Pestiños - Traditional Spanish Sweet Fritters

Ingredients

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) white wine 1/2 cup (120ml) white wine
• 1/4 cup (60ml) anise liqueur 1/4 cup (60ml) anise liqueur
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup (340g) honey 1 cup (340g) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 37g, 18g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, olive oil, white wine, anise liqueur, and salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms.
2. 2.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and let them rest for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough into a thin sheet.
4. 4.
   Cut the dough into diamond shapes, approximately 2 inches in length.
5. 5.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
6. 6.
   Fry the diamond-shaped dough pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels.
7. 7.
   In a separate saucepan, combine the honey, water, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
8. 8.
   Remove the cinnamon stick and pour the hot honey syrup over the fried Pestiños, ensuring they are fully coated.
9. 9.
   Allow the Pestiños to cool and soak in the syrup for at least 1 hour before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Olive oil — Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor in the dough.
• Anise liqueur — If you prefer a milder anise flavor, you can reduce the amount of liqueur or omit it entirely.
• Honey — Opt for a floral and mild honey variety to complement the flavors of the Pestiños.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispy texture, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the Pestiños.
• Allow the Pestiños to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container to maintain their crispiness.
• For a festive touch, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the Pestiños before serving.

Serving advice

Serve Pestiños at room temperature as a delightful sweet treat alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee. They are perfect for sharing during festive gatherings or as a special indulgence after a delicious Spanish meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Pestiños on a decorative platter, drizzle some additional honey syrup over them, and garnish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few lemon zest strips for an elegant presentation.