Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough Sticks)
Local name: 油条
In short: Long, golden, hollow fried dough sticks, crisp outside and airy inside, the classic partner for congee and soy milk at a Chinese breakfast. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Youtiao are the long, puffy fried dough sticks eaten for breakfast across China, dipped into soy milk, torn into congee or wrapped in a rice roll. Two strips of dough are pressed together so they separate into a hollow, airy twist when they hit the hot oil. The dough is rested overnight, which relaxes the gluten and lets it stretch easily. Eat them within minutes of frying, while the outside still crackles.
Instructions
- Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar together. Add the oil and water and mix into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then cover and refrigerate overnight, or rest for at least 2 hours at room temperature.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly oiled surface and roll it into a rectangle about 16 x 32 cm (6 x 12 1/2 in) and 1 cm (3/8 in) thick. Cut it crosswise into 16 strips about 2 cm (3/4 in) wide.
- Stack the strips in pairs and press a chopstick lengthwise down the center of each pair, so the two strips stay joined.
- Heat the frying oil to 190°C (375°F) in a deep pot. Gently stretch one pair to about 25 cm (10 in) and lower it into the oil. It should puff within seconds.
- Turn the dough frequently with chopsticks and fry for about 2 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. Lift out and drain on a rack. Fry the rest in batches and serve hot.
Tips
- Keep the oil at 190°C (375°F). If it is too cool the youtiao turn greasy and flat, and if it is too hot they brown before the inside cooks.
- Reheat leftover youtiao in a 200°C (400°F) oven or air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back the crunch.
Questions and answers
Why are my youtiao not hollow?
The dough was probably too dry, not rested long enough, or the strips were not pressed together firmly. Give the dough a full overnight rest and keep it soft.
Can I bake or air-fry youtiao?
Air-frying at 190°C (375°F) for 8 to 10 minutes works, but the result is denser and less puffy. Deep-frying gives the classic airy texture.
What do you eat with youtiao?
Soy milk, congee or rice rolls. Many people dunk them into warm soy milk, or tear them up and stir them into rice porridge.
How long does it take to make Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough Sticks)?
About 40 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough Sticks)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
