Zeppoles In A Turkey Fryer: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Zeppole, the Italian-American festival food, is a delicious treat that can be made at home. The process is simple: prepare the dough, shape it into small balls, and fry until golden. While the dough is resting, preheat your turkey fryer to 370°F (182°C). Once the oil is hot, carefully place the zeppole into the fryer in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for around 3 minutes, or until golden brown, then remove and drain on paper towels. Finally, toss the zeppole in powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or cinnamon sugar for a sweet finish. Enjoy your homemade zeppole, fresh from the fryer!

Preparing the dough

To make the dough for zeppoles, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Yeast
• Water
• Olive oil

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, salt, olive oil, and yeast. It is important to ensure that the water is not too hot, as this can kill the yeast. Wait until the yeast starts to froth, which should take around 10-15 minutes.

Next, add in the flour and mix well. You can do this with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place. The rising time will vary depending on the recipe, but it is usually around 1-2 hours.

Some recipes also include eggs and milk in the dough mixture. If you are using a recipe that includes these ingredients, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, and yeast in a separate bowl before adding the flour and other dry ingredients.

Once your dough has risen, it is time to start shaping the zeppoles. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on a tray lined with parchment paper and let them rest for another 30 minutes. This will allow the dough to rise and become fluffy.

Now your dough is ready to be fried!

Shaping the zeppoles

Step 1: Form the Dough into Small Balls

Roll the dough into small balls, roughly 1 inch in diameter. This can be done by hand or using a small cookie scoop. If you are shaping the zeppoles by hand, make sure to use oiled hands or dip your hands in a small amount of flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Place the shaped dough balls onto a tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rest

Once all the dough has been shaped, it's important to let it rest. This step is crucial as it allows the dough to rise and become fluffy. Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This will ensure that your zeppoles have a light and airy texture.

Step 3: Preheat the Turkey Fryer

While the dough is resting, preheat your turkey fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 350-375°F (182-190°C). It's important to achieve the right oil temperature for frying, as this will ensure your zeppoles cook evenly and have a crispy exterior.

Step 4: Fry the Zeppoles

Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, it's time to fry the zeppoles. Carefully place the dough balls into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the fryer. Depending on the size of your fryer, you may need to cook the zeppoles in batches. Fry the zeppoles for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon or a spider to carefully flip and remove them from the oil.

Step 5: Drain and Toss in Toppings

Place the fried zeppoles on a plate or tray lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil. While they are still warm, toss the zeppoles in your desired toppings. Traditional toppings include powdered sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar, or a combination of these. You can also fill the zeppoles with sweet cream, custard, or even Nutella for an extra indulgent treat.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Zeppoles are best enjoyed fresh and warm, so serve them immediately after frying. They can be served as a sweet treat or a savory snack, depending on your preference. For a classic Italian festival experience, place the zeppoles in a paper bag, add some extra toppings, fold the top, and shake well before eating.

Frying the zeppoles

Step 1: Prepare the Oil

Firstly, you'll need to select an appropriate oil for frying. Vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or any neutral-flavoured oil with a high smoke point are ideal choices. Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with enough oil to reach a depth of about 3 inches. Using an oil or candy thermometer is highly recommended to monitor the oil's temperature accurately. Heat the oil to 370°F (188°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

While the oil is heating, it's time to prepare the zeppole dough. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, yeast mixture, and olive oil. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours. This resting period is crucial for the dough to develop flavour and achieve the desired fluffy texture.

Step 3: Form the Zeppoles

Once the dough has risen, it's time to shape the zeppoles. Using oiled hands or two spoons dipped in oil, take about 2 tablespoons of dough and gently place it into the hot oil. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this will cause the oil temperature to drop. Depending on the size of your pan, fry 4-6 zeppoles at a time.

Step 4: Fry the Zeppoles

Fry the zeppoles for approximately 3 minutes total, or until they are golden brown and puffy. Use a slotted spoon or a spider (a type of skimmer) to gently turn them over halfway through the frying process to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from golden to burnt very quickly.

Step 5: Drain and Cool the Zeppoles

When the zeppoles are golden brown all over, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider and place them on a plate or tray lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil. It's important to blot away the excess oil to ensure the zeppoles are not greasy. Allow the zeppoles to cool slightly before proceeding to the next step.

Step 6: Coat with Powdered Sugar

Place a generous amount of powdered sugar in a large bowl. While the zeppoles are still warm, gently toss them in the bowl to coat them evenly with the sugar. Alternatively, for a more traditional presentation, place the zeppoles in a paper bag, add a generous amount of powdered sugar, fold the top of the bag, and shake well. This will give you that authentic Italian festival experience!

And there you have it! Your homemade zeppoles are now ready to be devoured. Zeppoles are best enjoyed fresh, so indulge in their warm, fluffy goodness as soon as possible. You can also experiment with different toppings or fillings, such as cinnamon, custard, or Nutella, to create your own unique variations.

Choosing toppings

Zeppole are typically topped with powdered sugar, but there are many other toppings and fillings you can use to elevate your zeppole.

For a classic zeppole experience, place your zeppole in a paper bag with powdered sugar and shake until well coated. This is how they are traditionally served at Italian-American festivals. If you don't have a paper bag, you can place your zeppole in a bowl and toss them with powdered sugar.

You can also experiment with different types of sugar. Granulated sugar can be used instead of, or in addition to, powdered sugar. For a more complex flavour, mix in some cinnamon with your sugar of choice. For a crunchy texture, roll your zeppole in cinnamon sugar.

For a sweet treat, try drizzling your zeppole with chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, or honey. You can also fill them with a sweet cream or custard, jelly, cannoli cream, or even Nutella. For a true Italian experience, serve your zeppole with espresso or strong coffee.

If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some lemon zest or orange extract to your zeppole dough. You can also get creative with different toppings and fillings, such as jam, cheese, or sardines.

No matter what toppings or fillings you choose, zeppole are sure to be a delicious treat that your family and friends will love.

Serving suggestions

Zeppole are best served fresh and warm, straight out of the fryer. They are typically consumed straight out of a paper bag, dusted with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or a combination of sugar and cinnamon. You can also place the zeppole and powdered sugar into a paper bag, fold the top, and shake until well coated.

Zeppole can be served as a sweet or savoury snack. For a sweet treat, you can dust them with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or cinnamon sugar, or drizzle them with chocolate sauce, honey, or strawberry sauce. You can also fill them with whipped cream, jelly, cannoli cream, custard, sweet cream, or ricotta cheese. For a savoury option, zeppole can be served with sardines or filled with cheese and served with marinara sauce.

Zeppole are typically eaten as a snack or for breakfast, often served with espresso or strong coffee. They are a popular treat at Italian festivals and street fairs and are commonly found at Italian-American festivals in the New York metro area.

Frequently asked questions