CRISPELLE: Sicilian Honey Rice Fritters

These golden fritters are a beloved treat from southeastern Sicily, especially in Catania and Ragusa.

Traditionally made for St. Joseph’s Day, they’re so delicious that you can find them in Sicilian pastry shops all year round.

In Ragusa, the tradition has evolved — some pastry chefs make a smoother, more refined version dipped in chocolate cream — but the original recipe remains unbeatable: crisp fritters made with whole grains of rice, coated in warm honey, and flavored with orange zest.

🇮🇹 Difficulty: Medium 💰 Cost: Budget-friendly

⏱ Prep: 30 min 💤 Rest: 3 hrs 🔥 Cook: 10 min 🍽 Yield: 30 fritters

🧂 Ingredients

For the dough

• 1 cup short-grain rice (Arborio or sushi rice)

• 1 cup semolina flour (fine durum wheat)

• ½ cup whole milk, room temperature

• ½ tsp active dry yeast (or ¾ tsp fresh yeast)

• Zest of 1 orange

For frying & finishing

• 1 ¾ cups peanut oil (or vegetable oil)

• ¾ cup honey

• Juice of ½ orange

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ cup semolina flour, for coating

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the rice

Boil the rice in unsalted water until tender. Drain and let it cool slightly, then transfer to a large bowl.

2. Prepare the dough

Dissolve the yeast in milk and pour over the rice. Add semolina flour and orange zest, then mix until well combined.
Cover and let rise for 3 hours, until slightly puffy.

3. Shape the fritters

Line a board with parchment paper and keep a small bowl of water nearby.
With damp hands, take small pieces of dough (about a walnut size) and roll them into short ropes.
Dust with semolina flour and set aside.

4. Fry

Heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry a few fritters at a time until golden and crisp.
Drain on paper towels.

5. Coat with honey

Warm the honey and orange juice in a small pan. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes, then cool slightly.
Pour the warm mixture over the fritters and toss gently.

6. Serve

Sprinkle with cinnamon and orange zest. Serve warm and enjoy!

💡 Tips

Add the honey glaze right before serving to keep the fritters crispy and golden.

🍯 Nutritional Facts (per fritter)

CRISPELLE: SICILIAN RICE FRITTERS

A golden taste of Sicily! Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and coated in warm honey with orange zest

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course Christmas Italian Recipes, Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 30 crispelle

Notes

Ingredients

For the dough

• 1 cup short-grain rice (Arborio or sushi rice)
• 1 cup semolina flour (fine durum wheat)
• ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
• ½ tsp active dry yeast (or ¾ tsp fresh yeast)
• Zest of 1 orange

For frying & finishing

• 1 ¾ cups peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
• ¾ cup honey
• Juice of ½ orange
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup semolina flour, for coating

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the rice

Boil the rice in unsalted water until tender. Drain and let it cool slightly, then transfer to a large bowl.

2. Prepare the dough

Dissolve the yeast in milk and pour over the rice. Add semolina flour and orange zest, then mix until well combined.
Cover and let rise for 3 hours, until slightly puffy.

3. Shape the fritters

Line a board with parchment paper and keep a small bowl of water nearby.
With damp hands, take small pieces of dough (about a walnut size) and roll them into short ropes.
Dust with semolina flour and set aside.

4. Fry

Heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry a few fritters at a time until golden and crisp.
Drain on paper towels.

5. Coat with honey

Warm the honey and orange juice in a small pan. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes, then cool slightly.
Pour the warm mixture over the fritters and toss gently.

6. Serve

Sprinkle with cinnamon and orange zest. Serve warm and enjoy!

Keyword sicilian honey rice fritters, italian dessert, st joseph day sweets, sicilian recipes, fried desserts, rice fritters, honey glaze, orange zest dessert, traditional sicilian food, italian pastries