Bosnian Uštipci (Fried Dough Bites)
Uštipci are delightful, fluffy fried dough balls, similar to doughnuts but less sweet. They are a popular breakfast or snack item in Bosnia and Herzegovina, often served with cheese, jam, honey, or kajmak.
🧂 Ingredients
- 320 g All-purpose flour((approx. 2.5 cups))
- 250 ml Milk(lukewarm)
- 1 large Egg
- 60 g Plain yogurt((approx. ÂĽ cup))
- 6 g Salt((1 tsp))
- 8 g Sugar((2 tsp, for yeast))
- 7 g Instant dry yeast((2ÂĽ tsp))
- 15 ml Neutral oil((1 tbsp, for dough))
- 700 ml Neutral oil for frying((approx. 3 cups, or enough for 5-6 cm depth))
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
💡 Tip: Ensuring the yeast is active is crucial for fluffy uštipci. - 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, yogurt, and 1 tbsp of oil. Add the foamy yeast mixture and stir to combine.
đź’ˇ Tip: Using yogurt contributes to a tender crumb. - 3
Add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir with a spoon until a thick, sticky batter forms. Do not overmix or knead.
đź’ˇ Tip: The batter should be quite wet; this leads to airy centers. - 4
Cover the bowl and let the batter rise in a warm place for 25-35 minutes, or until puffy.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 5
Heat the frying oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 175–180°C (345–355°F).
💡 Tip: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key to preventing greasy uštipci. - 6
Using two oiled spoons, drop walnut-sized blobs of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
đź’ˇ Tip: Oiling the spoons helps the batter release easily. - 7
Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and cooked through. Flip them as needed to ensure even browning. They will puff up significantly.
⏱️ 5 minutes per batch💡 Tip: The uštipci will often turn themselves in the oil. - 8
Remove the fried uštipci with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt immediately after frying.
đź’ˇ Tip: Serve warm for the best texture.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- ✓For savory uštipci, you can add chopped chives or a pinch of black pepper to the batter.
- ✓If you prefer slightly sweet uštipci, you can add an extra teaspoon of sugar to the batter and dust them with powdered sugar after frying.
- ✓Leftover uštipci can be re-heated in an oven or air fryer for a few minutes.
🔄 Variations
- Cheese Uštipci: Mix grated cheese (like cottage cheese or feta) into the batter before frying.
- Sweet Uštipci: Add sugar to the batter and serve dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with honey/jam.
- Herbed Uštipci: Incorporate finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill into the batter.