Sfinz (Libyan Fried Dough Rings with Honey)
Local name: سفنز
In short: Soft, airy yeasted dough rings fried until golden and drizzled with honey or rolled in sugar. A Libyan street snack and Ramadan treat. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 480 kcal
Sfinz are the soft, puffy fried rings sold by Libyan street vendors, especially around Ramadan. The dough is wetter than bread dough, so the finished rings are light and airy inside with a thin golden crust. They are eaten warm with honey or sugar, and some stalls sell savory versions split and filled with egg. Making them at home takes patience with a sticky dough, but the result is worth it.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and beat with a wooden spoon or your hand for 5 minutes, until the dough is very sticky, stretchy and elastic.
- Cover the bowl and leave in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, until doubled and full of bubbles.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). Set a bowl of water next to you and oil your hands well.
- Wet your hands, scoop up a piece of dough about the size of a small egg, flatten it quickly and poke a hole through the middle. Stretch it gently into a ring about 8 cm (3 in) wide.
- Slide the ring into the oil and fry for 2 minutes per side, until puffed and deep golden. Fry 3 or 4 at a time.
- Drain on a rack, then drizzle with honey or toss in sugar. Serve warm with tea.
Tips
- Keep the dough soft and wet. A stiff dough gives dense, heavy rings, so resist adding extra flour when it sticks.
- Hold the oil near 175°C (350°F). Too cool and the rings soak up oil, too hot and the outside burns before the center cooks.
Questions and answers
What is sfinz?
A soft, yeasted fried doughnut eaten in Libya and its North African neighbors. In Libya it is sold from stalls and served with honey or sugar, and sometimes filled with egg.
Why are my sfinz heavy?
The dough was probably too stiff or the oil too cool. Keep the dough sticky, let it fully double, and fry at about 175°C (350°F).
Can I freeze sfinz?
Yes. Freeze fried, cooled rings for up to 1 month and warm them in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 8 minutes before serving.
How long does it take to make Sfinz (Libyan Fried Dough Rings with Honey)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sfinz (Libyan Fried Dough Rings with Honey)?
About 480 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 85 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 85 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 390 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
