Ricotta Fritters (Italian-Style Fried Ricotta)
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Light, airy, and delicately crisp, these lemon ricotta fritters are gently sweet, citrusy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dessert. No yeast, no fuss, and ready in minutes!
Ricotta Fritters
These homemade fritters are light on the inside, crisp on the outside, and finished with a generous dusting of powdered sugar. Made with simple pantry ingredients and creamy ricotta cheese, they’re ready in just 20 minutes. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee.
The ricotta keeps every bite soft and tender while fresh lemon zest adds bright flavor. They’re easy enough for a weekend breakfast but special enough to serve guests.
Why You’ll Love Lemon Ricotta Fritters
- Ready in only 20 minutes
- Soft, fluffy centers with crispy edges
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- Easy recipe for beginners
- Delicious served warm with powdered sugar
What Are Ricotta Fritters?
Ricotta fritters are small fried pastries made with ricotta cheese, eggs, flour, and baking powder. The ricotta creates a moist, tender interior, while frying gives them a crisp golden crust. This easy ricotta dessert have a texture somewhere between a donut hole and a light cake.
Lemon zest brightens the flavor, making these fritters taste fresh instead of heavy.
We enjoy ricotta fritters for breakfast and dessert. More breakfast recipes that are favorites in my house are Cap’n Crunch French Toast, Strawberry Stuffed French Toast Casserole, Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes, Sausage Cheese Scones, and Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches.
Ingredients
- ricotta cheese
- sugar
- eggs
- lemon
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- oil
- powdered sugar
How to Make Ricotta Fritters
Time needed: 20 minutes
The printable recipe card is here.
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In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, and lemon zest until smooth.
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Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir only until combined. Overmixing can make the fritters less tender.
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Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Using a teaspoon or small cookie scoop, carefully drop portions of batter into the hot oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Frying tips.
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Transfer the fritters to paper towels to drain. Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Ricotta Fritters
- Use whole milk ricotta for the best texture.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup instead of scooping.
- Do not overmix the batter.
- Check the oil temperature with a thermometer. If the oil is too cool, the fritters absorb excess oil. If it’s too hot, they’ll brown before cooking through.
- A small cookie scoop makes evenly sized fritters.
- Fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays consistent.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
- Serve while warm for the best texture.
- Fresh lemon zest gives the best flavor.
Italian Ricotta Fritters Variations
Cinnamon Sugar. Skip the powdered sugar and roll the warm fritters in cinnamon sugar.
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Vanilla. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Orange. Replace the lemon zest with orange zest.
Berry Topping. Serve with fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or warm berry sauce like strawberry sauce, blueberry sauce, orange curd, or lemon sauce.
Chocolate. Drizzle with melted chocolate or Nutella before serving.
What to Serve with Ricotta Fritters
These pair well with:
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Lemon curd
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Espresso
- Coffee
- Cappuccino
- Hot chocolate
More desserts we enjoy are 12 Yolk Cake, Lemon Blueberry Cake, Strawberry Fluff Pie, Pink Fudge, Coca-Cola Pie, Cookie Butter Pie, and Berry Cream Cheese Cobbler.
How to Store Ricotta Fritters
Storage, Freezing & Reheating Breakfast Fritters
Fridge: Store in a paper towel–lined container for up to 2 days.
Freezer: Not recommended, the texture softens.
Reheat: Best reheated in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes to help restore the crisp exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ricotta fritters are small fried pastries made with ricotta cheese, eggs, flour, and baking powder. They have a crisp exterior and a soft, fluffy center.
Yes. The batter can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before frying.
Freezing isn’t recommended because they lose their crisp texture after thawing.
Neutral oils with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil, work well.
Yes, but they’ll be less fluffy. This recipe is developed for frying. Baking will create a different texture and won’t produce the same crisp exterior. However, if you’re opposed to frying you can bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, just know they’ll be more like a muffin.
Yes, simply swap traditional flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Add up to ¼ cup sugar or serve with jam.
Yes, although whole milk ricotta produces softer, richer fritters.
The oil was likely too cool. Keep it close to 350°F while frying.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese 8 oz | 225 g
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 medium lemon zested
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 4.4 oz | 125 g
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 Pinch salt
- Oil for frying about 2 cups
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Step 1 – Make the Batter
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, sugar, eggs, and lemon zest until smooth.1 cup ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 medium lemon
Step 2 – Add Dry Ingredients
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 Pinch salt
- Stir gently until just combined – do not overmix.
Step 3 – Fry
- Heat oil in a small pot to 350°F (175°C).Oil for frying
- Scoop batter by teaspoon or small cookie scoop.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning, until golden brown.
Step 4 – Finish & Serve
- Drain on paper towels and dust generously with powdered sugar.Powdered sugar
- Serve warm!