Dairy-Free Luqaimat (Saudi Fried Dough Balls)

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Yeast
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 3/4 cup Warm water
• 2 cups Oil (for frying)
• 1/2 cup Date syrup

Instructions

1. 1In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
2. 2Pour the 3/4 cup of warm water into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly with a spoon or whisk until a smooth, lump-free batter forms. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let the batter rest in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has visibly doubled in size.
3. 3While the batter is rising, or just before it finishes, pour the 2 cups of oil into a deep pot or a deep fryer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
4. 4Once the oil is at the correct temperature, carefully drop small, rounded portions of the batter into the hot oil. You can use a small spoon or a pastry bag to form the balls. Fry the dough balls in batches for 3 to 5 minutes, turning them occasionally with a slotted spoon, until they are evenly golden brown and crispy on all sides.
5. 5Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried dough balls from the hot oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Once all the dough balls are fried, immediately drizzle the 1/2 cup of date syrup over them and serve warm.

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