Vegan Zeppole (Italian Donuts)

Zeppole bring warm memories, simple ingredients, and a crisp bite that’s perfect any time of year. This dessert is a staple in Italian-American kitchens and is often made for celebrations. This vegan version keeps the texture light and the flavor rich, without eggs or dairy. Not familiar with Zeppole? Think pillowy-soft dough, fried to perfection, and dusted with powdered sugar.

Ingredients Needed to Make Vegan Zeppole:

  • Warm non-dairy milk – You activate the yeast and create a soft dough.
  • Sugar – Helps activate the yeast and lightly sweetens the dough.
  • Active dry yeast – Helps create a fluffy, airy dough. 
  • Vanilla extract – Adds a subtle vanilla flavor.
  • Salt – Balances sweetness and improves dough structure.
  • Olive oil or melted vegan butter – Either works in the recipe. We’ve tested it with both, and you can’t go wrong. For vegan butter, we like to use Country Crock plant butter. 
  • All-purpose flour – Ideal for making light, fluffy zeppole. 
  • Oil for frying – We like to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like avocado, vegetable, or canola oil. 
  • Powdered sugar – The perfect topping to finish off your freshly fried zeppole. 

Find the full printable recipe here: Vegan Zeppole (Italian Donuts)