Culture & Lifestyle • Food & Drink

Zeppole

Zeppole are Italian pastries made from deep-fried dough, often dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with custard, jelly, or other sweet fillings.

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

Zeppole are Italian pastries made from deep-fried dough, often dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with custard, jelly, or other sweet fillings. They are especially associated with Saint Joseph’s Day, though regional recipes and names vary across Italy and Italian-American communities.

Definition

Zeppole are a type of Italian pastry made from fried dough. Sources describe them as doughnut-like fritters or pastries, with some versions using cream puff-style dough.

Ingredients and variations

Common versions are dusted with powdered sugar and may be filled with pastry cream, jelly, ricotta-based fillings, or honey-and-butter mixtures. Regional recipes differ in texture, shape, and whether the pastry is fried or baked.

Cultural significance

Zeppole are traditionally eaten for Saint Joseph’s Day, a Catholic feast day observed on March 19. This association is especially strong in southern Italy and in Italian-American food traditions.

Regional and diaspora forms

The pastry appears in multiple regional forms, including Neapolitan and Sardinian variations, and in some Italian-American contexts is sold as street food. Descriptions in source material show that the term can cover more than one style of pastry.

Key facts

Zeppole are traditional Italian fried pastries, often described as doughnut-like fritters.
They are commonly dusted with powdered sugar and may be filled with custard, jelly, or other fillings.
Zeppole are strongly associated with Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19.
Regional recipes vary, with different shapes, textures, and preparations across Italy and Italian-American communities.

🍁

Canadian context

Zeppole are found in Italian-Canadian bakeries, festivals, and Saint Joseph’s Day observances, especially in communities with strong Italian heritage.

Frequently asked questions

What are zeppole?

Zeppole are Italian fried pastries, often described as doughnut-like fritters, usually dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with cream or other sweet fillings.

Are zeppole only eaten in Italy?

No. They are traditional in Italy, but they are also widely associated with Italian-American communities and celebrations.

What holiday are zeppole linked to?

They are most closely linked to Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19.

Are zeppole always filled?

No. Some versions are plain and topped with sugar, while others are filled with custard, jelly, or similar fillings.

Is zeppole singular or plural?

Zeppola is the singular form; zeppole is the plural form.

References

Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zeppole
Supports: Dictionary definition describing zeppole as a doughnut made from cream puff dough.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeppole
Supports: General description, ingredients, regional variation, and Saint Joseph’s Day association.
Collins Dictionary — https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/zeppole
Supports: Definition as a deep-fried pastry somewhat like a doughnut.
Quahog.org — https://quahog.org/index.php/Cuisine/Miscellaneous/Zeppole_and_Saint_Josephs_Day
Supports: Saint Joseph’s Day association, pronunciation note, and choux-pastry style in some regions.
ThatStartEndContain — https://www.thatstartendcontain.com/foods/zeppole/
Supports: Regional forms, Saint Joseph’s Day usage, and Italian-American street-fair context.