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.
Easy Raised Doughnuts ~ Cuddureddi
Cuddureddi. It means "a cause for celebration" if you're from Italy. Well, actually, it means "a sort of doughnut." Sorta the same thing. Beignets
Airy and yet dough at the same time, these iconic, anytime-of-day New Orleans pastries come buried beneath mounds of sweet, sweet confectioners' sugar. All we have to say is, don't wear black. Mini Funnel Cakes
Forget the state fair. You can have funnel cakes whenever you want. And as many as you want. Without asking your parents' permission. And they're as quick and easy as pancakes. Churros
Fried dough in any incarnation is something to get excited about. Though we're sorta partial to this particular cinnamon sugar-coated awesomeness. Indian Milk Fritters ~ Gulab Jamun
Have yourself a merry little Diwali or, as we like to think of it, a festival of ridiculous amounts of fried dough marvelousness. Glazed Doughnuts
Mmmmm...doughnuts. Ethereally fluffy, wonderfully drippy, homemade glazed doughnuts. What are you waiting for? Go make some. Light Apple Fritters
Beer, not cider, is the stealth ingredient in these rings of apple-y goodness. The malty hoppiness deepens the fritter's flavor, the carbonation ensures an ethereally airy texture. Nifty, eh? Indian Fried Dough ~ Jalebi
Just squiggle this easy peasy batter in oil, sizzle until golden, then dunk in an insanely sweet syrup. Frightfully, irresistibly good. Baos
Although these sweet Chinese orbs of fried goodness are pronounced "bow" as in "wow" and not "bow" as in that ribbon that bedecks a gift, we certainly think of them in gift-worthy terms. Easy Jewish Hanukkah Doughnuts
Don't let the name mislead you. These doughnuts are cause for celebration in and of themselves, regardless of one's occasion or denomination. Malassadas ~ Portuguese Doughnuts
Say olá to these Portuguese-style doughnuts from the Azores Islands, essentially crispy, puffy fried dough goodness. Jamaican Fried Dough ~ Festival
Slightly sweet and pleasantly dense, these Jamaican dumplings with the festive name are adept at accompanying all manner of spiced fare. HUNGRY FOR MORE?
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