Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough)
Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 250 g plain flour
- 160 g water, start with 145–150 g and add the rest slowly
- 1 egg
- 3.5 g baking powder
- 3 g salt
- 5 g sugar
- 1 g baking soda
- 10 g neutral oil
- 5 g lard
For Frying and Serving
- as needed neutral oil, for deep frying
- as needed soy milk, warm, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, egg, baking powder, salt, sugar, baking soda, 10 grams of neutral oil, and lard. Begin by adding 145-150 grams of water. Mix all ingredients until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
If the dough feels too stiff, gradually add the remaining water, 5 grams at a time, until the desired soft and slightly sticky consistency is achieved.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Knead the dough just until it is smooth. Avoid over-kneading.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This allows the dough to relax and become easier to work with.
⏱️ 30 min
- 5
Lightly flour your work surface. Press and stretch the rested dough into a long strip, approximately 1 cm thick and 8 cm wide.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Using a knife or dough cutter, cut the long dough strip into smaller strips, each about 2 cm wide.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Take two of the 2 cm wide dough strips and stack them one on top of the other, forming pairs.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Firmly press a chopstick along the center of each stacked pair of dough strips. Ensure the edges remain free and are not pressed together.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
In a deep pot or wok, heat enough neutral oil for deep frying to 190 °C (375 °F). Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 190
- 10
Gently stretch each prepared pair of dough strips to approximately twice its original length before carefully lowering it into the hot oil.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Fry the dough, turning constantly, for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the Youtiao are deep golden brown and fully puffed up.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Remove the fried Youtiao from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 1 min
- 13
Serve the Youtiao immediately. For a traditional experience, tear one open and dip it into warm soy milk.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Youtiao (Chinese Fried Dough)
For the Dough
- 250 g plain flour
- 160 g water, start with 145–150 g and add the rest slowly
- 1 egg
- 3.5 g baking powder
- 3 g salt
- 5 g sugar
- 1 g baking soda
- 10 g neutral oil
- 5 g lard
For Frying and Serving
- as needed neutral oil, for deep frying
- as needed soy milk, warm, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, egg, baking powder, salt, sugar, baking soda, 10 grams of neutral oil, and lard. Begin by adding 145-150 grams of water. Mix all ingredients until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
If the dough feels too stiff, gradually add the remaining water, 5 grams at a time, until the desired soft and slightly sticky consistency is achieved.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Knead the dough just until it is smooth. Avoid over-kneading.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This allows the dough to relax and become easier to work with.
⏱️ 30 min - 5
Lightly flour your work surface. Press and stretch the rested dough into a long strip, approximately 1 cm thick and 8 cm wide.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Using a knife or dough cutter, cut the long dough strip into smaller strips, each about 2 cm wide.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Take two of the 2 cm wide dough strips and stack them one on top of the other, forming pairs.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Firmly press a chopstick along the center of each stacked pair of dough strips. Ensure the edges remain free and are not pressed together.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
In a deep pot or wok, heat enough neutral oil for deep frying to 190 °C (375 °F). Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 190 - 10
Gently stretch each prepared pair of dough strips to approximately twice its original length before carefully lowering it into the hot oil.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Fry the dough, turning constantly, for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the Youtiao are deep golden brown and fully puffed up.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Remove the fried Youtiao from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 1 min - 13
Serve the Youtiao immediately. For a traditional experience, tear one open and dip it into warm soy milk.
⏱️ 1 min