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    Home » Recipes » Mediterranean Recipes

    Zalabya - Loukoumades Recipe

    Published: Nov 1, 2022 · by Radwa.

    Jump to Recipe

    Zalabya, Loukomades, or sometimes also called Lokma is a crispy Middle Eastern dessert made from balled-up fried dough drizzled with sweet syrup.

    Zalabya in a large serving plate.
    Jump to:
    • Zalabya - Loukoumades Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Zalabya (Loukoumades) - Step By Step
    • Recipe Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • More Middle Eastern Desserts
    • Recipe Card
    • Comments

    Zalabya - Loukoumades Recipe

    In my opinion, these fried donut holes will seem to taste bland if they aren't drizzled with syrup.

    However, once poured with the syrup, every serving will taste sweet! The texture, to be more precise, is crisp on the outside, but as you bit down, you can make out the fluffy inside of the dough.

    There are endless ways of serving this dish. I like to serve this dish as finger food for dessert or snack. It is super easy to serve and eat. Also, kids adore these fried balls drizzled with syrup

    Zalabya in a serving plate

    Ingredients

    Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    All-purpose Flour. We need all-purpose flour to build the structure of our little round shape Zalabya.

    Sugar. It will help activate the yeast into action. I also use sugar in making the syrup later on.

    Dried Active Yeast. We will have to use dry yeast to give the dough a rise. It is also enhances the dough's texture.

    Cornstarch. I used just 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.

    Warm Water. It helps mixing all the dry ingredients and activate the dry yeast.

    Dry milk. I used 1 tablespoon only. It helps the texture of the dough become moist and adds flavor as well.

    Baking Powder. Help to rise the dough.

    Oil. I used vegetable oil to fry the Zalabya.

    For the syrup: I used water, sugar, a few drops of lemon juice, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of honey to improve the syrup's consistency.

    To make this recipe vegan friendly use corn syrup instead of honey and skip the dry milk.

    Pistachio. Garnish with some crushed pistachios!

     Loukoumades in a serving plate

    How to Make Zalabya (Loukoumades) - Step By Step

    Make the syrup

    Step by step photo instructions collage for making the syrup

    One: In a saucepan, add sugar, water, lemon juice, honey and vanilla extract over medium heat, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let it cool down completely.

    Make the dough

    Two: In a mixing bowl, mix flour, salt, dry milk, dry yeast and baking powder until combined.

    Three: Gradually add the warm water until you have an elastic, rubbery batter.

    Tip: Make sure that the warm water you will be using for the dough will not be above 38C, 100F or else the dry yeast will no longer work.

    Four: Cover the bowl and let it rise for 60-90 minutes.

    Fry the dough

    Five: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

    Tip: Heat the oil thoroughly first before you put it in the dough, or else the dough will just stick to the bottom, ruining its texture and shape.

    Six: Brush a piping bag with some oil, then fill it with the batter.

    Seven: Pip about 1 inch of batter, and then cut with scissors; continue piping and cutting the dough.

    Eight: Flip into the other side to fry evenly until golden brown.

    Nine: Now, take the Loukoumades out of the oil and toss them into the cooled syrup, and strain them to remove excess syrup.

    Ten: Garnish with finely chopped pistachio, and serve!

    Recipe Variations

    • You can make chocolate syrup instead by adding melted chocolate to the syrup mixture.
    • You can also skip adding Zalabya in simple syrup and instead sprinkle with powdered sugar while hot.
    • Add cinnamon powder to the syrup mixture to add some warm flavor.
    • Add a few drops of rose water in the syrup for extra flavor.
    Loukoumades in a serving plate

    Serving Suggestions

    Enjoy this dessert by serving it on top of your favorite ice cream flavor!

    You can also serve this cute ball-shaped dish with Homemade Caramel Latte or orange juice!

    This dessert has an almost pastry-like taste which makes it an ideal pair for your dose of coffee. If you are fond of Nutella, you can just dip this dish into the bowl and enjoy the crisp, sweet, and chocolatey combination of it!

    Storage

    Make-ahead of Time: Make the dough 1-2 montes ahead of time and freeze it until you are ready to fry it.

    To store: I store leftovers for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Lokma a small bowl filled with crushed pistachio

    More Middle Eastern Desserts

    • Kunafa With Mango And Cream
    • Kahk El Eid
    • Baklava Rolls
    • Qatayef (Atayef)
    • Egyptian Basbousa Recipe (Semolina Cake)
    • Om Ali – Egyptian Bread Pudding Recipe
    • Mahalabia (Milk Pudding)
    • white chocolate brownies loaded with white chocolate.
      White Chocolate Brownies
    • Lazy Cake (no bake chocolate biscuit cake).
      Lazy Cake - Chocolate Biscuit Cake
    • Pumpkin bundt cake.
      Moist Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe
    • Cinnamon pie.
      Easy Cinnamon Pie Recipe

    Thank you for checking out my recipe! Don't forget to subscribe to the Newsletter to recipe all the latest recipes once published! You can also follow Healthy Life Trainer on Facebook and Pinterest.

    Recipe Card

    Zalabya in a serving plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Zalabya - Loukoumades Recipe

    Zalabya, Loukomades, also called Lokma is an easy middle eastern dessert made from balled-up fried dough soaked with sweet syrup.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Prep Time 1 minute minute
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 338kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Frying pan
    • Mixing bowl
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring cups

    Ingredients

    The simple syrup

    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup water

    For the dough

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon dry yeast
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon dry milk
    • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 ⅓ cups warm water
    • oil for frying the dough
    • 1 tablespoon crushed pistachio , (optional) for garnish

    Instructions

    Make the syrup

    • In a saucepan, add sugar, water, lemon juice, honey and vanilla extract over medium heat, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 10-15 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat, and let it cool down completely.

    Make the dough

    • In a mixing bowl, mix flour, salt, dry milk, cornstarch, dry yeast and baking powder until combined.
    • Gradually add the warm water until you have an elastic, rubbery batter.
    • Cover the bowl and let it rise for 60-90 minutes.

    Fry the dough

    • Heat about 2 inches of oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
    • Brush a piping bag with some oil, then fill it with the batter.
    • Pip about 1 inch of batter, and then cut with scissors; continue piping and cutting the dough.
    • Flip into the other side to fry evenly until golden brown.
    • Now, take the Loukoumades out of the oil and toss them into the cooled syrup, and strain them to remove excess syrup.
    • Garnish with finely chopped pistachio, and serve!

    Notes

    • Make sure that the warm water you will be using for the dough will not be above 43C, or else the dry yeast will no longer work.
    • The dough should have a moist texture instead of being dry. Dry dough will not rise once you fry it, giving you a hard and chewy Zalabya.
    • Heat the oil thoroughly first before you put it in the dough, or else the dough will just stick to the bottom, ruining its texture and shape.

    Variations

    • You can make chocolate syrup instead by adding melted chocolate to the syrup mixture.
    • Add a pinch of salt to your dough mixture to add taste.
    • Add cinnamon powder to the syrup mixture to add some warm flavor.
    Make-ahead of Time: Make the dough ahead of time and freeze it until you are ready to fry it.
    To store: Refrigerate for up to three days in an airtight container. It is not wise nor desirable to free this dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HealthyLifeTrainer or tag #healthylifetrainer!

    About Radwa

    Hi, I am Radwa! I've always been fond of food—seriously, it's my love language. I share my tried-and-true recipes and provide easy, step-by-step recipes that anyone can follow.

    Comments

    1. Mona says

      November 02, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I used to make it in Ramadan as a dessert.

      Reply
    2. Emma says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      Super delicious, Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Maria says

      November 01, 2022 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      I love them. However, I don't soak them in the syrup; I just drizzle it over them.

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Healthy Life Trainer

    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

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