Diples: Greek Honey-Fried Pastries
Yield:
8
Diples are traditional Greek fried pastries made from thin strips of orange-scented dough. The crisp pastries are dipped in a honey syrup and finished with ground walnuts and plenty of cinnamon. Serve these beautiful Greek honey pastries during Christmas, weddings, holidays, and other special celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest of an orange
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Oil for frying (non-GMO canola oil)
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup Greek honey
For the Garnish:
- 1 cup finely ground walnuts
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- Combine the eggs, sugar, orange juice, and olive oil in the bowl of a tabletop mixer. Beat until combined.
- You may also prepare the dough by hand in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Sift the dry ingredients together.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture. Knead until the dough is combined and smooth.
- Transfer the dough to a board or countertop. Knead it with a little more flour until it is no longer sticky.
- Do not add too much flour. Add only enough for the dough to feel tacky.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Roll and Shape the Dough
- Cut the dough into small portions.
- Use a pasta roller to roll each portion. This is much easier than rolling the dough with a rolling pin.
- Make sure the pasta roller is well floured to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Pass each portion through the pasta roller until it becomes long and very thin.
- Begin with a thicker setting. Gradually pass the dough through the thinner settings until it becomes almost see-through and less than â…›-inch thick.
- Set the rolled strips aside and cover them with a clean kitchen towel.
- Cut the strips as thick as you like. Tie them into knots to form bows, or leave them as strips to form turnovers.
Fry the Diples:
- Heat the frying oil to 375°F in a deep pot.
- Carefully drop the shaped dough into the hot oil.
- Fry until bubbles form in the dough and the pastries are golden, about 1–2 minutes total.
- Transfer the fried pastries to a tray lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
- Allow them to cool completely.
Make the Honey Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the orange juice and Greek honey.
Finish the Diples
- Dip the cooled fried pastries into the syrup and arrange them on a serving platter.
- Garnish with the ground walnuts and plenty of ground cinnamon.
Notes
Allow the fried pastries to cool completely before dipping them into the honey syrup.
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In making the syrup. Step 21 states “Remove from heat and stir in the orange juice and honey.” I do not see orange juice in the ingredient list for the syrup? I only see orange juice in the list of ingredients for the dough. Please clarify.
These were very good. I don’t know if I should have used setting 5 instead of 4 for the thickness. Do you cover them after you make them or leave uncovered? Very tasty!
I have the same question as another reader. Does the orange juice get added to the flour mixture or the syrup, The recipe says one thing and the video another. I added it to both. I used the KitchenAid roller set to 4, but next time I will go to 5. Also, the syrup, in my opinion is not sweet enough even with the sugar and honey. I would double the honey next time and add a cinnamon bark to the syrup ad let it all thicken up a bit before adding the diples. JMO…
Love your recipes 💕
Thanks so much for your support!! xoxo
Dmitra!
I love your video and instructions! You did a great job in and make me feel confident that I can attempt these! This year I was excited to find and bought quite a few to relish and share with special family and friends at a Greek fair after years of yearning for them! We had enjoyed them last in 1977 at Michaels Restaurant in Rochester, MN when my father was being treated for cancer. It was the only happy memory I have of that time! Greek food is truly comfort food!
Thank you so much and blessings to you and yours!
I’m so touched by your message, and I’m glad the video and instructions gave you the confidence to try making those special treats! It sounds like they hold such a meaningful place in your heart, and I’m so happy that you’re able to relive those cherished memories and share them with loved ones. Greek food really does have a way of bringing comfort and joy, especially when it’s tied to precious moments like that. Thank you for your kind words, and blessings to you and your family as well!