Luqaimat is a delicious and traditional Iranian sweet that bears many similarities to Bamieh (another deep-fried dessert). This tasty treat originates from Bushehr Province. For a complete step-by-step guide on making Luqaimat, follow along with our recipe.
According to Saed News Family Magazine, to prepare Luqaimat, mix flour and yeast with warm water and let the dough rest until it rises. Then, add eggs and starch. Heat oil over low heat, transfer the dough into a piping bag, and fry it in hot oil. Once golden, soak the fried pieces in date syrup or saffron syrup. Finally, drain the excess oil and garnish with coconut powder before serving.
All-purpose flour – 2 cups
Egg – 1
Date syrup – 1 cup
Vegetable oil – 1 cup
Yeast – 1 teaspoon
Starch – 2 tablespoons
Water – 2 cups
Sift the flour into a large bowl, add the yeast, and gradually mix in warm water while stirring with a spoon until a dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Place a cloth over the bowl and set it in a warm place (near a heater or in a warm kitchen) for 2 hours to let the dough rise. Meanwhile, whisk the egg and starch in a separate bowl until well combined.
Once the dough has risen, add the egg mixture and mix well until a soft dough forms. Pour enough oil into a deep pot and heat it over low heat until it's fully hot.
Transfer the dough into a piping bag. When the oil is hot, squeeze out small portions of dough and cut them with scissors directly into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, flipping them for even cooking.
Once fried, remove the Luqaimat with a slotted spoon and immediately dip them in warm date syrup (or saffron syrup if preferred).
To remove excess oil, place the fried Luqaimat on a strainer or use a paper towel. If you don’t like date syrup, you can soak them in cooled, thick saffron syrup instead.
Let the Luqaimat soak in syrup for about 3 minutes, then transfer them to a serving dish. Garnish with coconut powder and enjoy!
This recipe makes crispy Luqaimat. However, if you prefer a softer texture, you can add half a cup of strained yogurt to the dough. The yogurt will make the Luqaimat softer and fluffier.
Enjoy your homemade Luqaimat!
