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    Home » Dessert » Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts Recipe

    Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts Recipe

    Published on Apr 12, 2022 Modified: Aug 6, 2020 by The Foreign Fork This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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    Loukoumades are a delightful dessert from Cyprus and Greece. They are fried donuts coated in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts.  

    loukoumades with honey

    “Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!”

    Loukoumades (otherwise spelled “Lukumades”) are a greek version of donuts typically served in Cyprus and Greece. They are fried dough balls that are crunchy on the outside but light and airy on the inside… they are basically the most delicious treat you’ll ever find!

    Loukoumades are typically served warm, with many donuts piled on one plate and doused with honey, cinnamon, and sometimes walnuts. 

    They are sticky and messy and perfect for filling your belly with a delectable treat fit for the gods…. Or the Olympians! 

    Try eating your Greek loukoumades after a delicious meal of Moussaka, Spinach Pie, or even a Gyro. You can also put them on a dessert platter with this Homemade Pistachio Baklava for a delicious treat! 

    Recipe Origins

    Loukoumades are a popular treat in many countries, including Cyprus, Greece, Persia, and Egypt. 

    The first known record of Loukoumades, or Lukumades, is from ancient Greece. The fried donut balls coated in honey were served to the Olympic victors as early as 776 BC as a prize for their success. 

    Since then the donuts have spread across countries, also becoming a favorite in Cyrus. Try them at home! I’m almost certain they’ll become a staple in your home as well. 

    Why Make this Recipe

    1. Taste the World: If you want a good taste of Greek or Cypriot Food this is a great dessert to try! Close your eyes and be transported to the Mediterranean. 
    2. Sweet and Crunchy: The sweetness on the inside plus the crunch on the outside of these honey donuts will leave you speechless! 

    What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?

    Ingredients

    Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

    Measured ingredients to make Loukoumades.
    1. Milk: Whole Milk or 2% will work best. I have not tested this recipe with almond milk for a dairy-free option, but you should be able to substitute it with no issues. 
    2. Dry Active Yeast: This is different from Instant Yeast. 
    3. Water: Room temperature
    4. Oil for Frying: I prefer vegetable oil, but either vegetable oil or sunflower oil works

    Tools 

    1. Bowls: Small bowl for rising the yeast, large mixing bowl for making and rising the dough 
    2. Skillet: For frying. I used a cast iron. 
    3. Ice Cream Scoop: Optional but helpful.
    4. Nonstick Spray: To spray the ice cream scoop or your hands when scooping the donuts. 
    5. Thermometer: Best for testing the temperature of the milk and the oil. 

    How to Make this Recipe

    Step 1: Rise the Yeast

    Two photos showing how to create the beginning of the loukoumades dough with yeast, milk and sugar.

    Place your milk in a microwave safe container, and microwave until the temperature of the milk reaches 105 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Add 1 tsp of sugar to the milk, then add the packet of yeast. Allow the yeast to sit for about 10 minutes in a dark, warm place until it rises and the top becomes puffy. 

    Step 2: Make the Dough 

    Two photos showing how to combine the ingredients to make a dough and then the dough sitting in an oiled mixing bowl beginning to proof.

    In a separate, large bowl, mix the flour, 2 tbsp sugar, olive oil, lukewarm water, and the risen milk/yeast mixture together. Whisk it for a few minutes until a smooth batter is formed.

    Grease a glass bowl with nonstick spray and put the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a dish towel, and put in a dark, warm environment for about an hour, or until the dough rises and doubles in size. 

    Step 3: Fry the Dough 

    Frying up loukoumades in oil.

    After an hour, fill a skillet with about an inch of oil. Turn the heat to medium and heat until the oil reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Use an ice cream scoop to form ball-shaped scoops of dough. Dip your scoop in water or spray with nonstick spray between each dough ball so that the dough doesn’t stick to the utensil. 

    Fry the batter in the oil, a few donuts at the time. When one side turns golden brown, flip them over so that they are evenly browned on each side. 

    Step 4: Add Toppings

    As the donuts are done, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. This will remove any excess oil. 

    Once the loukoumades are done draining, move them to a large platter.

    Warm the honey in the microwave for about 30 seconds (or you can warm it in a small saucepan) until it is easily pourable. Pour the desired amount over the donuts. Sprinkle the donuts with chopped walnuts and cinnamon. Enjoy! 

    Alternate Topping Ideas

    overhead of loukoumades on wooden board

    If you don’t want to top your loukoumades with honey, there are other options as well! Good choices are:

    • Sesame Seeds
    • Chocolate Sauce
    • A simple syrup made of honey mixed with sugar
    • Orange Blossom Water
    • Or anything else you think may be delicious

    Can You Reheat Loukoumades? 

    While I think that Loukoumades are definitely best when served fresh, you can still reheat them. Reheating a fried treat is difficult but it can be done. 

    My best advice would be to heat your oven to 450 degrees. Place your loukoumades on an aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet, and place them in the oven. 

    Let them sit in the oven for a few minutes, just until they’re heated up. Don’t leave them for too long, or they’ll burn! 

    You can also reheat them in an air fryer to easily crisp them up again. 

    Expert Tips

    loukoumades pile with honey stick
    • Follow the instructions on the back of your Yeast Package. My yeast called for the milk to be warmed to 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit, but if your package says differently, follow that. 
    • The most important thing is to not heat your milk up too much over the called-for temperature or you will kill the yeast. 
    • Make sure the balls of dough are about as large as a golf ball. 
    • Make sure the oil is deep enough to cover at least half of your fried donuts. 
    • If the outside of your donut is brown and crispy but the inside is still raw, your oil is too hot. Remove the hot oil from the heat and allow it to cool to the right temperature (300 degrees). Then, try again.
    • Only put honey on the donuts that you plan to eat. They are much harder to reheat if they have honey on them. 
    • I am using a skillet to cook these Greek Doughnuts, but you can also use a deep fryer if you have one.

    Recipe FAQs 

    close up of honey donuts with walnuts
    How to Make Loukoumades Crispy? 

    Your loukoumades should crisp up themselves if the oil is hot enough. Make sure the oil reaches 300 degrees. 

    Storing Instructions

    If you are storing leftover loukoumades, make sure to allow them to cool all the way before putting plastic wrap on them. Do not add honey to the donuts that you want to save them for another day. 

    Wrap the dry, cooled loukoumades in plastic wrap and keep them on the counter until you are ready to reheat them. I would only store leftovers for about a day. 

    Loukoumades would be a great dessert to compliment homemade gyros. You can also check out this list of what to serve with gyros. I have 31 delicious recipe ideas.

    Did you enjoy this recipe for Loukoumades? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

    • Apple Cider Donut Bread Pudding
    • Honey Cake Recipe
    • Grilled Halloumi from Cyprus

    If you make this recipe at home, leave a review/comment on this post letting us know what you thought!

    And don’t forget to share a photo of your finished product on Facebook and Instagram and tag @TheForeignFork and hashtag #TheForeignFork.

     

    loukoumades with honey

    Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts Recipe

    Loukoumades are a delightful dessert from Cyprus and Greece. They are fried donuts coated in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: cyprus
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Rising Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Servings: 30
    Calories: 97kcal
    Author: The Foreign Fork

    Equipment

    • Bowls
    • Skillet
    • Ice Cream Scoop
    • Nonstick Spray
    • Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 tbsp granulated sugar , + 1 tsp, divided
    • 1 Dry Active Yeast, package
    • 3 ¼ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 cup water
    • 4 tbsp olive oil
    • Sunflower or vegetable oil for frying
    • ½ cup honey
    • ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
    • ½ tsp cinnamon, optional

    Instructions

    • Place 1 cup of milk in a microwave safe container, and microwave until the temperature of the milk reaches 105 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Add 1 tsp of sugar to the milk, then add the packet of yeast. Allow the yeast to sit for about 10 minutes on the countertop until it rises and the top becomes puffy.
    • In a separate bowl, mix 3 ¼ cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup water, and the risen milk/yeast mixture together. Whisk it for a few minutes until the combination is smooth.
    • Grease a glass bowl with nonstick spray, put the dough in the bowl, cover with a dish towel, and put in a warm, dark place for about an hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
    • After an hour, fill a skillet with about an inch of oil. Turn the heat to medium and heat until the oil reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out ball-shaped scoops of dough. Dip your scoop in water or spray with nonstick spray between each scoop so that the dough doesn’t stick to the utensil.
    • Fry the batter in the oil, a few donuts at the time. When one side browns, flip them over so that they are evenly browned on each side. As the donuts are done, remove them to a paper-towel lined plate to remove any excess grease.
    • Once the loukoumades are cooked, move them to a serving platter. Warm the ½ cup honey in the microwave for about 30 seconds until it is easily pourable. Pour the desired amount over the donuts. Sprinkle the donuts with ¼ cup chopped walnuts and ½ tsp cinnamon. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational and personal use only. 
    • Milk: Whole Milk or 2% will work best. I have not tested this recipe with almond milk for a dairy-free option, but you should be able to substitute it with no issues. 
    • Dry Active Yeast: This is different from Instant Yeast. 
    • Water: Room temperature
    • Oil for Frying: I prefer vegetable oil, but either vegetable oil or sunflower oil works
    • Follow the instructions on the back of your Yeast Package. My yeast called for the milk to be warmed to 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit, but if your package says differently, follow that. 
    • The most important thing is to not heat your milk up too much over the called-for temperature or you will kill the yeast. 
    • Make sure the balls of dough are about as large as a golf ball. 
    • Make sure the oil is deep enough to cover at least half of your fried donuts. 
    • If the outside of your donut is brown and crispy but the inside is still raw, your oil is too hot. Remove the hot oil from the heat and allow it to cool to the right temperature (300 degrees). Then, try again.
    • Only put honey on the donuts that you plan to eat. They are much harder to reheat if they have honey on them. 
    • I am using a skillet to cook these Greek Doughnuts, but you can also use a deep fryer if you have one.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheForeignFork or tag #TheForeignFork!
    Loukoumades Pinterest Image

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