Description
These traditional Calabrian crispelle are crispy golden fried dough balls with a soft and airy interior filled with savory anchovies. Popular during Southern Italian holiday celebrations, they make a delicious appetizer or comforting snack served fresh and hot.
Ingredients
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 10 g salt
- 10 g sugar
- 15 g fresh yeast or 5 g dry yeast
- 400 ml lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 10–12 anchovy fillets packed in oil or salted
- Sunflower oil or light olive oil for frying
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- Small cubes of mozzarella or provolone for filling (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a soft sticky dough forms and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 2–3 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare the anchovy filling by cutting the fillets into smaller pieces if needed.
- Heat sunflower oil or light olive oil in a deep pot to 170–175°C (340°F).
- Wet your hands lightly to prevent sticking. Pinch off a walnut-sized piece of dough and flatten it slightly.
- Place a small piece of anchovy in the center and seal the dough around it to form a ball.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Carefully fry a few crispelle at a time for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
- This dough is naturally soft and sticky, which helps create airy crispelle.
- Anchovy fillets packed in oil are easiest to use.
- Cheese-filled variations using mozzarella or provolone are also popular.
- Maintain proper frying temperature to avoid greasy crispelle.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crispella
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
