Baursak (Kazakh Fried Dough Puffs)
Local name: бауырсақ
In short: Golden, airy fried dough puffs made with milk and yeast, served warm with tea, honey or jam at every Kazakh celebration. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Baursak are the puffy golden pieces of fried yeast dough that appear at every Kazakh table, from weddings and birthdays to a simple afternoon tea. The dough is soft and slightly sweet, cut into squares or diamonds and fried until it swells and turns deep gold. Baursak are eaten warm with butter, honey, jam or sour cream, and they are part of the welcome for guests. Fry in hot but not smoking oil so they puff evenly.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the warm milk, egg and melted butter and stir to a dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until soft, smooth and slightly tacky.
- Cover and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 1 cm (1/2 in) thick. Cut into 4 cm (1 1/2 in) diamonds or squares.
- Cover the pieces and rest for 15 minutes, until they look slightly puffy.
- Heat 5 cm (2 in) of oil in a deep pot to 170°C (340°F). Fry 8 to 10 pieces at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning them, until puffed and deep golden.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with tea, honey, jam or sour cream.
Tips
- Keep the oil between 165°C and 175°C (330°F and 345°F). If it is too hot, the outside browns before the inside cooks, and if it is too cool the baursak turn greasy.
- Replace 100 ml of the milk with sour milk or kefir for a slightly tangier, softer dough.
Questions and answers
Can I make baursak ahead of time?
They keep for 2 days in an airtight container. Refresh them in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 5 minutes, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Why didn't my baursak puff up?
The dough may not have risen enough, or the oil was too cool. Make sure the dough doubles and the oil is at 170°C (340°F).
What do you serve with baursak?
Hot tea, butter, honey, jam or sour cream. They are also served beside soup and as part of a celebration table.
How long does it take to make Baursak (Kazakh Fried Dough Puffs)?
About 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Baursak (Kazakh Fried Dough Puffs)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
