A wonderfully authentic recipe for “Castagnole”, an Italian Fried Dough Balls recipe . These are perfect morsels of dough fried to golden brown perfection.
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A few years ago, Frederick and I had the pleasure of going to Rome. I can’t remember falling in love with a city the way I fell in love with Rome. There is so much love and culture to be celebrated there. From the architecture and celebrated art to, of course, the food, I can see why I fell quick and hard.
When I received my talented friend Kristina Gill’s cookbook Tasting Rome, my love reignited in such a beautiful way. I knew that whatever I attempted to make would be very authentic. Being that desserts are my love language, I went straight for the Castagnole.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: Your dough’s best friend and the foundation for these golden nuggets of joy.
- Eggs: They’re not just for breakfast; these bad boys bring the bounce to your dough balls.
- Baking Powder: This little leavener adds the puff to the stuff that makes these balls so lush.
- Pinch of Baking Soda: Just a hint to make sure your dough rises to the occasion.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Squeezed from the sunniest oranges, it’s like a citrus kiss in your mix.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: That zesty spritz that winks at you with every bite.
- Sambuca: The Italian stallion of liqueurs, giving a hint of anise that’ll have your taste buds saying “Grazie!”
- Sugar: Sweet, sweet sugar—not just for the coating but for that sweet little secret in the dough.
- Vegetable Oil: Mixed into the batter for a moist and tender crumb, then hot and ready for frying.
- Whole Milk: Creamy goodness that mingles with your dough for the softest, most tender bite.
- Neutral Oil for Frying: The splashy pool where these dough balls get their sizzle on.
How to Make Italian Fried Dough
- Mix the flour, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, orange juice, lemon juice, Sambuca, sugar, vegetable oil, and milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- In a small pot or cast-iron skillet, heat 2 1/2 inches of neutral oil to 350F over medium heat. Using a teaspoon or small ice cream scoop, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then carefully scrape it off with a second teaspoon into the hot oil.
- Cook the castagnole in batches of four or five for about 4 minutes, until a deep golden brown. Halfway through cooking, they will turn themselves over in the oil. Take care not to overcrowd the pan.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined tray or plate to drain, then roll them in sugar while they are still hot so that the sugar sticks.
How to Store
Castagnole are best eaten the day they are prepared, but they will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.
Other Amazing Fried Dessert Recipes
- Fried Oreos
- Funnel Cakes
- Red Velvet Funnel Cakes
- Strawberry Shortcake Funnel Cakes
- Pumpkin Fritters
- Peach Fritters
- Apple Fritters
- Beignets
- Blueberry Glazed Doughnuts
Castagnole (Fried Dough Balls)
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Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch baking soda
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice from 1/2 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons Sambuca
- 5 tablespoons sugar plus more for coating
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Neutral oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the flour, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, orange juice, lemon juice, Sambuca, sugar, vegetable oil, and milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- In a small pot or cast-iron skillet, heat 2 1/2 inches of neutral oil to 350F over medium heat. Using a teaspoon or small ice cream scoop, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then carefully scrape it off with a second teaspoon into the hot oil.
- Cook the castagnole in batches of four or five for about 4 minutes, until a deep golden brown. Halfway through cooking, they will turn themselves over in the oil. Take care not to overcrowd the pan.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined tray or plate to drain, then roll them in sugar while they are still hot so that the sugar sticks.
Notes
- Castagnole are best eaten the day they are prepared, but they will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.
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I loved these as a kid. I haven’t had them in a long time. I can’t wait to make them. I would love this book to share with my grandchildren!!
Amazing! Can’t wait to make these! ALL of your recipes are top notch!
I can’t wait to give these castagnoles a try!!!! They made my mouth water so much that I needed a hankie, LOL Your food always makes me want to get off my hind end & in the kitchen & give your recipes my best shot @ making whatever I’m drawn to @ first sight. Thanks for sharing with all That has found your site
Made this recipe for the first of many times tonight. Light and not greasy, I even liked them plain, before they had a chance to make it into the sugar. I would love a new cookbook full of recipes as yummy as this 🙂 Skester816@gmail.com
My Grandma and Aunts made these. This sure brings back memories of holiday gatherings. I, myself, haven’t made these in years but will sure attempt them this week. I was fortunate enough to visit Italy years ago and had made plans to revisit when good ole Covid came along. Hopefully we can reschedule soon and re-visit our family there and all the wonder sites in Italia!
do i have to use sambuca can I substitute with anise extract . I am Italian I have never heard or tasted these before.
Thank you for this recipe! I plan to make it this weekend for my husband and stepdaughter. I was in Italy many years ago and this recipe brings back so many lovely delicious memories! Many thanks!
Think my mom and grand mom made these when I was a
Kid .
I haven’t rated them in 50 years!
Thanks for helping me retrieve an incredible recipie