Petulla Recipe

Chef Nora Benson

8 Jun, 2023

Learn how to make traditional Albanian petulla with this simple recipe - crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfect for any occasion.

Petulla

Publisher: Lofty Recipes
Cuisine: American
Category: Snack
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Rest and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 150 calories

About this recipe

Petulla is a traditional Albanian dish that is essentially a type of fried dough. It's a popular breakfast or snack food in Albania and is often served with jam, honey, or cheese.

To make petulla, you start by mixing together flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Then, you add in some yogurt and water to form a smooth dough, which you then let rest for about 30 minutes.

After the dough has rested, you roll it into small balls, flatten them into disks, and then fry them in hot oil until they are golden brown.

The result is a crispy, savory dough that is slightly chewy on the inside. Depending on how big you make them, each piece of petulla is typically around 100-150 calories.

Petulla is a simple but tasty dish that is easy to make at home. It's a great option if you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast or snack idea, and you can customize it to your liking by choosing your favorite toppings to go with it.

Recipe origin and background

Petulla is a traditional Albanian dish that has been around for centuries. The origins of the recipe are not entirely clear, but it's believed to have been passed down through generations of Albanian families.

In Albanian culture, petulla is often served as a breakfast food or a snack, and it's a popular street food sold by vendors in markets and at festivals. It's also commonly made at home and enjoyed with family and friends.

Petulla is a simple and versatile dish that can be made with ingredients that are readily available, and it's often served with a variety of toppings, such as honey, jam, or cheese, depending on personal preference.

While petulla is most commonly associated with Albanian cuisine, variations of fried dough can be found in many cultures around the world, such as beignets in New Orleans, churros in Spain, and funnel cakes in the United States.

Why try this Petulla recipe?

It's easy to make: The recipe for petulla is simple and straightforward, and it requires just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
It's versatile: Petulla can be served as a breakfast food or a snack, and it's delicious with a variety of toppings, such as honey, jam, or cheese. You can customize it to your liking and make it as sweet or savory as you want.
It's a taste of Albanian culture: If you've never tried Albanian cuisine before, making petulla is a great way to experience a traditional dish from this culture. It's a dish that has been enjoyed by Albanian families for generations, and it's a great way to connect with the history and traditions of this culture.
It's comforting and satisfying: Petulla is a comfort food that's perfect for a lazy weekend morning or an afternoon snack. The crispy, savory dough is both filling and satisfying, and it's a great way to start your day or satisfy your hunger in between meals.

What does Petulla taste like?

The taste of petulla can be described as savory and slightly salty, with a crispy and slightly chewy texture on the outside, and a soft and fluffy texture on the inside.

When you bite into a freshly fried petulla, you'll notice that it's slightly greasy but not overwhelmingly so, and has a pleasant crunch that gives way to a doughy center.

Some people may also detect a slight tangy flavor from the yogurt in the dough, which adds a subtle richness and depth of flavor to the overall taste of the petulla. Depending on how you choose to serve your petulla (e.g. with jam, honey, or cheese), the taste can be further enhanced by the sweetness or saltiness of those accompaniments.

What is in Petulla?

All-purpose flour: This is the main ingredient for the dough. It gives the petulla structure and helps to bind all the ingredients together.
Baking powder and baking soda: These are leavening agents that help the petulla to rise and become fluffy.
Salt and sugar: These ingredients add flavor to the dough. The salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall taste.
Yogurt: This adds moisture and tanginess to the dough. It also helps to activate the leavening agents and makes the dough lighter and fluffier.
Water: This is used to hydrate the dough and bring all the ingredients together.
Oil: This is used for frying the petulla. You can use any type of oil that has a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
Honey, jam, or cheese (Optional): These are common toppings that are often served with petulla. They add sweetness or savory flavor and complement the taste of the dough.

Equipment required for this recipe

Mixing bowl: This is used to mix all the ingredients together to form the dough.
Spoon or spatula: This is used to mix the dough and make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
Frying pan or skillet: This is used to fry the petulla. You can use any type of frying pan or skillet, as long as it's deep enough to hold the oil and the petulla.
Slotted spoon or spatula: This is used to flip the petulla and remove it from the frying pan. A slotted spoon is preferable because it allows excess oil to drain off the petulla.

How to make Petulla

Looking for a delicious Albanian snack? Try making petulla! This quick and easy recipe yields crispy and flavorful fried dough balls in no time.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup water
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
Add the yogurt and water to the dry ingredients and mix well until a smooth dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
Take a small piece of dough, roll it into a ball, and then flatten it into a disk about 1/4 inch thick.
Carefully drop the disk into the hot oil and fry until it becomes golden brown on both sides. Repeat with the remaining dough, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Remove the petulla from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve the petulla warm with your favorite jam, honey, or cheese.

Enjoy your delicious homemade petulla!

How to serve Petulla

Sweet toppings: One of the most common ways to serve petulla is with sweet toppings, such as honey, jam, or powdered sugar. Simply drizzle the topping of your choice over the petulla and serve.
Savory toppings: If you prefer savory flavors, you can serve petulla with toppings like feta cheese, olives, or roasted vegetables. You can also dip the petulla in a savory sauce, such as tzatziki or hummus.
Plain: Petulla can also be served plain, without any toppings. The simple flavor of the dough is delicious on its own and can be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.
Stuffed: For a more filling meal, you can stuff the petulla with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, spinach, or meat. Simply cut the petulla in half, stuff it with your desired ingredients, and enjoy.

Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 589 reviews.

Recipe Tags: Petulla, Petulla Recipe, Recipe, Top rated

What to serve Petulla with

Petulla can be served as a standalone dish or as a side to complement other dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with petulla:

Soups and stews: Petulla can be a great accompaniment to hearty soups and stews, such as minestrone or lentil soup.
Salads: Petulla can also be served with salads, such as Greek salad or Caesar salad. The crispy texture of the petulla provides a nice contrast to the freshness of the salad.
Grilled meats and vegetables: Petulla can be served alongside grilled meats and vegetables, such as chicken, lamb, or grilled peppers and zucchini.
Dips and spreads: Petulla is perfect for dipping into a variety of sauces and spreads, such as hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush.
Breakfast dishes: Petulla can be a delicious addition to a breakfast spread, especially when served with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.

My recommendations and tips

Here are some recommendations and tips to help you make the perfect petulla:

Use fresh ingredients: The quality of the ingredients can greatly affect the taste and texture of the petulla, so make sure to use fresh ingredients.
Allow the dough to rest: After mixing the dough, it's important to let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the dough to relax and become more pliable, making it easier to shape and fry.
Don't roll the dough too thin: When shaping the petulla, make sure not to roll the dough too thin. If the dough is too thin, the petulla may become too crispy and dry.
Use enough oil: When frying the petulla, make sure to use enough oil to fully submerge the petulla. This will ensure that the petulla cooks evenly and becomes crispy and golden brown.
Serve immediately: Petulla is best served immediately after frying, while it's still warm and crispy. If you need to store it for later, make sure to keep it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Experiment with toppings and fillings: Petulla is a versatile dish that can be customized with a variety of toppings and fillings. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new combinations to find your favorite way to serve it.

Potential ingredients substitutes

All-purpose flour: You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour or pastry flour, depending on what you have on hand.
Baking powder: If you don't have baking powder, you can make your own by combining 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Yogurt: You can substitute yogurt with sour cream or buttermilk, which will provide similar tangy flavor and texture.
Olive oil: If you don't have olive oil, you can use vegetable oil or canola oil instead.
Salt: If you want to reduce your sodium intake, you can use a low-sodium salt substitute or omit the salt altogether.

What more?

Petulla is a traditional Albanian dish, but it is also popular in other countries in the Balkans, such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Petulla can be made with different types of flour, such as wheat flour, cornmeal, or a combination of the two.
Petulla can be shaped in different ways, such as round, oval, or triangular. Some people even make them into shapes like stars or hearts.
Petulla can be served as a sweet dish by dusting them with powdered sugar, or by adding honey or jam on top.
Petulla can also be served as a savory dish by adding different toppings or fillings, such as feta cheese, spinach, or minced meat.
In Albanian cuisine, petulla is often served with a side of yogurt, which provides a cool and creamy contrast to the crispy and warm petulla.
Petulla can be a great party food or snack, as they are easy to make and can be served in large batches.

Remarks

Whether you enjoy petulla as a sweet or savory treat, this versatile and delicious dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and taste the flavors of Albania!