Loukoumades, often referred to as Greek honey donuts, may seem intimidating to make. But they essentially are fried dough balls that are soaked in honey and topped with various toppings.
What are loukoumades? These are bite-sized desserts that are fried, soaked in syrup, and dusted with cinnamon or powdered sugar. Their origin could be Greek, but they’re popular all over the world. They’re a common treat during the holiday season.
Why make these donuts
- They are so simple and easy to make. And very quick too!
- There is no yeast. Which means you do not need to let the dough rise, shape, or proof, which can be a lengthy process.
- Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and Greek yogurt is also a staple in our home. Therefore, you can make them at any time.
- And they are deep-fried like the classic donuts. So, of course, they are as indulgent as any other deep-fried donut.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Greek yogurt – We use the Greek variety because it is thicker and has less whey compared to regular yogurt. If you use regular yogurt, you may need a little more flour for consistency. See my video for the right consistency.
- Sugar – These are, of course, sweet, but you can reduce the sugar by almost half if you want.
- Egg – I like using an egg because it does add a wonderfully rich texture to the dough. But you can also omit the egg and use additional yogurt.
- Vanilla – You can use vanilla extract, bean paste, or substitute some of the sugar for vanilla sugar.
Step-by-step: Loukoumades – Greek honey donuts
Dough
- Oil – In a saucepan or pot, heat the oil for deep frying over medium-low heat until it reaches 325F.
Pro tip – I like to use my cast-iron pot as it retains heat well, and I prefer to use my thermometer to ensure the oil is at the right temperature. - Dry ingredients – Combine the flour with baking powder and salt. And set aside.
- Dough – In a bowl, combine the egg, yogurt, vanilla extract, sugar, and flour. Use a whisk to ensure no lumps.
Pro tip – Make sure the oil is heating while preparing the donut batter so you don’t have to wait for the oil to come to the right temperature.
- Balls – Using two spoons or a cookie scoop, drop little balls of batter into the hot oil. If you’re not using a thermometer, dip a spoon in the oil; if bubbles form around the spoon, the oil is ready.
Pro tip – Dipping the cookie scoop initially in oil will prevent the batter from sticking to it. - Fry – Deep fry until golden. Use a perforated spoon to take them out on a paper hand towel to absorb the excess oil.
Pro tip – Depending on the size of the pot with oil, cook in small batches. Adding too many at once will lower the oil temperature and make the donuts soggy.
Honey syrup
- Syrup – In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, simmer the water, lemon juice, sugar, and honey until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cool until warm.
Pro tip – The syrup does not need to be very thick. It has a thin syrup consistency. - Dip – Drop the warm donuts in the honey syrup for just 30 seconds and take them out.
Pro tip – The donuts must not be soaking wet in the syrup. They must only absorb some of the syrup. - Drizzle – Place the donuts on a serving platter and drizzle with more honey.
- Fried Tiramisu Donuts or Tiramisu Doughnuts Sufganiyot
- Chocolate Glazed Donuts or Chocolate Doughnuts – Sufganiyah
- Dulce De Leche Donuts – Dulce De Leche Doughnuts Sufganiyot
- See all donut/doughnut recipes
Frequently asked questions
Donuts are best eaten on the day they are made. In fact, it is best to deep fry them just before serving. Leftovers can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you don’t want honey donuts, make the classic Greek donuts dusted with powdered sugar or jam.
Yes, you can fill these with jam or chocolate ganache by using a piping bag and a bismarck piping tip. Poke a hole with a skewer, then insert the piping tip inside and squeeze the bag to fill.
Loukoumades – Greek Honey Donuts
Loukoumades, often referred to as Greek honey donuts, may seem intimidating to make. But they essentially are fried dough balls that are soaked in honey and topped with various toppings.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) Flour
- 1½ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) Greek yogurt
- 1 large Egg
- ¼ cup (50 g) Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Cinnamon powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg fresh grated (optional)
- 1 ltr (4 cups) Cooking oil for deep frying
- 1 cup (240 ml) Water
- ½ cup (100 g) Sugar
- ½ cup (170 g) Honey
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 – 4 tbsp Honey for drizzling
Method
- Oil – In a saucepan or pot, heat the oil for deep frying over medium-low heat until it reaches 325F.1 ltr Cooking oil
- Dry ingredients – Combine the flour with baking powder and salt. Set aside.2 cups Flour, 1½ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Cinnamon powder, ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- Dough – In a bowl, combine the egg, yogurt, vanilla extract, sugar, and flour. Use a whisk to ensure no lumps.1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 large Egg, ¼ cup Sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Balls – Using two spoons or a cookie scoop, drop little balls of batter into the hot oil. If you're not using a thermometer, dip a spoon in the oil, if bubbles form around the spoon the oil is ready.
- Fry – Deep fry until golden. Use a perforated spoon to take them out on a paper hand towel to absorb the excess oil.
- Syrup – In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, simmer the water, lemon juice, sugar, and honey until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cool until warm.1 cup Water, ½ cup Sugar, ½ cup Honey, 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- Dip – Drop the warm donuts in the honey syrup for just 30 seconds and take them out.
- Drizzle – Place the donuts on a serving platter and drizzle with more honey.2 – 4 tbsp Honey
Notes
- Look for the right consistency of the dough.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt that is thick and creamy to achieve the right consistency.
- We do not want to activate the gluten in the dough so do not overmix the dough.
- Use a small cookie dough scooper and hold the scooper close to the oil before releasing otherwise it will create a splash.
- As the balls drop in the oil they will puff up and start to become more round in shape so don’t crowd the pan.
- Deep fry until the balls are a light golden brown. So, keep the oil temperature to no more than 350F
- Don’t make the honey syrup too thick, dip the donuts while the syrup is still so it will coat them lightly.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!- Best Fried Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
- Raspberry, Blackberry, or Strawberry Doughnuts
- Classic Jelly Donuts
Don’t lose this recipe! Save it for Later!
📌 Save this Recipe for later on Pinterest so you can easily find it again.
⭐ Add Veena Azmanov Kitchen to your Google Preferred Sources.
It helps Google show you more of our recipes.
📧 Subscribe for new recipes delivered to your inbox.
🎥 Follow us for more recipes
Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
I am in love with these honey donuts! My boys love it and I really enjoyed making it with them this weekend.
Thanks Sandhya
I’ve never heard of these type of donuts before but your recipe for them looks so tasty and has me wanting to try.
I just love these and get them at the local festival every year. But now I will make some. Thanks!
These donuts are finger-licking good, literally! It’s impossible to eat just one, it’s a great thing the recipe produces quite a few. This is a spectacular dessert and it was easy to make, thanks to your tips and detailed recipe. I will be making it again.
Thank you, Marie
Totally Wow! This donut recipe is just so delicious and yummy! Plus the add-ons honey make it even more tasteful and enticing! Totally love it!
Thank you, Jamie.
I made this today and my kids love it. Now, they are asking me to make this recipe again.
Thank you!
Thanks, Amy. My kids can never have enough of these. Honey!!
I love how easy these Greek honey donuts are to make. I tried out a small batch and they were divine. Going to make more for my family over the holidays.
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Jacqueline.
Oh my goodness! I made these for the family and they were a big hit, especially with the kids.
So easy to make and delicious. I will be making these again for sure.
Thank you, for the lovely feedback. Peter.
I had been looking for this recipe for years. So glad I finally found it. I’m making it this weekend. Can’t wait!
These remind me of little donut holes my baba used to make. So simple yet so delicious. The perfect little treat.