Teresa's Recipes
Zalabya (Middle Eastern Sweet Fritters)
Embark on a culinary journey to the Middle East with these irresistible Zalabya. Popularly known as Middle Eastern Sweet Fritters, Zalabya are deep-fried golden orbs of dough, lovingly soaked in aromatic sugar syrup. These delicious treats are traditionally enjoyed during the holy month of Ramadan and are a symbol of celebration and togetherness, making them the perfect dessert to share with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons, plus more for frying Vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups, or as needed Warm water
- 1 cup Sugar syrup
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 8
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 45g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Sugar: 25g
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Gradually add the warm water and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough is resting, prepare your frying station. Heat a sufficient amount of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium heat.
- Using wet hands, take small portions of the dough (about the size of a ping pong ball) and carefully drop them into the hot oil. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry the dough balls until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove the fried dough from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- While still warm, dip the fried dough into the sugar syrup, ensuring each fritter is fully coated.
- Serve your homemade Zalabya warm and enjoy the sweet, crispy goodness!