Homemade Struffoli Recipe (2024)

Published December 2, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Learn how to make this classic Italian Homemade Struffoli Recipe, delicious fried dough balls coated in a sweet honey syrup. This is the perfect dessert to serve up for the holidays.

Is there anything better than a tasty homemade sweet treat after an amazing meal? It’s pretty much a must-have in our house. If your family is similar, you must try my Apple Pie or Creme Brulee.

Struffoli

Struffoli is a traditional Neopolitano dessert consisting of sweet fried dough balls that are crunchy on the outside but soft in the middle and are often tossed with honey and molded into a specific shape like a ring or a mound. They’re a smaller version of a classiczeppole recipe.

While popularly Italian, the original root word struffolo is Greek,stróngylos,which means “round in shape.” Italy imported this recipe back in the Greek Magna Grecia era, so it’s been around for a long time.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Flour – I prefer to use Italian 00 flour. However, if you have trouble finding it, you can substitute it with bread flour.
• Citrus – The zest of an orange and a lemon is incredibly classic in this recipe.
• Leavening Agent – I use baking powder, but I have also seen many recipes use baking soda.
• Fat – Classically, lard is used, but you can use unsalted butter.
• Eggs – Large cold or room temperature eggs will work.
• Sugar – You will use regular granulated sugar in the dough and the finishing syrup.
• Salt – I always use sea salt in my cooking and baking recipes.
• Anise Liqueur – Anisette or Sambuca or great to use. If you have no access to these, you can try rum, or for a liquor-free recipe, use 1 teaspoon of anise extract and ¼ cup of cold water.
• Honey – This is used in syrup.
• Vanilla – Fresh vanilla beans are preferred, but you can use 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract as a substitute.

How to Make Struffoli

Mix the flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and orange zest on a clean surface until combined.

Next, cut in the fat using a pastry blender or, better yet, your fingers, like in my S cookies recipe, to make sure it is mixed in with the dry ingredients and no bigger than the size of couscous.

Form a well in the center for the flour.

Add the eggs and anise liqueur and whisk together using a fork in the well.

Start to bring in the dry ingredients with the fork to combine.

Using a bench knife or your hands, bring the ingredients together.

You may need 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if it’s too dry or 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour if it’s too wet.

Knead the dough for at least 5 to 7 minutes, but I recommend doing it for 10 to 12 minutes.

When finished, the dough should be smooth and soft. Transfer it to a bowl and cover it in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a clean surface and divide the dough into 4 big pieces.

Individually roll them out using your hands into long ropes about ½” thick.

Then simply using a knife or abench knife (Aff link), cut them into small pieces.

Coat the dough balls in a little flour and mix.

Fry the dough balls in batches in your favorite neutral-flavored oil heated to 350° for only 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned while occasionally stirring it to ensure all sides are brown.

Set them to the side on paper towels to drain.

In a large-size pot, over low heat, add the honey, sugar, and vanilla beans while stirring with a spoon until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the fried dough balls to the honey and sugar mixture and coat by mixing with a spoon or rubber spatula.

Transfer to a plate and garnish with a sprinkle and any citron you may want. Serve.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 day ahead of time.

How to Store:Keep them covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator covered for up to 3 days.This will not freeze well. I recommend reheating them slightly before serving, so they soften up a bit.

More Dessert Recipes

• Ricotta Cheesecake
• Blueberry Pie
• Apple Fritters
• Olive Oil Cake
• Torta Caprese