Orange rolls: perfect for a delicious breakfast

Have you ever had a fried orange roll? If not, you're in for a treat! These doughy treats are seriously addicting. Orange rolls are made with just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. All you need is ricotta cheese, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, egg, oil for frying, flour, and powdered sugar. How could something so simple be so good? These little pillows of fried deliciousness are sugar-coated and bursting with fresh orange flavor. They are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or tea (because we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day!).

Orange Rolls Ingredients

Flour – use all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free blend)

Ricotta cheese – look for a good quality ricotta cheese

Sugar – you will need granulated or powdered sugar

Vegetable oil – Use a neutral oil suitable for frying at higher temperatures like canola, peanut, sunflower, or corn oil

Egg – one large egg

Orange – you will need a fresh orange for orange juice and orange zest.

Orange Rolls variations

Leave out the sugary topping, and spread with an icing glaze instead. Make an easy glaze icing by whisking together 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and up to 4 tsp milk (depending on the consistency you want). Drizzle or spread over the cooled spiral rolls. You can create different flavors of icing:

Orange Icing: Replace the vanilla and milk with orange juice and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest.

Almond Icing: Replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract and top with slivered almonds.

Maple Icing: Replace the vanilla extract with maple extract.

Cinnamon Icing: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the icing.

Coconut Icing: Replace the vanilla extract with coconut extract and top with shredded, sweetened coconut.

Cream Cheese: mix together 4 ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (or powdered sugar), sifted 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and 3 to 4 tablespoons milk.

Tips

If you prefer, you can also bake the spirals in the oven at 375°F/190°C for 18-20 minutes.

How to Store Orange Rolls

Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.

Can I Make Orange Rolls in the Airfryer?

Yes, you can, but you might need to make them in batches if you have a small Airfryer. Place the spirals with parchment paper in the Airfryer basket, then cook at 375°F/190°C for 20 minutes.

Instructions

Mix flour, sugar, egg, ricotta cheese, baking powder, orange zest, and orange juice.

Knead until you get a smooth, springy dough.

Divide the dough into smaller pieces.

Form a long strip about 1cm/0.5 inches thick and roll into a spiral and fry it in vegetable oil.

Place each spiral on a square of parchment paper.

Carefully lower the spirals into medium-hot oil. Fry until the top is golden, then flip, and continue to fry until golden and cooked through.

Mix granulated sugar with powdered sugar in a separate bowl. Roll the cooked spirals in the sugar mixture and serve.