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    Home » Breakfast

    Simple Doughnut balls

    Published: Oct 30, 2017 · Modified: Jul 5, 2020 by Marcellina

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    Doughnuts Balls are such a delicious treat food.

    These simple doughnut balls are fried until golden brown then rolled in sugar. A perfect little bite and so much easier than making regular doughnuts.

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    Nigerian puff puff

    I really don't think you can beat the traditional doughnut from the doughnut van - coated in cinnamon sugar and eaten warm from a paper bag. Just like in Venice during carnevale when frittelle are eaten in great quantities!

    Actually I just had one on the weekend at our annual town festival. Mums and dads were fundraising for a local high school, selling hot doughnuts for 50 cents each. A bargain!

    Nigerian Puff puff

    I know there are plenty of options of gourmet doughnuts from the many franchises though not in our regional area in North Queensland. In fact, on the flights from the capital city of Brisbane, many cradle boxes of fancy doughnuts as gifts for family and friends.

    These Doughnut Balls.

    This recipe is nothing like those doughnuts. In almost every country on earth, cooks and bakers fried dough and it quickly became that region's doughnut.

    These started off as Nigerian puff puff, a recipe from Greg Patent's book A Baker's Odyssey, but I have it from a reliable source (a Nigerian priest who sampled these) that traditionally Puff Puff are not coated in sugar but the doughnut itself was a hit. 

    Everyone who tried them, said their grandmother or nonna made the same type of doughnut. They all had warm, fuzzy feelings about THEIR doughnuts.

    Nigerian puff puff
    sugar coated golden brown balls.

    Simple Doughnut balls

    These simple doughnut balls are fried until golden brown then rolled in sugar. A perfect little bite and so much easier than making regular doughnuts. 
    NB: Nutritional information does NOT include quantity of oil used. This will vary slightly. Please use your own judgement.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Rising time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings:45 doughnuts
    Author: Marcellina

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups plain flour
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    • 1 - 1 ½ cups warm water
    • vegetable oil for frying
    • granulated sugar for coating
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    Instructions

    To make the dough

    • In a bowl mix together flour, yeast, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Stir in one cup of warm water. This should be a wet dough so you may need to add more water. Beat with a wooden spoon for 5 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1 ½ hours or until bubbly and well risen.

    To fry

    • Heat oil in a deep frypan (or deepfryer). Heat to 180C/360F. Line a baking tray with paper towels. Place sugar for coating in a shallow bowl. Use two teaspoons to form balls and carefully place in the hot oil. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until well browned and cooked through. Watch the doughnuts carefully so that they don't burn. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels before tossing through sugar. Best eaten fresh.

    Nutritional Information Per Serving

    Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this recipe? I'd love to see!Mention @marcellina.in.cucina or tag #marcellinaincucina

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    Ciao! I'm Marcellina!
    If you love food that is honest and true with Italian flavors then you've come to the right place!
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