Italian Ricotta doughnuts Recipe
Delight in these light and fluffy Italian Ricotta Doughnuts, featuring a tender ricotta cheese batter infused with fresh orange zest and juice. Fried to a golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar, these doughnuts offer a perfect balance of citrus aroma and creamy texture, ideal for a sweet breakfast treat or an indulgent snack.
- Author: Logan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 loosely packed cup Italian 00 flour or all-purpose flour (130g)
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
Wet Ingredients
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (250g)
- 2 large eggs
For Frying and Serving
- 35 fluid ounces sunflower oil (4 cups / 1 litre)
- Powdered sugar (icing sugar), for dusting
- Heat the oil: Heat the sunflower oil in a heavy-based pot until it reaches 355°F (180°C). Prepare a plate lined with paper towels for draining the doughnuts after frying.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta cheese, orange zest, and orange juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold together gently to form a smooth and sticky dough.
- Fry the doughnuts: Using a tablespoon, carefully drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil in batches of 3 to 4 doughnuts at a time. Fry each doughnut for about 5 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown, turning as needed for even cooking. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve: Once the doughnuts have cooled slightly, dust generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use Italian 00 flour if available for a lighter texture, otherwise all-purpose flour works well.
- Maintain the oil temperature at around 355°F (180°C) to ensure doughnuts cook evenly and absorb minimal oil.
- Do not overcrowd the pot when frying to prevent the temperature from dropping.
- These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Orange zest and juice add a lovely citrus note; you can substitute with lemon zest and juice if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut (approx. 60g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Italian doughnuts, ricotta doughnuts, orange zest, fried dough, sweet snack, Italian dessert