Delightful Gluten-Free Fried Zeppole: Your Guide to Perfect Italian Doughnut Holes

Picture this: golden-brown, pillowy soft balls of fried dough, lightly dusted with sugar, ready to melt in your mouth. They might look like classic doughnut holes, but these are even more special – they’re our incredible Gluten-Free Fried Zeppole! And the best part? They’re completely gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful treat without compromise. Forget the label; the unparalleled taste and texture are what truly matter here, bringing a taste of authentic Italian tradition right to your kitchen, without any gluten.

Indeed, you can call these scrumptious fried delights by many names, depending on where your culinary heart lies:

If you hail from Italy, you’ll instantly recognize them as small, sweet zeppole. These traditional Italian pastries are a staple at festivals and celebrations, often filled with cream or simply dusted with sugar.
For those with Polish heritage (like my husband!), these would be reminiscent of mini pączki. While pączki are typically larger and often filled, the concept of a rich, fried dough pastry is a beloved part of Polish cuisine.
And let’s not forget our French friends, especially those with a connection to New Orleans. They would undoubtedly compare these round, airy treats to classic beignets, a beloved square-shaped pastry dusted with powdered sugar, famous for its light texture.

Regardless of what you choose to call them, these little fried balls of gluten-free dough promise an experience that is both authentic in flavor and wonderfully delicious. They are the perfect solution for anyone seeking a classic fried pastry without the gluten.

The Secret to Perfect Gluten-Free Zeppole: Brioche Dough

To achieve these delightful, airy zeppole, you’ll need one pound of our specially prepared Gluten-Free Brioche Dough. This specific dough is the foundation for approximately 20 zeppole, each measuring about 2 inches in diameter. Why brioche? Because its rich, buttery nature and tender crumb translate beautifully into a fried pastry, providing that signature light and fluffy texture, even without gluten. Using a pre-made batch of this dough significantly simplifies the process, making these fried treats surprisingly easy to whip up.

Mastering Gluten-Free Dough: Tips for Success

Working with gluten-free dough can sometimes be a bit different from traditional dough. One of the most important aspects for success with our brioche dough is having plenty of rice flour readily available. This dough tends to be quite sticky, so don’t be shy about generously sprinkling rice flour not only directly onto the dough but also onto your work surface and rolling pin as needed. Rice flour provides a delicate coating that prevents sticking without altering the dough’s final texture, ensuring a smooth rolling process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Frying Gluten-Free Zeppole

Let’s get those hands a little floury and start crafting our delicious zeppole!

Begin by dusting the surface of your prepared Gluten-Free Brioche Dough with a generous amount of rice flour. This initial dusting is crucial for easy handling.
Next, pull off a 1-pound portion of the dough, which should be roughly the size of a grapefruit.
Dust this portion with even more rice flour and quickly shape it into a smooth ball. The speed helps prevent it from becoming too sticky.
On a clean, flat surface that you’ve also floured with rice flour, roll out the dough ball to a uniform 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Consistency in thickness ensures even cooking.
As you continue to roll, keep adding rice flour as needed. This is your secret weapon against sticking, ensuring the dough moves freely.
Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, carefully cut the dough into individual round shapes. These will be your zeppole!
Gather up any excess dough, knead it gently back into a ball (adding more rice flour if necessary), and roll it out again. Repeat the cutting process until all the dough is used, minimizing waste.

Pro Tip: The Adjustable Rolling Pin

For those who love precision, I highly recommend this amazing adjustable rolling pin. It features color-coded discs on either end that allow you to easily set the exact required thickness. This tool takes the guesswork out of rolling, making for a precise and super easy rollout every single time – a real game-changer for consistent results!

Frying Your Gluten-Free Zeppole to Golden Perfection

While you’re shaping the dough, prepare your frying setup. Fill a sturdy saucepan or an electric deep fryer with at least 2 inches of neutral vegetable oil.
Bring the oil to the ideal frying temperature of 360° to 370°F (182° to 188°C). Use a reliable candy thermometer to monitor the temperature closely; consistency is key for evenly cooked zeppole.
Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. This will be your draining station, ready to absorb excess oil from your freshly fried treats. Having this tray prepared in advance is crucial, as the zeppole cook very quickly.

The zeppole will cook quickly, so it helps to have the tray ready to go.

Carefully drop four or five dough rounds into the hot oil. Avoid the temptation to add more!
It’s essential that they have plenty of room to float freely to the surface and expand.
Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will drop the oil temperature too quickly, leading to greasy zeppole that don’t rise properly.
After approximately 2 minutes, when they’ve puffed up and turned a light golden brown on the bottom, gently flip them over using a slotted spoon.
Continue to fry for another minute or until they are a beautiful golden brown on both sides, ensuring they are cooked through and evenly colored.

Give That Oil a Second Life…

On a sustainable note, the oil you use for frying your zeppole will be relatively clean. There’s no need to discard it after one use, especially when frying a simple dough like this.

Once the oil has completely cooled to room temperature, carefully pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean, tempered glass jar, like a Ball Jar. It’s vital to label it clearly as “Gluten-Free Oil” along with the date you first used it. This clear labeling is critical to prevent any potential cross-contamination when you reuse it, especially if you have strict gluten-free dietary needs in your household. This “gluten-free designated” oil can be re-used for another batch of zeppole at a later date, or perhaps for making crispy gluten-free french fries, or even chicken tenders. You get the idea – responsible and safe reuse!

For optimal freshness and to maintain its quality, store the sealed jar of used frying oil in the freezer for up to 2 months. If you’re looking for more expert advice on this topic, check out what the culinary gurus at Cooks Illustrated have to say about storing used frying oil efficiently and safely.

Once golden brown, use your slotted spoon to carefully remove the zeppole from the hot oil.
Transfer them immediately to the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain off any excess oil. This step helps keep them light and non-greasy.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining dough rounds until all your delicious gluten-free zeppole are fried to perfection.
As soon as they are drained, dust them generously with granulated sugar. The warmth of the zeppole will help the sugar adhere beautifully.
For the best experience, serve them immediately while they are still warm and irresistibly fresh.

Time to Enjoy Your Gluten-Free Fried Zeppole!

The moment you’ve been waiting for! While your zeppole are still wonderfully warm, roll these beauties generously in granulated sugar. The heat will help the sugar adhere and create a lovely sweet crust. Serve them immediately for the ultimate fresh-from-the-fryer experience.

For an extra touch of indulgence, offer a bowl of creamy Nutella for dipping. The rich hazelnut-chocolate spread is an absolutely divine pairing with the light, sweet zeppole. But don’t stop there! Feel free to get creative with other options. You could coat your zeppole with delicate powdered sugar for a softer sweetness, or try a warm cinnamon sugar mixture for a comforting spice blend. For a more gourmet touch, consider serving them with a side of raspberry compote, lemon curd, or even a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. The possibilities are endless for customizing these versatile treats!

Gluten-Free Fried Zeppole

Inspired by Gluten-Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day

You will need one pound of Gluten-Free Brioche Dough for this recipe.

Servings 20 fried zeppole

Author Rosemary Stelmach

Ingredients

16
ounces
prepared Gluten-Free Brioche Dough
(grapefruit-size portion)
rice flour, for dusting
neutral vegetable oil, for frying
granulated sugar, for dusting
Nutella, for serving
(optional)

Instructions

Dust the surface of the prepared Gluten-Free Brioche Dough with rice flour and pull off a 1-pound (grapefruit-size) piece. Dust the dough with more rice flour and quickly shape it into a ball.
On a flat floured surface, press or roll out the ball to a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. As you roll out the dough, add rice flour as needed to prevent sticking. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into round shapes. Gather up the excess dough and roll it out once again until all is used.
Meanwhile, fill the saucepan (or electric deep fryer) with at least 2 inches of oil. Bring the oil to 360° to 370°F as measured with a candy thermometer.
Carefully drop the dough rounds in the hot oil, four or five at a time, so they have plenty of room to float to the surface. Do not overcrowd or they will not rise properly. After about 2 minutes, gently flip them over with a slotted spoon and fry for another minute until golden brown on both sides.
Using the slotted spoon, remove the zeppole from the oil and transfer them to the lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining dough until all the zeppole are fried.
Dust generously with sugar and serve immediately while still warm.

Experience the Joy of Homemade Gluten-Free Zeppole

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating a beloved treat from scratch, especially one that accommodates dietary needs so perfectly. These gluten-free fried zeppole are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience—a bite of tradition, a moment of joy, and a testament to how delicious gluten-free baking can be. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a family gathering, or just a sweet craving, they are sure to impress. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and share the warmth and delight with your loved ones!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have personally experienced all of these products, and I recommend them because I have found them to be helpful and useful.

Craving More Gluten-Free Treats? Explore These!

If you loved these zeppole, you’re in for a treat with our other fantastic gluten-free recipes. From refreshing desserts to comforting baked goods, we’ve got something to satisfy every sweet tooth.