Zalabia (Lebanese Sweet Fritters)

Zalabia(Lebanese Fritters) 

 

Have you ever tried zalabia ? I guess every culture has their own fried dough specialties.  Zalabia (Lebanese sweet fritters) -  one of our favorite breakfast treats alongside Manakeesh - are traditional deep fried treats that are made of fermented dough - I call them a glorious affair. Simply because you can have them for breakfast with labneh and a cup of tea or dust them with some icing sugar and serve them as a dessert.  Any way you eat them, they are really great, though they may not be good for your waistline but will disappear from your table in no time.  Not to be confused with the zalabia in Egypt (the spongy fried balls soaked in sugar syrup).  The Lebanese version is totally different.

 

My sweet friend Didi of Dishin with Didi wrote a beautiful review of my book! Didi tried the zalabia  with a  tahini-honey dip, which she described in her post as "absolute heaven" - though tahini is closely associated with Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine, I have never thought of serving it with zalabia!! Sublime!!

 

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The star ingredient here is the anise seed that gives the zalabia a distinct flavor.  Anise seed is a spice native to the Middle East. It has a mild fragrant aroma and a sweet taste that is similar to licorice.

 

  A cup of tea with labneh and zalabia is a match made in heaven.  Serve them warm or at room temperature.  Like all fritters, they are best eaten the day they are made.  Happy eating!

 

 

Anise Seeds and Sesame Seeds

 
 
 
 
 
 
In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, dry yeast, sesame seeds, anise seeds, milk and oil.  Add the lukewarm water.  Mix and knead thoroughly with the palm of your hands.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for one hour or until the dough doubles in size.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for one hour or until the dough doubles in size.

 

 

 

 

 

Divide the dough into equal balls roughly the size of an egg (about 22 balls). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Roll each ball into a snack shape (about 15cm/6 inches long) with the palm of your hands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Using a rolling pin, lightly flatten each to 1.5 cm/ about ½ inch thick. With your finger, pierce creating 3 holes per dough.  Set aside for 25 minutes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Heat the oil to an adequate frying temperature and deep fry the dough in batches to a golden color.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

 

 

 

 

They look incredible, right? And they taste as they look!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 21/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons whole anise seeds
  • 1 tablespoon powdered milk
  • ¾ or 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 11/2 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 3 cups canola oil, for deep frying

 

Directions:

 

  1. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, dry yeast, sesame seeds, anise seeds, milk and oil.
  2. Add the lukewarm water.  Mix and knead thoroughly with the palm of your hands.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for one hour or until the dough doubles in size.
  3. Divide the dough into equal balls roughly the size of an egg (about 22 balls)
  4. Roll each ball into a snack shape (about 15cm/6 inches long) with the palm of your hands.
  5. Using a rolling pin, lightly flatten each to 1.5 cm/ about ½ inch thick.
  6. With your finger, pierce creating 3 holes per dough.  Set aside for 25 minutes.
  7. Heat the oil to an adequate frying temperature and deep fry the dough in batches to a golden color.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  8. Serve with Labneh

 

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Comments

admin's picture

After a long journey of writing recipes, food styling and photographing, all in preparation for my cookbook, (Hadia.....Lebanese Style Recipes) it is time to devote my attention to food blogging.  With time, I have turned my passion for cooking into a career, I now enjoy taking pictures of the food as much as I enjoy cooking. We feature on our blog scrumptious Lebanese, Middle Eastern and intrenational recipes.

Elisa's picture

Mahraba! by any chance could they also be baked?? I would like to make them a bit healthier ;)
Thanks so much!

admin's picture

Hi Elisa! Zalabia are typically fried, and baking them n the oven will give them a bread texture - you will lose the brown golden crisp exterior! I can understand, baking is much healthier, but it won't work for zalabia! Have a wonderful day!

Julie's picture

I've never heard of zalabia before but I love any fried dough. Served with powdered sugar would be delicious!

admin's picture

Thank you Julie! These treats are typically served for breakfast, adding icing sugar to them transform them to a delectable dessert! Xo xo

Mimi's picture

Can you use liquid milk if you do not have powdered? I have everything at home except powdered milk!!

admin's picture

Absolutely yes, Mimi! Use liquid milk instead of water, just warm it a bit before adding to the flour. Happy Eating!!

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Marhaba, and welcome to my blog! Discover the secrets behind the symphonies of flavor that make up Lebanese cuisine. Join my blog and take a sneak peak at my cookbook, Hadia... Lebanese Style Recipes .