Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts Recipe (Oliebollen)

Posted: December 30, 2025 Last modified: January 4, 2026
Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts Recipe (Oliebollen)

Last year I already shared my favorite recipe for oliebollen or Dutch Doughnuts. One of the most famous traditional Dutch foods. But today I am sharing a twist on the classic. I’ve combined these delicious oliebollen with another Dutch classic: stroopwafels. Here’s my recipe for Dutch doughnuts with stroopwafel!

Why I Love This Recipe

As a ‘Dutchie’, I love myself some oliebollen! And I love to make several varieties as well.  It’s always fun to give them a little twist. And I think this version with stroopwafels is possibly one of my all-time favorites.

  • Oliebollen are really easy to make
  • This recipe combines two Dutch classics: oliebollen and stroopwafels
  • Although oliebollen are traditionally eaten with New Years Eve, you can absolutely enjoy them all-year round.

What Are These Dutch Ingredients?

If you’ve never heard of stroopwafels, they are a very specific cookie that is quite famous as a traditional Dutch pastry. I’ve included the photo below, as well as a photo of regular Dutch oliebollen.

Oliebollen are served during the festive season and most famous for being served around New Year’s Eve.

Recipe Ingredients

Apart from the ingredients used for the oliebollen, you will need stroopwafels or a similar cookie.

  • milk – I use regular milk for this recipe, but you can also go for plant-based milk
  • yeast – you will need active dry yeast for this recipe
  • flour – I use regular all-purpose flour for this recipe
  • stroopwafels – make them yourself with this stroopwafel recipe or use an alternative cookie

Make sure to double-check the quantities in the recipe card below for full details.

Dutch stroopwafels recipe

Traditional dutch oliebollen

How To Make Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts

For making these stroopwafel oliebollen you will need a deep fryer or something that is suitable for frying food. We used a Dutch oven. Something similar works fine too.

You start by warming the milk and add the yeast and the sugar. Stir to combine and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. You will see the yeast starting to form bubbles.

In a large bowl combine the flour and the salt. Add the egg and mix it through. Once combined, slowly pour in the milk mixture. Keep mixing it until you have a smooth batter.

Chop the stroopwafels into smaller pieces. Not too small and not too large. You should be able to distribute them evenly through the dough balls.

Now cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about an hour. Or until roughly doubled in volume.

Frying

Now it’s time to start making the Dutch donuts. Heat the oil to 350˚F/180˚C

For forming the donuts I like to use an ice cream scoop. This is the easiest method, but you can also use two spoons. Dip the scoop or the spoons into the hot oil first. That way they will easily slide from the scoop into the oil.

Fry each doughnut for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. If they don’t flip on their own turn them halfway using a spoon or a fork.

Once fried make sure to place the oliebollen in a colander lined with paper towels. The paper will help absorb the excess oil and will crisp them up nicely. Be sure to replace the paper regularly as it will get soaked with the oil at some point.

Storing Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts

You can store the Dutch Doughnuts once baked for 1-2 days. Keep them covered and outside of the fridge. You can eat them cold or reheat them.

Reheating Dutch Doughnuts

You can reheat them in the oven for a few minutes at 350˚F/180˚C. Reheating in the microwave is an option too but they will become a bit softer if you do.

How long you’ll need with the microwave depends on how many oliebollen you want to reheat. For 3 pieces, I reheat them for about 40 seconds.

Can I freeze Dutch Doughnuts?

Freezing the Dutch doughnuts can be done too. You can keep them for three months once frozen. Once defrosted you can easily reheat them in the oven or microwave.

Dutch Doughnuts with stroopwafel-2

FAQ Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts

Can I use caramel waffle cookies instead of stroopwafels?

Yes! If you can’t find traditional Dutch stroopwafels, caramel waffle cookies are a great substitute. Just make sure they’re firm enough to chop into small pieces.

Why didn’t my batter rise?

Most often this happens when the milk was too hot (which kills the yeast) or too cold (which slows activation). The milk should be lukewarm, about the temperature of a warm bath. Also check that your yeast is fresh and not expired.

My oliebollen turned dark too quickly. What went wrong?

This usually means the oil was too hot. Make sure it stays around 350°F (180°C). If the outside browns instantly while the inside stays raw, lower the heat slightly.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

It’s best to fry the oliebollen right after the first rise. If you need to prep ahead, you can mix the dough and slow the rising process by placing it in the fridge for a few hours. Let it come back to room temperature before frying.

 

Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts

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Stroopwafel Dutch Doughnuts(oliebollen)

Oliebollen with stroopwafels, absolutely fantastic! We loved every bite, and hopefully you will too.
Preparation1 hour
Cooking30 minutes
Total1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 20 pieces

Ingredients 

  • 500 ml milk
  • 7 grams active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 2 tbsp white granulated sugar or more to taste
  • 500 grams all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 egg medium
  • 300 grams stroopwafels chopped
  • Sunflower oil for frying

Instructions

  • Heat the milk until lukewarm, add the yeast and sugar, and stir briefly. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes; you’ll see the yeast start to bubble.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Give it a quick stir. Add the egg and mix it into the flour. While mixing, slowly pour in the warm milk mixture. Keep mixing until you have a smooth batter.
  • Fold the chopped stroopwafels evenly into the batter.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rise in a warm spot for one hour, or until doubled in volume.
  • About 15-20 minutes before the batter is done rising, heat a pot of oil to 180°C/350°F.
  • To form the oliebollen, you can use two spoons or -the easiest method- an ice cream scoop. Dip the scoop into the hot oil first, then scoop 4-5 portions of batter into the pot.
  • Fry the oliebollen for 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Turn them halfway through if they don’t flip on their own.
  • Dip your scoop back into the oil before shaping each new batch to prevent sticking and oddly shaped oliebollen. No need to clean the scoop each time.
  • Once fried, place the oliebollen into a colander lined with paper towels, then transfer them to a tray lined with fresh paper towels. This helps absorb excess oil. Be sure to replace the paper regularly.
Tips

The amount of sunflower oil you need depends on the size of your pot. We used a Dutch oven that held 2 liters of oil. Do not fill the pot to the rim. How many oliebollen you can fry at once also depends on the size of your pot. Make sure they have enough space.
How to store

Oliebollen are best eaten within 1-2 days. You can also freeze them, they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat them easily in the oven or microwave.

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