Freixós: Traditional Galician Anise Pancakes, Crisp & Airy (60) 2026

Freixós, also known as filloas de anís, are thin, golden pancakes from Galicia that come out of the pan fragrant with anise and ready to be stacked, sprinkled with sugar, or drizzled with honey. They are a beloved Carnival treat, but they are simple enough to make any time you want something sweet and homemade.

The batter comes together in minutes with milk, water, eggs, anise, sugar, and flour, then rests for an hour so the flour hydrates and the flavors meld. Cooking them goes quickly: a hot pan greased with pork fat, a ladle of batter swirled thin, and less than a minute on each side.

The result is a pile of tender, lightly sweet pancakes with a subtle licorice note from the anise. Serve them plain, dusted with sugar, or with whipped cream, pastry cream, or a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients for Freixós

Makes about 20 freixós, serving 4 people

• 750 ml milk
• 220 ml water
• 60 ml anise liqueur
• 4 eggs
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 320 g wheat flour
• Pork fat (tocino) for greasing the pan

How to Make Freixós Step by Step

1. Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, combine 750 ml milk, 220 ml water, 60 ml anise, 4 eggs, 1 pinch salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Whisk well until all the ingredients are fully integrated.

2. Add the sifted flour

Add 320 g of wheat flour to the bowl, sifting it first through a strainer or sieve to avoid lumps.

3. Mix and let rest

Mix well until the flour is completely incorporated and the batter is smooth with no lumps. Cover and let the batter rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

4. Grease the hot pan

Once the batter has rested, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, grease it with a piece of pork fat.

5. Pour and spread the batter

Ladle a small amount of batter into the pan and immediately swirl the pan with a circular motion of your wrist so the batter coats the entire surface evenly in a thin layer.

6. Cook the first side

Cook the freixó for about 45 seconds, or until the edges turn golden and start to lift from the pan.

7. Flip the freixó

Using a spatula, or with a quick motion pinching the edge with your fingertips, carefully flip the freixó over so it doesn't tear.

8. Cook the second side

Cook on the other side for about another 45 seconds, then slide it out of the pan.

9. Repeat and serve

Stack the cooked freixós on a plate as you go. Repeat the same process until all the batter is used up, then serve.

Tips for the Best Freixós

Keep them thin

The key to great freixós is making them quite thin, so calculate the amount of batter you ladle into the pan carefully. The first two you cook will help you gauge both the right amount of batter and the pan temperature, which should be fairly high.

Choose your fat

Traditionally the pan is greased with pork fat, which gives a subtle savory note, but you can also use butter or even sunflower oil if you prefer.

Serving suggestions

Serve the freixós plain, dusted with a little sugar, or accompanied by honey, pastry cream, or whipped cream. This recipe makes about 20 freixós, though the exact number depends on their size and thickness.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. 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, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are 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 a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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