Sweet Rice Fritters – Calas Recipe
Sweet Rice Fritters, also known as Calas, are a deliciously crispy and airy treat made from mashed cooked rice and a yeasted batter. These fritters are flavored with cinnamon and sugar, deep-fried to golden perfection, and coated with powdered sugar for a sweet finish. Traditionally enjoyed warm or at room temperature, they make a perfect sweet snack or breakfast treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 8 hours fermentation time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12-15 fritters 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Creole
Ingredients
Scale
Fritter Batter
- 1 cup cooked rice, cooled and well mashed
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110°F – 120°F)
- 3 large eggs, whisked
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
For Frying and Coating
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Prepare the rice base: Place the mashed cooked rice into a medium bowl and set aside.
- Activate the yeast: Sprinkle the active dry yeast into the warm water and let it dissolve until foamy, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Combine yeast with rice and refrigerate: Pour the yeast mixture into the mashed rice and stir to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight to develop flavor and texture.
- Add remaining batter ingredients: After refrigeration, add the whisked eggs, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon to the rice mixture and stir well. Then add the all-purpose flour and mix until fully incorporated.
- Let batter rise: Cover the bowl with a towel and place it in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour. The batter will become bubbly, slightly airy, and increase slightly in volume.
- Heat oil and fry fritters: Heat vegetable oil in a medium Dutch oven or electric fryer to 365°F. Drop the batter by heaping tablespoons into the hot oil, frying 4 to 5 fritters at a time. Fry until golden brown, turning once for even cooking. Remove fritters and drain on paper towels.
- Coat with powdered sugar: Place powdered sugar in a large zip-top or brown paper bag. Add half of the fritters and shake to coat evenly. Repeat with remaining fritters.
- Serve: Enjoy the fritters warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using cooled, well-mashed rice helps achieve a smooth fritter batter.
- Allowing the batter to ferment overnight adds depth of flavor and improves texture.
- Maintain oil temperature at 365°F to ensure fritters cook thoroughly without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lower oil temperature and result in oily fritters.
- Shaking in powdered sugar while warm helps the sugar adhere nicely to the fritters.
Keywords: Sweet Rice Fritters, Calas, fried rice balls, yeasted fritters, Creole dessert, powdered sugar fritters
Find it online: https://topreci.com/sweet-rice-fritters-calas-recipe/
