Papajotes: Easy Andalusian Fried Dough Fritters, Crispy Outside (64) 2026

Papajotes are small, golden fritters of fried dough that hail from Jaén in Andalusia, and they are one of the simplest sweet treats in Spanish home cooking. A light batter of egg, milk, flour and baking powder is dropped by spoonfuls into hot olive oil, fried until puffed and bronzed, then rolled in sugar while still warm.

Because the ingredients are everyday pantry staples, these fritters come together in about 25 minutes, plus a short rest for the batter. The recipe makes around 30 bite-sized pieces, perfect for sharing with coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a casual dessert after a family meal.

Ingredients for Papajotes

This batch makes about 30 small fritters.

• 1 medium egg
• 250 ml whole milk
• 250 g wheat flour
• 8 g baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• Olive oil for frying
• 3 tablespoons sugar

How to Make Papajotes Step by Step

1. Beat the egg with the milk

In a bowl, whisk 1 medium egg together with 250 ml of whole milk until evenly combined. A balloon whisk works well here to fully blend the egg into the milk.

2. Mix in the flour and baking powder

Gradually add 250 g of sifted wheat flour along with 8 g of baking powder and 1 pinch of salt, stirring until you have a smooth batter. Let the batter rest for 20 minutes before frying.

3. Fry the papajotes

Heat plenty of olive oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 180 °C. Drop in portions of batter using 2 greased tablespoons, turning them as they cook so they brown evenly. Once golden, lift the papajotes out of the oil.

4. Coat in sugar and serve

While the fritters are still hot, roll them in 3 tablespoons of sugar and serve immediately. If they seem oily, drain them first on a plate lined with kitchen paper.

Tips for the Best Papajotes

Flavor the batter if you like

For extra aroma you can flavor the batter to taste with lemon zest, anise or even vanilla. This is entirely optional, but it gives the fritters a lovely fragrant note.

Shape them evenly with greased spoons

Before frying, use one or two tablespoons to shape the portions so they all come out the same size. Greasing the spoons with a little oil keeps the batter from sticking.

Dress up the sugar coating

Roll the fritters in sugar while they are freshly fried, draining off excess oil on kitchen paper first if needed. For a warm flavor twist, scent the coating sugar with a little ground cinnamon.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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