Air-Fried Zeppole: A Tasty, Healthy Treat?

Zeppole are Italian doughnuts or fried dough balls, usually served during festivals and special occasions. They are traditionally deep-fried and coated in powdered sugar, but you can also make them in an air fryer.

Air fryer zeppole are healthier, as they require a fraction of the oil and calories used in traditional zeppole. The hot air of the air fryer produces a crispy exterior without the use of oil, making them a tad healthier yet still delicious.

To make zeppole in an air fryer, you will need ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and yeast. The process involves shaping the dough into balls, placing them in the air fryer basket, and cooking them at a specific temperature for a set amount of time.

Air fryer zeppole are best served hot and fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two.

How to make zeppole in an air fryer

Zeppole, Italian doughnuts or fried dough balls, can be made in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for making zeppole in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar for dusting
• Cooking spray

Method:

First, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then, gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until fully combined.

Next, spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop tablespoons of the batter into the air fryer basket, making sure to leave enough space between them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the zeppole in batches.

Cook the zeppole for 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before dusting them with powdered sugar and serving.

Tips:

• For a simple twist, serve the zeppole with a powdered sugar and milk coating.
• For a healthier version, you can make the zeppole without any oil in the air fryer.
• For a more savory experience, try pairing them with a cheese platter.
• For a sweet and sticky coating, dip the zeppole in honey or maple syrup.
• To achieve the perfect texture, ensure your batter is not too thick or runny, similar to pancake batter.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to reduce the sugar content, consider using a sugar substitute or reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe.
• For a unique flavor, use peanut oil for frying.
• Experiment with different flavor combinations, such as adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.

Enjoy your homemade zeppole!

The ingredients you'll need

Zeppole, Italian doughnuts, can be made in an air fryer and are a simple dessert or a special morning treat. They are usually made with pizza or bread dough, softened with cooked russet potatoes, and sweetened with black raisins and powdered sugar.

• Flour: You can use either bread flour or all-purpose flour. If you have any leftover homemade pizza dough, you can easily use that instead.
• Potatoes: Russet potatoes are recommended due to their starchy, floury texture, which gives the dough a soft and light interior.
• Black raisins: These add a natural sweetness to the zeppole. If you're not a fan of raisins, you can substitute them with 2-3 tablespoons of sugar and optionally balance the sweetness with lemon zest.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast is recommended. You'll need to activate the yeast before adding it to the flour. It adds a unique fermented bread-like taste and fluffs up the dough.
• Oil: If you plan to fry the zeppole, you'll need about 1.1 litres of flavourless frying oil. However, if you're using an air fryer, you can make them without any oil.
• Powdered sugar: This is used for sprinkling or dusting over the zeppole after they're cooked.
• Additional ingredients: You can also add ingredients such as eggs, water or milk, butter or vegetable oil for frying, depending on your preference. Some people even fill their zeppole with Nutella, jam, or pastry cream.

With these ingredients, you can make delicious zeppole in an air fryer, a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried method.

Step-by-step instructions

Zeppole, Italian doughnuts or fried dough balls, can be made in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ¼ cup of powdered sugar for dusting
• Cooking spray
• Milk
• Egg

Method:

• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until fully combined.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
• Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop tablespoons of the batter into the air fryer basket, ensuring you leave enough space between them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the zeppole in batches.
• Cook the zeppole for 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
• Remove the zeppole from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Dust them with powdered sugar and serve.

Tips:

• For a simple twist, dip the zeppole in a mixture of powdered sugar and milk.
• For a more indulgent treat, fill the zeppole with curd, pudding, or jelly.
• If you prefer your zeppole on the sweeter side, add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar to the flour. You can also balance this out with the zest of one lemon.
• For a healthier alternative, use a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Storage:

Store any leftover zeppole in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 2-3 minutes.

How to store and reheat zeppole

Zeppole are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and leave them on the kitchen counter at room temperature for up to a day. For longer storage, place them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you're ready to reheat your zeppole, the oven is the best option to maintain their taste and texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each zeppole individually in aluminium foil to retain humidity and ensure even heating. Place the wrapped zeppole on a baking sheet and heat for 10 minutes if unfrozen, or for 45 minutes if frozen, or until they are fully warmed and have reached your desired texture.

You can also reheat zeppole in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the zeppole on a tray lined with parchment paper or foil, ensuring they don't touch or overlap. Reheat for 3-4 minutes for unfrozen zeppole, or 5-7 minutes for frozen ones, checking midway to ensure they don't overcook.

If you're short on time, you can also use a microwave. Place the zeppole on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 10-20 second intervals on medium power until warmed through. However, microwaving may affect their texture, making them soggy or overly soft. To avoid this, allow the zeppole to thaw for 6-8 hours before reheating, and use lower power settings.

Now you know how to store and reheat zeppole, you can enjoy these delicious treats any time!

Creative flavour variations

Zeppole are tiny Italian doughnuts that can be customised with a variety of creative flavour variations. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Filled Zeppole: Traditionally, Zeppole are often filled with custard, jelly, cannoli-style pastry cream, or a butter-and-honey mixture. However, you can get creative and fill them with Nutella, jam, or even savoury options like anchovies and cheese.
• Different Types of Sugar: While powdered sugar is the classic choice for topping Zeppole, you can experiment with other types of sugar such as coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar for a unique texture and flavour.
• Chocolate Sauce or Honey: For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle your Zeppole with chocolate sauce or honey. This pairs especially well with Zeppole filled with ricotta cheese and small pieces of chocolate or candied fruits.
• Lemon or Orange Zest: Add a zesty twist to your Zeppole by incorporating lemon or orange zest into the dough. This can help balance out the sweetness of the doughnuts and provide a refreshing flavour.
• Savoury Zeppole: While Zeppole are typically sweet, they can also be made savoury by filling them with fried bread dough and anchovies, a traditional combination in parts of Calabria and Malta.
• Vanilla, Almond, or Other Flavours: If you're making the Sfinge variation, which is a mixture of ricotta, sugar, and eggs with flour, you can experiment with different flavour profiles. Try adding vanilla, almond, or other extracts to the mixture for a unique twist.

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