These Italian Donuts better known as a Bomboloni are made with a soft yeast dough, fried, rolled in sugar then filled with your favourite pastry cream filling. Served for breakfast and snack or just about anytime you want.

My first experience with eating a Bomboloni was an evening out with friends. It all started out as a walk along the boardwalk and then a delicious experience with a soft donut, that was filled with a creamy vanilla pastry cream.

We went to one of the famous bakeries near the sea and had a warm just made Bomboloni. There were so many different fillings to choose from, it was quite the decision!

But making them at home wasn’t as difficult as I thought, and not only could we have them whenever we wanted, we could also fill them with our own favourite fillings.

Table of Contents

How to make Italian Donuts

In the bowl of the stand up mixer add the milk and sprinkle the yeast on top, let it sit for five minutes then mix together. Then add the sugar, vegetable oil, egg, orange zest and vanilla, whisk together to combine.

the yeast mixture with eggs , oil and sugar in the mixing bowl, the ingredients whisked together in the mixing bowl

Slowly add the flour and with the dough hook attachment, start to mix the dough until it comes together, remember don’t go higher than speed 2, continue to knead the dough for about seven minutes, the dough must be smooth and elastic.

On a flat surface knead the dough a few times, then place it in a lightly oiled bowl, remember to roll the dough to cover it lightly in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm draft free area.

the dough mixed in the mixing bowl, before and after rising in a white bowl

Once the time has passed, knead the dough a few times, roll it to a thickness of 1/4 -1/3 inch, cut into six rounds, place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap and let them rise again.

cutting out the dough, the donuts on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet before and after rising

In a medium sized pot add about 2 inches of vegetable oil, and heat. Fry the donuts, turning a couple of times each side.

Remove the fried Bomboloni with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate, but leave them only for a few seconds, then roll immediately in granulated sugar, be sure to cover them well. This is not the time to be watching your diet!

Let them cool a little then with the end of a wooden spoon make an indentation at the side of the donut or on top if you prefer, twist it around to open up some space. You are going to want to fill that space with some creamy pastry cream, a simple chantilly cream or even your favourite hazelnut cream. Eat warm and as soon as possible.

pastry cream in a blue bowl and stuffed donuts on a wire rack

Can the donuts be baked?

Apparently they can also be baked although I have never tried or made them that way. If you do bake them, they should be baked in a pre-heated oven at 350F, let them cool before filling, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Because they are baked the granulated sugar will not stick, so the dusting of powdered sugar is your best option.

Five donuts on a wire rack and one in a white plate.

What is the best oil for frying?

The best oils for frying are peanut oil and canola oil because of their high smoke points, which means the temperature when the oil begins to break down and, begins to smoke. Although sunflower and corn oil work well too.

What does Bomboloni mean

The direct translation means Bomb, which is actually the shape of these donuts. Parts of Italy they are often called Bomba / Bombe.

Two donuts stacked with four in a loaf pan.

Where are they from in Italy

In Italy they are from Toscana and the Emilia-Romagna Region. But as most Italian foods they are now all over Italy.

What are the best fillings to use?

In Italy they are usually filled with a simple Pastry Cream, but a Coffee Pastry Cream or even a Chocolate one would work too. Or why not fill with some sweetened whipped cream or as my kids would always choose a Nutella filled Bomboloni.

How to store the Donuts

It is always best to eat the donuts immediately, or you could keep them unfilled in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days at most. If filled they should be kept in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Freezing is not a good idea.

So if you want to give an Italian treat a try then I highly recommend these Italian Donuts – Bomboloni. Enjoy!