Fried Sweet Dough Balls Recipe – Turkey Special
Indulge in a beloved Turkish dessert with this fried sweet dough balls recipe, where golden, airy dough puffs are deep-fried until crispy and then drenched in fragrant sugar syrup. Whether you enjoy it at home or crave that authentic street-food sweet experience, these Lokma balls deliver irresistible flavor in every sticky bite.
- Prep Time1 hr 20 min
- Cook Time25 min
- Total Time1 hr 45 min
For the Dough:
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
- 1 egg
For the Syrup:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil
Make the Dough:
Mix yeast, warm water, and sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
Add flour, salt, milk, and egg to the yeast mixture. Stir to form a sticky dough. Cover and let rise for 1-1.5 hours.
Make the Syrup:
Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and cool.
Fry the Dough:
Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil and fry until golden (3-4 minutes).
Soak in Syrup:
Once fried, immediately place the dough balls in the cooled syrup for 2-3 minutes, then remove and serve.
Recipe Notes:
These are a delightful make-ahead treat—prepare the dough and fry ahead of time, then gently reheat before soaking in syrup for freshness.
A perfect shareable dessert—serve warm in a large bowl so everyone can grab a syrupy Lokma to enjoy.
Try this syrup-soaking tip: always add the hot-fried dough balls into completely cooled syrup so they absorb maximum sweetness without getting soggy.
