Angel wings
Crisp, deep-fried ribbons of dough dusted with powdered sugar
Angel wings are thin strips of dough, twisted, deep-fried until crisp, and finished with powdered sugar. Found in many European cuisines, they are especially popular before Lent, during Carnival, and on Fat Thursday. The treat is made from a simple dough, sometimes enriched with eggs or alcohol, and is enjoyed at festive times and family gatherings.
- Twisted ribbons of dough, deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar
- Eaten across Europe, especially before Lent and during Carnival
- Known as faworki in Poland, chiacchiere in Italy, bugnes in France
- Hungarian version includes brandy or cognac in the dough
- Lithuanian skruzdėlynas layers fried strips with honey and poppy seeds
What is Angel wings?
Angel wings are a sweet pastry made from dough rolled thin, cut into strips, twisted into ribbons or knots, and deep-fried until crisp. Once cooked, they are generously dusted with powdered sugar. The dough may include eggs, flour, sugar, and sometimes a splash of alcohol or dairy for richness. The result is a light, crunchy treat with a delicate sweetness from the sugar. They are often golden and fragile, breaking easily with a bite.
Where does Angel wings come from?
Angel wings have roots in many European countries, with each region developing its own version and name. In Poland, they are known as faworki or chrusty, and in Italy as chiacchiere, with other names found in France, Croatia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. The treat is closely tied to the pre-Lenten period, especially Carnival and Fat Thursday, when rich foods were enjoyed before the fasting season. Immigrants brought the tradition to the United States, where it remains popular in communities with Eastern European heritage.
How is Angel wings made?
To make angel wings, a simple dough is prepared, often with flour, eggs, sugar, and sometimes alcohol or dairy. The dough is rolled out thin and cut into strips, which are twisted or knotted. These shapes are then deep-fried in hot fat, such as lard or oil, until crisp and golden. After frying, the pastries are drained and dusted with powdered sugar. Some regional recipes add citrus zest or use different fats for frying.
How and when is Angel wings eaten?
Angel wings are most often eaten as a snack or with tea, especially during festive times like Carnival, Fat Thursday, and before Lent. In some countries, they are also enjoyed at weddings or family celebrations. They are served cold and are easy to share, making them popular at gatherings. In the United States, they are found in bakeries around Easter and Christmas, especially in cities with Eastern European communities.
Kinds of Angel wings
Many countries have their own versions: in France, bugnes can be either crunchy or soft; in Italy, chiacchiere may include citrus zest or anisette wine; in Hungary, csöröge uses brandy or cognac; Lithuania has both simple fried strips and a layered honey version called skruzdėlynas. The shape, thickness, and flavorings vary by region, but the core idea of a fried, sugared dough remains the same.
What Angel wings means
Angel wings are tied to the traditions of using up rich ingredients before Lent, when such foods would be avoided. In France, they were once made to use up surplus cooking fat. The pastries are a familiar sight at Carnival and Fat Thursday, and are part of family and community celebrations. Their many names reflect local languages and customs, and they are a symbol of festive indulgence before a period of restraint.
When Angel wings is on the table
Questions people ask about Angel wings
What are angel wings made of?
Angel wings are made from a dough of flour, eggs, sugar, and sometimes alcohol or dairy. The dough is rolled thin, cut into strips, twisted, deep-fried, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Where do angel wings come from?
Angel wings are found in many European countries, including Poland, Italy, France, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Croatia. Each country has its own name and slight variations.
When are angel wings usually eaten?
They are most commonly eaten before Lent, especially during Carnival and on Fat Thursday. In some places, they are also enjoyed at weddings, family gatherings, and holidays like Easter and Christmas.
Are angel wings always sweet?
Yes, they are a sweet pastry, always dusted with powdered sugar. Some versions may include extra flavorings like citrus zest or honey.
How are angel wings served?
Angel wings are served cold, often as a snack or with tea. They are easy to share and are popular at festive gatherings.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Angel wings", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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