Golden Crispy Tulumbakia – Syrup-Soaked Greek Fritters

Tulumbakia are one of the most beloved traditional Greek desserts — golden, crispy fritters on the outside, soft on the inside, and soaked in sweet syrup. Made with a simple choux-like dough, fried until perfectly golden, and then dipped in cold syrup, these bite-sized delights are a true indulgence. Whether you serve them after a family meal, at celebrations, or as a sweet treat with coffee, these little syrupy treasures are always a crowd-pleaser.

Golden Crispy Tulumbakia – Syrup-Soaked Greek Fritters

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

40

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

60

kcal

Total time

40

minutes

Golden Greek tulumbakia — crispy fried dough fritters soaked in syrup for a sweet, crunchy, and juicy traditional dessert.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• For the Syrup

• 400 g 400 Water

• 600 g 600 Sugar

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

• For the Dough

• 250 g 250 All-purpose Flour

• 250 g 250 Hot Water

• 1 pinch 1 Salt

• 2 2 Vanillin Capsules

• 50 g 50 Butter

• 4 4 Eggs

• Vegetable Oil, for frying

How to make Greek Tulumbakia

• Prepare the Syrup
• In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir lightly.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 6 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely.
• Prepare the Dough
• In a saucepan over low heat, add the hot water, flour, butter, salt, and vanilla. Stir with a wooden spoon until a thick dough forms and moisture evaporates.
• Transfer the hot dough to a stand mixer with a dough hook and beat until slightly cooled.
• Add eggs one at a time while mixing, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Transfer the dough to a piping bag.
• Fry the Tulumbakia
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over low heat (not too hot).
• Pipe the dough into the oil, cutting into small logs.
• Fry, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp.
• Remove and immediately dip into cold syrup. Coat well and transfer to a plate.

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What Are Tulumbakia?

Tulumbakia (greek syrup-soaked churros) are a traditional Greek dessert, similar to churros but with a unique syrup-soaked twist. The dough is close to a choux pastry, fried until crunchy and then dunked in cold syrup so each bite is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Tips for Perfect Tulumbakia

• Cold Syrup + Hot Fritters: Always dip them while hot into cold syrup for the perfect texture.
• Low Heat Frying: The oil should be warm, not too hot, so the fritters cook evenly inside and out.
• Keep Stirring: Move them gently in the oil to achieve even golden color.

Serving Suggestions

These golden bites are delicious as they are, but you can also:

• Sprinkle with a little cinnamon for extra aroma.
• Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
• Pair with strong Greek coffee for the ultimate experience.

This crispy golden tulumbakia recipe is proof that simple ingredients can create the most indulgent desserts. Sweet, syrupy, and completely irresistible, they’re a must-try for anyone who loves traditional Greek sweets.

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