Khanfaroush — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

Dense, golden fried donuts infused with cardamom and saffron, with a slightly chewy interior and crispy exterior. These traditional Qatari treats are dusted with sugar and served with Arabic coffee.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cardamom powder
Pinch of saffron in 2 tbsp warm milk
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup warm water
Oil for deep frying
Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1 Whisk together both flours, sugar, baking powder, and cardamom in a mixing bowl.
2 Add the egg, saffron milk, and warm water. Mix until a thick, smooth batter forms — it should be pourable but not runny.
3 Heat oil to 170°C for deep frying.
4 Drop tablespoons of batter into the hot oil and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown and cooked through.
5 Drain on paper towels and dust generously with powdered sugar while still warm. Serve with Arabic coffee.

Did You Know?

Khanfaroush are the traditional companion to gahwa (Arabic coffee) in Qatari hospitality — offering coffee without them would be considered incomplete.