Langoși (Romanian Fried Dough with Garlic, Sour Cream and Cheese)
In short: Puffy fried dough topped with garlic water, sour cream and grated cheese, the Romanian fair and seaside snack best eaten hot. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 445 kcal
Langoși are puffy discs of yeast dough fried in hot oil until golden and blistered, then topped while still hot. In Romania the classic topping is garlic water, sour cream and grated cheese, and you find them at fairs, mountain resorts and seaside stands. The potato in the dough keeps the inside soft, and the crust stays crisp for a few minutes only, so eat them right away.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the mashed potato, milk and the 2 tbsp oil. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Stir the crushed garlic into the warm water and let it steep while the dough rises.
- Oil your hands and the work surface. Divide the dough into 8 pieces of about 110 g (4 oz), shape each into a ball, cover and rest for 15 minutes.
- Pour oil into a wide skillet to a depth of 2 to 3 cm (1 in) and heat it to 175°C (350°F).
- Stretch one ball on oiled hands or an oiled surface into a disc 15 to 18 cm (6 to 7 in) wide, thicker at the rim and thin in the center. Lay it carefully into the oil.
- Fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, until deep golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels. Fry the rest, 1 or 2 at a time.
- While still hot, brush each langos with the garlic water, spread with sour cream and scatter with cheese. Serve immediately.
Tips
- Oil your hands and the surface instead of dusting with flour. Extra flour dries the dough and burns in the frying oil.
- For a sweet version, skip the garlic topping and dust the hot langoși with powdered sugar, or spread them with jam.
Questions and answers
Where are langoși eaten in Romania?
They are especially popular in Transylvania and at fairs, mountain resorts and seaside stands across the country. The garlic, sour cream and cheese topping is the classic.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. After the first rise, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes, then shape and fry.
Can I bake langoși instead of frying?
You can bake them at 230°C (450°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, but they will taste more like flatbread. The blistered, crisp-chewy crust comes from frying.
How long does it take to make Langoși (Romanian Fried Dough with Garlic, Sour Cream and Cheese)?
About 55 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Langoși (Romanian Fried Dough with Garlic, Sour Cream and Cheese)?
About 445 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 445 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
