These fried dough recipes are proof that just about anything involving yeast, flour, and water is made better by a bath in very hot oil. Of the countless iterations of this found around the world, here are some of our faves.

Contents

A pile of sugar-dusted easy raised doughnuts on a white plate.
Guy Ambrosino
1 of 11

Easy Raised Doughnuts ~ Cuddureddi

Easy raised doughnuts, or cuddureddi as they’re known in Italian, are a deep-fried classic that’s synonymous with celebration—regardless of whether or not there’s an occasion.
Recipe
A pile of beignets dusted with confectioners' sugar in a bowl.
Brent Hofacker
2 of 11

New Orleans-Style Beignets

Beignets are a deep-fried, confectioners’ sugar-dusted indulgence that’s a New Orleans tradition made famous by Cafe du Monde. But you don’t have to go to the Big Easy to experience them. Thankfully they’re surprisingly easy to make at home.
Recipe
A mini funnel cake dusted with confectioners' sugar.
Taylor Mathis
3 of 11

Mini Funnel Cakes

These mini funnel cakes are as simple and easy to make as pancakes but a heck of a lot more novel. And chances are you have everything you need at home. Here’s how to make them.
Recipe
A plate of churros with a cup of hot chocolate in the background
Calle Stoltz
4 of 11

Churros

These churros are based on the Spanish and Mexican classic that comes together with ingredients you already have on hand. The resulting fried dough is crisp on the outside, airy on the inside, and irresistible through and through.
Recipe
Indian milk fritters in syrup with a spoon resting on top.
Rajeev Moudgil
5 of 11

Indian Milk Fritters

These Indian milk fritters, also known as Gulab jamun, are made with everyday ingredients by making a dough with milk and frying them and dipping them in syrup. A popular Hannukah and Diwali dessert. Here’s how to make them.
Recipe
Four glazed doughnuts stacked on top of each other, two with chocolate glaze, 2 with vanilla glaze
Lara Ferroni
6 of 11

Glazed Doughnuts

These glazed doughnuts are light, fluffy, and just sweet enough without being cloying. I urge you to use a glaze to make them as gloriously nostalgic as possible.
Recipe
Apple Fritters.
Ellen Silverman
7 of 11

Autumn Apple Fritters

Autumn apple fritters are great for brunch or alongside ice cream. The secret ingredient of beer deepens the flavor of the fritters.
Recipe
Indian Fried Dough Jalebi stacked on a table.
8 of 11

Indian Fried Dough ~ Jalebi

This jalebi recipe, an Indian fried dough traditionally made for Diwali, looks and tastes a lot like funnel cakes and is sticky and sweet. Make sure to let the dough rest for the best results.
Recipe
Easy Jewish Hanukkah doughnuts and doughnut holes covered with sugar, on a metal cookie sheet.
Catherine Gratwicke
9 of 11

Easy Jewish Hanukkah Doughnuts

This recipe for easy Jewish Hanukkah donuts makes light, sugar-dusted doughnuts and doughnut holes. They're so good–they're perfect for any denomination.
Recipe
A child holding a malassadas, or Portuguese doughnut, in a paper napkin.
David Leite
10 of 11

Malassadas | Portuguese Doughnuts

These malassadas, or Portuguese doughnuts are an irresistible dessert made with fried dough that's coated in cinnamon sugar. They're a treat that harkens back to my childhood.
Recipe
Two metal baskets lined with paper, each with three Jamaican fried dough fritters, or festival.
Dani
11 of 11

Jamaican Fried Dough | Festival

They’re also known as Jamaican fried dumplings, fried dough, cornbread fritters, or fried cornbread. In Jamaica, they’re simply known as festival. They’re best eaten right after it’s made, while still hot.
Recipe



About David Leite

David Leite has received three James Beard Awards for his writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.


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