Luqaimat — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

Golden, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside fried dough balls drizzled generously with date syrup or honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds — Qatar's most beloved sweet treat.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Pinch of saffron in 1 tbsp warm water
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Oil for deep frying
Date syrup (dibs) for drizzling
Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1 Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and cardamom in a bowl. Add saffron water, warm water, and oil. Stir until a thick, sticky batter forms.
2 Cover the batter and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until doubled and bubbly.
3 Heat oil for deep frying to 175°C. Wet your hand, pinch off small portions of batter, and drop into the hot oil.
4 Fry the dumplings for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown and puffed up.
5 Drain on paper towels, pile onto a serving plate, drizzle generously with date syrup, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Did You Know?

During Ramadan in Qatar, street vendors selling fresh luqaimat attract long queues, and the sizzle of frying batter becomes a soundtrack of the holy month.