At Carnival, fritters are a must-have. They are one of those sweets that instantly evoke a festive atmosphere, joy, and afternoons spent in the kitchen. Carnival fritters without eggs are perfect for those who are intolerant, or simply if we want to achieve a lighter and more delicate taste, without sacrificing indulgence. The dough is easily prepared in a bowl and, thanks to the yogurt, the fritters turn out soft and tender, while the lemon zest gives a fresh and irresistible aroma.
They are prepared in just a few minutes, using simple ingredients that we often already have at home, they are ideal to enjoy freshly made, still warm, perhaps sprinkled with a bit of powdered sugar. Try this recipe, it’s perfect for experiencing Carnival with simplicity and lightness, to share with both adults and children.
Here are some more ideas for your Carnival sweets:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 30 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Seasonality: Carnival
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- lemon zest
- 1 tsp orange liqueur (or limoncello)
- 1 pinch salt
- peanut oil (for frying)
- powdered sugar (to taste)
Tools
- Bowl
- Hand Whisk
- Pot
- Paper Towels
Preparation
Pour the yogurt into a bowl, add the sugar, the vegetable oil, and the milk. Mix for a few seconds with a hand whisk.
Add the grated zest of half a lemon and a teaspoon of liqueur.
Then add the sifted flour and baking powder, a little at a time. Continue mixing with the whisk or a spoon until you get a lump-free, fairly thick and homogeneous mixture (1).
Pour about 1 quart of peanut oil into a high-sided pot and place it on the stove.
Bring the oil to temperature, it will be hot if small bubbles form around a wooden stick when inserted.
With the help of 2 teaspoons, form small balls of dough and immerse them in the hot oil.
Fry them for about 5 minutes, or until they are well golden (2).
Drain them with tongs or a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil (3).
Continue frying until the dough is used up. With these quantities, you will get 30-35 fritters, depending on their size.
Carnival fritters without eggs are ready, sprinkle them with powdered sugar (or granulated sugar) to taste and serve them warm.
Tips and Notes
Fry few pieces at a time, so as not to cool the oil. Use a thick-bottomed pot because it will keep the temperature more stable.
The oil should not be too hot, otherwise the fritters will burn on the outside and remain raw inside, nor too cold, otherwise they will be very greasy.
You can use plain yogurt or lemon or vanilla yogurt.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How do you store the fritters?
If you don’t consume them all immediately, the fritters are also good the next day, warmed up for a few minutes in the oven or in an air fryer.
Can I omit the liqueur?
The alcohol completely evaporates during cooking, so the fritters are suitable for everyone. However, if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can omit the liqueur and perhaps add a few drops of lemon or orange flavoring.

