The Venice Carnival is a triumph of colours, masks and traditions, but no party would be complete without its sweet symbol: the frittelle. These delicious golden morsels, covered in sugar, have conquered generations of palates and are still the gastronomic symbol of Carnival today (click here to discover the other typical dishes of Venice).
But how were they born and what makes them so special? Let’s find out together!
The story of a legendary dessert
The frittelle, or fritoe in Venetian dialect, have their roots in the Renaissance. In 1700 they were even declared the “national dessert” of the Veneto State. The original recipe included ingredients such as goat’s milk, saffron and lard, and were prepared by fritoleri, artisans who sold these hot delights in the streets of Venice.
The fritoleri were organized into a corporation made up of around seventy members, each with an exclusive area in which to carry out their activity. They prepared frittelle by kneading eggs, flour, sugar, raisins and pine nuts on large wooden tables, then frying them in giant pans. Their craft was handed down from father to son over time, and their art remained until the end of the nineteenth century.
Frittelle today
Today, venetian frittelle are still the protagonists of Carnival, especially in their classic version with raisins, always covered in sugar. But modern variations have made them even more irresistible: filled with custard, zabaglione, chocolate, pistachio or Nutella. Who has never buried their nose in the icing sugar of a soft filled frittella?
And we cannot forget the chiacchiere, also known as galani or frappe, thin strips of fried and crunchy dough.
Conclusion
Frittelle are not just a dessert, but also a symbol that tells the story and traditions of the Serenissima. And if you want to experience the Venice Carnival like a true Venetian, you can’t miss the best places to taste them!
Discover our itinerary on Easy Guide “2025 – Experience Carnival”, with a selection of the best pastry shops in Venice where you can taste authentic pancakes and other typical Carnival desserts.
Don’t miss the opportunity to make your Carnival unforgettable. Book now and let yourself be conquered by the flavors of the Serenissima!
