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–+ servings
Frazelles
Frazelles are a savory Italian-style baked treat traditionally shaped like small doughnuts and often flavored with fennel seeds and black pepper. With roots in Southern Italian cuisine, these rustic snacks blend wine, oil, and yeast into a lightly spiced dough, then rolled and pinched into rings before baking. The name and form are reminiscent of taralli, but these are baked rather than boiled, offering a lighter texture. They're enjoyed with wine, cheese, or charcuterie, and serve as a beloved addition to holiday or everyday antipasti spreads.
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Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 24 donuts
Calories 105 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1¼ lb all-purpose flour (about 4 ¼ cups)
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 glass white wine (approx. ⅓ cup)
  • 4 oz vegetable oil
  • 1 cake fresh yeast (or 1 packet active dry yeast, dissolved in ¼ cup warm water)
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
  • Warm water as needed for dough texture

Instructions
 

Step 1: Mix the Dough

  • In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
  • Add wine, oil, fennel seeds, and pepper.
  • Stir in dissolved yeast mixture.
  • Gradually add warm water until dough is smooth and pliable.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

  • Cover dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape the Frazelles

  • Take small pieces of dough and roll into 3 ½ inch ropes.
  • Form into circles and pinch the ends together to create small doughnut shapes.

Step 4: Bake

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place dough rings on a cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and firm.

Tips

  • Use anise seeds if fennel seeds are unavailable for similar flavor.
  • Brush doughnuts lightly with oil before baking for deeper browning.
  • Add a tablespoon of sugar if you prefer a slightly sweeter dough.
  • Substitute white wine with water or milk if avoiding alcohol.
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a classic Calabrian-style savory kick.
  • After baking, lightly mist with olive oil for a softer exterior.
  • For crispier texture, bake the final 2 minutes with the oven slightly vented.
  • Add grated orange zest for a fragrant citrus variation.
  • These freeze well, reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 88mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked treats, fennel, heirloom, homemade, Italian doughnuts, traditional recipes, vintage recipe
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