Kuwaiti

Khanfaroosh Kuwaiti

“Kuwait's version of the Gulf saffron-cardamom fried sweet — similar to luqaimat but with rice flour and a denser texture. Topped with date syrup, sesame seeds, and crushed pistachios. The Eid celebration sweet.”

Medium1.5 hours

Where it comes from

Khanfaroosh Kuwaiti is the Kuwaiti version of the Gulf saffron-cardamom fried sweet. The Kuwaiti version uses rice flour heavily for the distinctive texture.

On the plate

Khanfaroosh Kuwaiti — golden-puffy fried balls dripping with date syrup, sprinkled with sesame and bright-green pistachios. Bite: the rice flour gives a slightly chewier texture than luqaimat, the saffron's golden depth, cardamom's perfume, rose water's floral, the date syrup's caramel sweetness. With Kuwaiti gahwa, the iconic Eid sweet.

How it works

Rice flour gives the slightly denser, chewier texture distinguishing Kuwaiti khanfaroosh.

Variations

Khanfaroosh with honey. Modern Kuwait City versions.

On the Palate

Ingredients

Serves 6

1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp groundSaffron

1 tsp ground + for syrupCardamom

1 tbspRose Water

1 tbspOrange Blossom Water

for fryingVegetable Oil

350 mlWater

How it's made

10 steps · Show ↓

35 min active · 55 min waiting

1
3 min
Make dough: combine 200 g rice flour + 200 g all-purpose flour + 80 g sugar + 1 tsp yeast + 1 tsp ground cardamom + 1/2 tsp ground saffron + 1/2 tsp salt.
2
4 min
Add saffron-water (1/2 tsp in 2 tbsp water) + 350 ml warm water + 1 tbsp rose water + 1 tbsp orange blossom water + 50 g melted ghee.
3
4 min
Whisk to smooth batter.
4
60 min
Cover; rise 60 min.
5
8 min
Heat 3 cm oil to 175°C.
6
8 min
Drop spoonfuls; fry 3-4 min until golden-puffy. Drain.
7
3 min
Warm 300 g date syrup with cardamom.
8
2 min
Dip the khanfaroosh in date syrup or toss to coat.
9
1 min
Sprinkle with 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds + 2 tbsp chopped pistachios.
10
2 min
Serve warm with Kuwaiti gahwa.