Sfenj

Sfenj is a North African doughnut-like pastry made from a yeast-based dough, often with semolina flour. It is commonly fried, served warm, and finished with honey or powdered sugar.

Sfenj traditionally has a lighter, irregular ring shape and a chewy, airy interior rather than the uniform cake or yeast doughnut shape common in many Western bakeries. It is also associated with North African street-food and home-cooking traditions.

Orange blossom water and anise are common flavorings, although recipes differ by region and household. The pastry can be served plain, sweetened with honey, or dusted with powdered sugar.

Sfenj is best eaten warm soon after frying, when the outside is crisp and the inside remains airy. It is commonly enjoyed with tea or coffee as a breakfast or snack.