Loukoumades
Active dry yeast and chopped walnuts come together in this Greek dessert — 60 minutes, 6 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 6 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and large pot. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Tree nuts
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Stir the yeast and sugar into the warm water and let it stand for about 10 minutes until foamy on the surface.
- Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl, pour in the yeast mixture, and beat into a smooth, thick, sticky batter, then cover and leave in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until bubbly and doubled.
- Warm the honey gently with a splash of water until pourable and runny, then set it aside to keep warm.
- Heat the frying oil to 170°C, then scoop up batter with a wet spoon or squeeze small portions from a wet hand and drop walnut-sized balls carefully into the oil.
- Fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning so they puff and color evenly to deep golden brown, then lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Pile the hot loukoumades onto a platter, drizzle generously with the warm honey, and finish with a heavy dusting of cinnamon and the chopped walnuts before serving at once.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Large pot · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Honey
- maple syrup · agave
What to serve with Loukoumades
- Garides Saganaki Seafood
- Moussaka Beef
- Stuffed Lamb Tomatoes Lamb
- Lamb and Lemon Souvlaki Lamb
Tips & common questions
How long does Loukoumades take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of honey?
Try maple syrup. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Loukoumades vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Original recipe — developed in-house by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Loukoumades is an original Greek recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: Loukoumades Greek Doughnuts with Walnuts and Honey.jpg by Alpha from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.