Quick answer
What do you fry for Carnival?
Doughnuts filled with jam or plum butter, angel wings, fried knots, and other deep-fried sweets. Traditionally it runs from Fat Thursday to the end of Carnival.
Carnival / Mardi Gras
Carnival is the last indulgent feast before Lent — and anything that can be fried, gets fried. Fluffy jam-filled doughnuts, crisp sugar-dusted angel wings, and fried knots crowd the table from Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday. Find recipes for the sweet treats and the hearty pork spread alike. Heat the oil and dig in.
Frequently asked questions
When is Carnival?
It kicks off after Epiphany and peaks on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The date follows Easter, so it shifts every year — the finale usually lands in February.
Why is Carnival all about frying and feasting?
It's the last blowout before a forty-day fast — the rich, fatty stores in the pantry had to be used up while they still could be. That's where Fat Thursday and its hearty meat dishes come from.
How do I get doughnuts to come out fluffy?
Let the dough rise fully, shape the rounds gently, and fry in deep, properly hot oil. A pale ring around the middle means they proofed right.
What are angel wings?
Thin, crisp pastry ribbons flavored with rum or lemon zest, fried golden and dusted with powdered sugar. They're done in seconds, so don't walk away from the pan.