Hungarian Fried Bread (Langos)

Written by
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Barbara Rolek
Updated 10/19/19
Hungarian Fried Bread
The Spruce
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 5 mins
  • Rise: 80 mins
  • Yield: 4 langos fried breads (serves 4)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
305 Calories
9g Fat
48g Carbs
9g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 langos fried breads (serves 4)
Amount per serving
Calories 305
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 401mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 5g 16%
Protein 9g
Calcium 202mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Langos is Hungarian fried bread, sometimes called Hungarian pizza. It is a favorite street and fair food that has a yeast dough made with mashed potatoes and flour.

This snack became part of the country's cuisine centuries ago when it was introduced by the Turks during their occupation.

Today it's a popular appetizer or snack usually simply rubbed with garlic and sprinkled with salt. Some incorporate caraway seeds into the dough.

Ingredients

  • 1 large potato (freshly boiled, peeled, mashed and kept warm; don't use leftover mashed potatoes)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast (same as rapid-rise or bread machine yeast)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cloves garlic (cut in half)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Hungarian fried bread ingredients
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  2. Place freshly mashed warm potatoes, yeast, sugar, flour, oil, salt, and milk into a medium mixing bowl or stand mixer.

    Combine mashed warm potatoes, yeast, sugar, flour, oil, salt, and milk into a medium mixing bowl
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  3. Using the paddle attachment, combine the ingredients until they are well moistened.

    Combine ingredients
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  4. Switch to the dough hook and knead for 5 to 7 minutes or until smooth and elastic.

    Use dough hook to knead
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  5. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.

    Transfer to bowl, cover and let rise
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  6. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place on a lightly floured board. Cover and let rest 20 minutes.

    Divide dough into equal portions
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  7. In a large skillet, heat 1-inch canola oil to 350 F.

  8. Flatten and stretch each dough ball to about an 8-inch diameter. Make 1 or more slits in the center of the stretched dough. This is traditional and also helps to keep the dough from puffing up in the middle and not frying properly.

    Flatten and stretch each dough ball
    The Spruce

  9. Fry one langos at a time about 2 minutes per side or until golden. Drain on paper towels.

  10. Serve hot rubbed with a cut garlic clove and sprinkled with salt.

    Hungarian fried bread Langos
    The Spruce  

  11. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

  • After rubbing with garlic and sprinkling with salt, a savory variation would include topping with sour cream and chopped dill or shredded Emmenthaler or Gruyère cheese.
  • For a sweet version, eliminate the garlic and salt and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or confectioners' sugar much like the elephant ears found at festivals and fairs in the States.

Hungarian Hangover Cures

Among the many Hungarian hangover remedies is the practice of eating langos generously rubbed with a cut clove of garlic and night owl soup or korhelyleves. This soup is a hearty combination of sauerkraut and smoked meats.