Retorcidos Recipe: Crunchy Leonese Carnival Anise Pastries 2026

Retorcidos are crispy, sugar-coated fried pastries from León, Spain, traditionally made during Carnival. Their twisted shape, light anise aroma and golden crunch make them a beloved treat in Leonese bakeries.

This version comes together with pantry staples: eggs, sugar, olive oil, flour, baking powder, a splash of anise liqueur and a little orange zest. The dough is quick to mix, easy to shape and fries in just minutes.

Serve them with coffee, hot chocolate or a small glass of sweet wine. They keep well for a few days in an airtight container, though they are at their best the day they are made.

Ingredients for Retorcidos

Makes 24 pastries

• 2 medium eggs
• 70 g white sugar
• 2 g salt
• Zest of half an orange
• 30 ml anise liqueur
• 40 ml olive oil
• 270 g wheat flour
• 5 g baking powder
• Oil for frying
• 50 g white sugar (for coating)

How to Make Retorcidos Step by Step

1. Beat the eggs with sugar, salt and orange zest

Start by beating 2 medium eggs with 70 g white sugar, 2 g salt and the zest of half an orange for 2–3 minutes, until the eggs are lightly foamy.

2. Add anise and olive oil

Add 30 ml anise liqueur and 40 ml olive oil, and mix until fully incorporated into the egg mixture.

3. Mix in flour and baking powder

Add 270 g wheat flour along with 5 g baking powder, and mix well until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough.

4. Shape portions into ropes

Take portions of about 20 g of dough and roll them into ropes about 30 cm long. To work the dough easily, keep your hands oiled throughout the shaping process so the dough doesn't stick.

5. Twist the ropes into shape

Fold each dough rope over itself and twist it as shown in the image. Once formed, place it on parchment paper while you shape the rest of the retorcidos.

6. Fry the retorcidos

Heat frying oil to 180 °C. Fry the retorcidos in small batches, and as you remove them from the oil, place them on paper towels to drain off excess oil.

7. Coat in sugar

While they are still warm, roll the fried retorcidos in the 50 g white sugar until evenly coated.

8. Serve

Serve the retorcidos while they are fresh and crisp, ideally the same day they are made.

Tips for the Best Retorcidos

Keep the dough from sticking

Lightly oil your hands and work surface while shaping the ropes. This prevents the dough from sticking without adding extra flour, which could dry out the pastries.

Fry at the right temperature

Maintain the oil at around 180 °C and fry in small batches. If the oil is too cool, the retorcidos absorb oil; if too hot, they brown before cooking through.

Serve and store

Retorcidos are at their best the day they are made, but they keep well for a few days in an airtight container. Serve them with coffee, hot chocolate or a sweet wine.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together 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 for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. 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 a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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