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Cannoli

Cannoli are Sicilian pastries made from tube-shaped fried pastry shells filled with a sweet, creamy filling, most often based on ricotta cheese.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Cannoli are Sicilian pastries made from tube-shaped fried pastry shells filled with a sweet, creamy filling, most often based on ricotta cheese. They are a well-known dessert in Italian and Italian-American cuisine, and are typically filled shortly before serving to keep the shells crisp.

Description

Cannoli are a classic Italian dessert made from fried pastry shells shaped like tubes and filled with a sweet cream, usually ricotta-based. The shells are meant to stay crisp, so the filling is typically added just before serving.

Origin

Cannoli originated in Sicily and are closely associated with Sicilian culinary tradition. Sources describe them as a traditional dessert from southern Italy, especially Sicily.

Ingredients and preparation

The shell is made from pastry dough that is shaped into tubes and deep-fried. The filling is usually ricotta cheese sweetened with sugar and may include flavourings such as citrus, chocolate, candied fruit, nuts, or liqueur.

Serving and storage

Cannoli are usually assembled shortly before serving because moisture from the filling can soften the shell. Some recipes note that filled cannoli can be frozen if they need to be made ahead.

Key facts

  • Cannoli are tube-shaped pastries with a crisp fried shell and sweet filling.
  • The filling is traditionally made with ricotta cheese and sugar.
  • Cannoli are associated with Sicilian cuisine and are widely known in Italian-American food culture.
  • The plural form is cannoli; the singular is cannolo.
  • They are best filled shortly before eating to prevent the shell from becoming soggy.
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Canadian context

Cannoli are commonly available in Canadian bakeries, Italian delis, and restaurants, especially in cities with large Italian Canadian communities.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cannoli?
A cannoli is a Sicilian pastry with a fried tube-shaped shell filled with a sweet cream, usually made with ricotta cheese.
How to make cannoli?
Make or buy fried pastry shells, prepare a sweet ricotta-based filling, then pipe the filling into the shells shortly before serving to keep them crisp.
What is cannoli filling made of?
Traditional cannoli filling is made from ricotta cheese and sugar, often with flavourings such as vanilla, citrus zest, chocolate chips, nuts, or candied fruit.
Where did cannoli originate?
Cannoli originated in Sicily, Italy, and are strongly associated with Sicilian dessert traditions.
How many calories in a cannoli?
Calories vary by size and recipe, but a typical cannoli often contains about 200 to 300 calories.
Can you freeze cannoli?
Yes. Unfilled shells and some filled cannoli can be frozen, but filled cannoli are best frozen only if necessary because the shell may lose crispness when thawed.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannoli
    Supports: Definition of cannoli as a deep-fried tube of pastry filled with sweetened and flavored ricotta cheese.
  2. La Cucina Italiana — https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/glossary/cannoli
    Supports: Sicilian origin, shell and filling composition, and the recommendation to fill cannoli shortly before eating.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/cannoli
    Supports: Cannoli as a sweet food originally from southern Italy made from fried pastry filled with sweet cream.
  4. Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-a-cannoli/
    Supports: General description, typical ingredients, and note that filled cannoli can be frozen if made ahead.
  5. Vocabulary.com — https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cannoli
    Supports: Plural/singular form and etymology meaning 'small tube.'
  6. Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/cannoli
    Supports: General definition of cannoli as a pastry filled with sweetened cheese.