaked in sweet honey syrup. These golden dough balls are the perfect little bites of sweetness that will instantly transport you to a traditional Greek festival. Whether served at a dinner party or enjoyed as a snack, these Greek doughnuts are guaranteed to impress everyone.

If you love making loukoumades, you’ve got to check out my diples recipe! It’s a crunchy, sweet dessert that also involves frying the dough to perfection. But if you’re looking for something without frying but still full of honey, syrupy goodness, and nutty flavour, try my baklava recipe.

Jump to:

• What are loukoumades?
• Why you will love this loukoumades recipe
• Overview of the key steps
• How to make these Greek donuts - Short video
• Ingredients
• Preparation
• Frying Safely
• Step-by-step Instructions
• Top Tips
• Storage
• Variations
• 📖 Recipe

What are loukoumades?

Loukoumades are delicious Greek donuts (also found in neighbouring countries) often called “Greek honey puffs.” They are little, round dough balls deep-fried with a perfectly crisp exterior and pillowy soft interior. 

Why you will love this loukoumades recipe

• Perfect for Family Bonding: This recipe is a great way to get the whole family involved! It’s even more fun when you make these delicious treats together.
  
• Crispy and Fluffy: These Greek honey puffs are perfectly crispy and golden brown on the outside while soft on the inside, giving you the perfect texture combination.
  
• Endless Topping Options: Whether you love cinnamon, crushed walnuts, or extra honey, these puffs are super customizable to suit your taste buds.
  
• Impressive and Delicious: These little bites of sweetness are perfect for impressing your guests at any dinner party or special occasion.
  
• Authentic Flavours: You’ll get that traditional Greek flavour with every bite, just like at a Greek festival.

Overview of the key steps

I want to be honest, this isn’t a quick and easy job. While they are a real treat, I wouldn’t say this is an “easy” recipe. If you’re up for a fun challenge, the results are absolutely worth it! Heres is an overview of the steps required:

• Make the Syrup: We mix together the syrup ingredients, creating a tangy and sweet syrup. It’s the perfect balance of richness and flavour to soak into the dough.
  
• Prepare the Dough: We create a wet, runny dough mixture that rises and fills with air, creating a wonderfully fluffy texture.
  
• Fry the Loukoumades: Heat oil to the perfect temperature and fry small batches until golden.
  
• Coat and Serve: Dip hot loukoumades in syrup and garnish with honey, cinnamon and walnuts.

How to make these Greek donuts - Short video

Want to see how simple it is to make this delicious loukoumades recipe? In my step-by-step video, I’ll show you everything! From preparing the simple dough the traditional way, to frying these Greek honey balls to perfection!

Be sure to like the video, leave a comment with your results if you make them, and share it with your friends if they love Greek desserts!

Ingredients

Let’s dive into the key ingredients that bring this loukoumades recipe to life! For exact quantities, please see the recipe card down the bottom for a complete ingredient list.

Syrup Ingredients

• Water: Forms the base of the syrup, helping dissolve the sugar and honey to create a smooth, sweet coating for the loukoumades.
  
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar is typically used. It dissolves easily into a syrup. 
  
• Honey: Use good quality honey that is relatively runny, adding depth and natural sweetness to the donut balls.
  
• Cinnamon Sticks: Infuse the syrup with a warm, aromatic flavour.
  
• Lemon Juice: Balances the sweetness, bringing a refreshing tang that elevates the syrup’s flavour.

Dough Ingredients

• Warm Water: Essential for activating the yeast! But make sure it's not hot; it's just lukewarm.
  
• Dry Yeast: Make sure your batch is not old. The yeast is essential for helping the dough rise.
  
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast, helping it activate and add a slight sweetness to the dough.
  
• Plain All Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and creating that soft interior.
  
• Salt: Enhances the flavour of the dough and balances the sweetness of the honey syrup.
  
• Olive Oil: A small amount in the dough helps keep it tender and adds a subtle richness.
  
• Lemon Juice: Adding the other half here adds a slight tang to the dough, making these Greek loukoumades even more delicious.

Garnish

• Honey: A drizzle of honey on top to enhance the sweetness and give the loukoumades that signature sticky finish.
  
• Ground Cinnamon: Sprinkling cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to balance the sweetness of the syrup.
  
• Crushed Walnuts: These add a bit of crunch and richness, and create a great presentation.

Preparation

• Measure Ingredients: I always recommend having all your ingredients ready before starting. This ensures you can focus on each step without interruptions.
  
• Oil on Hand: You’ll need plenty of oil to fully submerge the dough balls. I use sunflower oil, but your favourite vegetable oil works just as well. If you want to use less oil, use a small pot.
  
• Grab a Helping Hand: If possible, get someone to help you with frying! One person can turn the dough balls while the other has their hands messy with the loukoumades dough. Give yourselves plenty of time and have fun in the process!
  
• Set Up for Frying: Have your paper towel ready to drain the excess oil, and a rack on hand to let the loukoumades drip off the extra syrup after coating.

Frying Safely

Frying with hot oil requires care and attention, take your time and always ensure you are doing your best to be safe in the process. Here are a few tips to help.

• Use a Deep Pot: Make sure your pot is deep enough to prevent oil splashes. This helps contain the hot oil while you fry your loukoumades.
  
• Monitor the Temperature: Keep the oil at a consistent 165°C using a thermometer.
  
• Never Leave Unattended: Always stay close while frying. Hot oil can be unpredictable, so keep an eye on the temperature and the dough balls as they fry.
  
• Keep Water Away: Water and hot oil don’t mix! Keep water far from the frying pan to prevent dangerous splattering. And do not dip your spoon in water, only in oil.
  
• Long-Handled Tools: Use tools like a slotted spoon or tongs to safely handle the dough balls and avoid getting too close to the hot oil.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Prepare the Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, honey, cinnamon sticks, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it cool. This syrup is what gives the loukoumades their irresistible sweetness!
   
2. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, which is a sign the yeast is working.
   
3. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, water, olive oil, lemon juice and yeast mixture. Use a hand mixer on medium-high speed to mix everything until smooth. The dough should look wet, that’s what we want! Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size and is full of air bubbles.

4. Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot to fully submerge the dough balls. You want the oil temperature to be around 165°C for a perfectly crispy and fluffy result.
   
5. Shape and Fry: Dip your hand into the dough and squeeze a portion between your thumb and index finger to form balls of dough. Use an oiled spoon to scoop the dough ball off the top, creating a smooth, round shape. Carefully place the dough into the hot oil. Repeat with the rest of the dough, frying a few at a time until they turn golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

6. Coat in Syrup: While the loukoumades are still hot, dip them briefly (about 10 seconds) into the cooled room temperature syrup, making sure they are well-coated. Remove and place them on a wire rack/ drip tray to drain any excess syrup.
   
7. Garnish and Serve: After the syrup has dripped off, garnish your loukoumades with extra honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and crushed walnuts. Serve immediately and enjoy while they’re warm!

Top Tips

• Keep an Eye on Oil Temperature: I find the perfect frying temperature for these is around 165°C. Too low, and your loukoumades will be soggy; too high, and they’ll brown too quickly. I really recommend working with a thermometer.
  
• Fry in Small Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pot! Frying just a few dough balls at a time keeps the oil at the right temperature and ensures they cook evenly.
  
• Serve Hot and Fresh: Loukoumades are at their best when served warm and fresh out of the syrup.
  
• Test a Few First: Always fry a couple of dough balls first to test the oil temperature and dough consistency before going all-in with a big batch.
  
• Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a milder sweetness, you can coat the loukoumades lightly in syrup, or for a sweeter treat, drizzle extra honey right before serving.

Storage

Guys, these donuts don’t keep and freeze well. Get them out of the fryer and into your belly and finish them off! If you do have leftovers, store them (cooled) in an airtight container and eat them within 48 hours if possible. Give them to your neighbour or a friend rather than storing them too long.

Variations

Want to play around with this loukoumades recipe? A few very simple ingredients can offer some fun twists:

• Chocolate sauce: Replace or complement the honey syrup with a drizzle of melted dark, milk, or white chocolate.
  
• Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream: Add a small scoop, of creamy vanilla ice cream on the side to complement the warm, crispy loukoumades.
  
• Nuts and Seeds: Try garnishing with toasted sesame seeds or chopped pistachios for a different nutty finish.
  
• Maple swap: Replace the honey syrup with pure maple syrup. Maple syrup is a little “less sweet” than honey and has a little zing or spiciness to it.

I hope you love this traditional loukoumades recipe as much as I do! These sweet little treats are the perfect Greek version of a doughnut and are sure to impress. Let me know how yours turned out, and feel free to share any personal tweaks in the comments below. And don’t forget to share the recipe with your friends. Kali Orexi!

📖 Recipe