Greek Loukoumades Recipe (Traditional Honey Donuts)

Greek Loukoumades are fluffy, bite-sized fried dough balls drenched in sweet honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts. Often called Greek honey donuts or honey puffs, these classic Greek desserts are crispy outside yet tender inside — perfect for festivals, celebrations, or cozy family desserts.

What Are Loukoumades?

Loukoumades (Greek: λουκουμάδες) are traditional fried dough balls popular throughout Greece and the Mediterranean. This recipes are made from a yeast-leavened batter that is deep-fried until golden brown, then soaked in honey syrup and often finished with cinnamon and chopped nuts for extra sweetness and texture.

These sweet treats are sometimes called Greek doughnuts because of their shape and flavor, but they are softer and more aromatic due to the honey-based syrup and aromatic spices like cinnamon.

Why You’ll Love This Loukoumades Recipe

• Crispy outside, fluffy inside
• Sweet honey-soaked Greek dessert
• Simple ingredients anyone can make
• Great for occasions or holiday desserts
• Perfect with cinnamon and crushed walnuts

Ingredients for Greek Loukoumades

🥖 For the Dough

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 15 g active dry yeast
• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

🍯 For Serving & Syrup

• ¾ cup honey
• Cinnamon powder (to taste)
• Chopped walnuts (optional garnish)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Greek Loukoumades

1. Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, mix the lukewarm water, milk, sugar, and yeast. Whisk lightly and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy — this shows the yeast is active and ready.

2. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast mixture, flour, salt, olive oil, and whisk until you get a smooth, sticky batter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot for at least 1 hour until doubled in size.

3. Heat the Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan or fryer and heat it over medium heat. To test if it’s ready, drop a tiny bit of batter — if it sizzles and rises slowly, your oil is at the right frying temperature.

4. Fry the Loukoumades

Using a spoon or your hand dipped in oil, drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches so they don’t stick together. Turn them with a slotted spoon until they’re golden brown on all sides.

5. Honey & Finish

Place the hot dough balls on paper towels to drain excess oil. Transfer them to a large serving plate and drizzle generously with honey. Sprinkle with cinnamon powder and chopped walnuts for crunchy, aromatic topping.

Tips for Perfect Loukoumades

✔ Let the dough rise fully for the fluffiest texture.
✔ Keep the frying oil at medium heat — too hot and they’ll brown unevenly.
✔ Drizzle honey while the donuts are warm so it soaks in perfectly.
✔ Add cinnamon and walnuts for traditional flavor and crunch.

Variations You Can Try

• Chocolate-drizzled Loukoumades: Swap honey for chocolate sauce
• Cinnamon sugar coating: After honey, roll in cinnamon sugar
• Nutella-filled loukoumades: Inject warm filling after frying

Serving Suggestions

Greek Loukoumades are ideal with hot coffee or tea, or as a finishing dessert after Greek classics like moussaka or souvlaki. They’re sweet, soft, and perfect for sharing!

Storage & Make-Ahead

✔ Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
✔ Reheat in an oven for best texture — microwave may soften them too much.