Pişi (Turkish Fried Dough)
A recipe for Pişi (Turkish Fried Dough)! These versatile pieces of fried dough are a delicious sweet or savory addition to a Turkish-style breakfast.
Servings 4 -6 Servings
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (2 grams) kosher salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (9 grams) baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (62 grams) whole-milk yogurt
- 1/4 cup (55 grams) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) water at room temperature, 75˚-80˚F (24˚-27˚C)
Pişi:
- Neutral oil for deep-frying
- Powdered sugar for serving
- Apricot jam for serving
Instructions
Make the dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder until fully incorporated.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together the egg, yogurt, milk, and water.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Using your hands or a bowl scraper, mix for 2 to 3 minutes, until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Using your hands, knead for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is almost smooth.
- Loosely cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel and let rest on the work surface for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Knead the dough for another 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth. (Alternatively, you can knead the dough in a stand mixer on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl.)
- Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Make the Pişi:
- Line a plate with paper towels and set near the stove.
- Uncover the dough and use a sharp knife or bench scraper to divide the dough into 2 equal portions.
- Cup your hands around both sides of one piece of dough and roll into a quick ball. Repeat with the other piece.
- Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
- Pour 2 1/2 inches (6.3 centimeters) of oil into a large pot and heat the oil over medium heat to 350˚F (180˚C).
- Working with one ball at a time (and keeping the other one covered), place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to roll into an 8-to 9-inch (20-23 centimeter) round.
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 2-inch (5 centimeter) squares, or cut into 3 inch (7.6 centimeter) squares and then cut on the diagonal for triangles. The squares don't have to be perfect, some edges will be rounded and that's totally okay.
- Working in batches of 8 to 10 (to avoid crowding), carefully place the dough pieces in the hot oil and carefully swirl the pot lightly a few times to cover each piece with oil. This will ensure that your dough cooks more evenly and has a crispy outside and air-filled inside. Continue to fry for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring periodically with a straining spoon so each side is golden brown and cooked well.
- Remove to the paper towels.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with apricot jam while warm.