Mongolian Fried Dough with Honey and Nuts
Boortsog-Inspired
A delightful sweet treat inspired by Boortsog, the traditional Mongolian fried bread. These golden-brown dough pieces are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, drizzled generously with honey and sprinkled with chopped nuts for a satisfying sweet and crunchy finish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g All-purpose flour
- 200 ml Warm milk
- 7 g Active dry yeast
- 50 g Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Egg, lightly beaten
- 30 g Butter, melted
- enough for deep frying Vegetable oil for frying
- to taste Honey, for drizzling
- 50 g Chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
💡 Tip: Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast. - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
💡 Tip: Combining dry ingredients first ensures even distribution. - 3
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the activated yeast mixture, beaten egg, and melted butter. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
💡 Tip: The dough will be sticky at this stage. - 4
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
💡 Tip: Kneading develops gluten, essential for a good texture. Resting allows the yeast to work. - 5
Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thickness.
💡 Tip: Don't overwork the dough after rising. - 6
Cut the dough into desired shapes (squares, diamonds, or small circles). You can also cut strips and tie them into knots.
💡 Tip: Traditional Boortsog shapes vary, so feel free to be creative. - 7
Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 170-180°C (340-350°F). Carefully fry the dough pieces in batches, turning them occasionally, until golden brown on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side).
💡 Tip: Maintain a consistent oil temperature for even cooking and to prevent the dough from absorbing too much oil. - 8
Remove the fried dough with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. While still warm, drizzle generously with honey and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
💡 Tip: Drizzling honey while warm allows it to melt slightly and coat the dough beautifully.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the oil temperature is correct; too low and they'll be greasy, too high and they'll burn before cooking through.
- ✓You can make a larger batch and store cooled pieces in an airtight container for a few days.
- ✓For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar in the dough and use less honey.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon to the dough for extra spice.
- Serve with a side of clotted cream or yogurt for dipping.
- For a savory twist, omit the honey and nuts and serve with a savory dip.