I’m 100% Portuguese, with all my ancestors coming from the Azores islands. We recently made a trip to the Azores islands with our family to explore our great-great-great-grandparents’ homestead and meet relatives.
Portuguese donuts, called “fillozes,” are a favorite that my grandmother and great grandmother would make around Eastertime. Today, my family enjoys them year round. Be careful; they’re addictive!
FILLOZES (Portuguese Donuts)
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 yeast cake
- 1 cube butter
- 3 tbsp. sugar (plus more to dust finished Fillozes)
- 9 eggs
How to make the donuts:
- Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water.
- Beat eggs well, add sugar, beat well, then add dissolved yeast.
- Mix all with 3 cups flour and work together until it forms a soft dough, beating well.
- Melt butter and let it cool to lukewarm.
- Pour into the dough and work together well.
- Cover with a tea towel and set in warm place to rise until double in size.
- Heat 1 cup or more of oil to a boil on low fire.
- Put milk in a saucer, dip your hands in milk.
- Take one tablespoon of dough in your hand – keep stretching until it’s round and medium thin.
- Drop the piece into the oil, turning as needed with a fork to brown on both sides.
- Coat each one in sugar while still warm. Enjoy!
Storage Tips and Reheating
Fresh Portuguese donuts are always best, but here’s how to preserve that just-made taste:
- Same day: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours
- Longer storage: Freeze unfilled donuts in freezer bags for up to one month
- Reheating: Warm frozen fillozes in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, then dust with fresh sugar
- Pro tip: Never refrigerate—this makes them tough and chewy
Making fillozes at a family picnic
The Origins of Fillozes
Filhós (the more common Portuguese spelling) are traditional pastries with strong roots in the inland regions of central Northern Portugal, though they have been a festive staple for centuries in the Azores.
The name and preparation methods vary slightly by region – filhós are made by stretching out the dough with your hands into flat shapes and frying them, whereas malasadas involve dropping the dough into oil by large tablespoons.
Religious and Cultural Significance
Filhós are traditionally made during the week of Carnaval Filhós (the period before Lent). My family’s Easter tradition shows how these beloved treats have evolved beyond their original seasonal boundaries.
While traditionally a Christmas bake in Portugal, they are now commercialized throughout the year.
From the Azores to the World: How Portuguese Immigrants Carried Their Sweet Traditions
When the S.S. Priscilla arrived in Honolulu Harbor on September 30, 1878, after 116 days at sea from Funchal, Madeira, it carried more than just Portuguese workers seeking opportunity in Hawaii’s sugar plantations.
They brought with them their traditional foods, including fried doughnuts they called malassadas—now commonly spelled as malasadas. These doughnuts are more closely related to the bola de berlim, a fried doughnut widely served on the beaches in Portugal.
Portuguese people from Madeira and the Azores first made them in Hawaii. They would use up butter and sugar before Lent, just as families like mine continue to do with our fillozes. This tradition of making malasadas on “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins, shows how deeply these sweet treats are woven into Portuguese Catholic traditions.
The Portuguese diaspora didn’t stop in Hawaii. Our people carried these cherished recipes to Brazil, Canada, the United States mainland, and countless other destinations. For many with Portuguese heritage, traditional cuisine is a source of comfort and pride. Recipes passed down through generations are cooked and shared, often becoming a significant part of cultural festivals and family gatherings. Food in Portugal transcends mere nourishment—it represents a celebration of identity and community.
The Cultural Heart of Portuguese Celebrations
In Portuguese culture, fillozes and their cousins (malasadas, filhós) aren’t just desserts—they’re edible connections to our faith and community. In Portuguese culture, malasadas are often associated with celebrations, particularly leading up to Lent. These golden, sugar-dusted treats represent the final indulgence before the solemnity of Lent, a time when families would gather to use up rich ingredients like butter, eggs, and sugar.
Beyond religious observances, these donuts appear at village festivals, family reunions, and moments of celebration. They’re the taste of home, whether that home is in the Azores, Madeira, or a Portuguese community halfway around the world.
The Perfect Pairing: Coffee and Conversation
No discussion of Portuguese sweets is complete without mentioning coffee. You can find coffeehouses in almost every street of every city, town, and village; they are simply called café, Portuguese for ‘coffee’. Going to “the café” or going out to “take a coffee” are linguistic expressions, meaning “going out” or a calm encounter with someone.
Fillozes are traditionally enjoyed with a strong Portuguese coffee—preferably an espresso-style café—or with tea during afternoon gatherings. The contrast between the sweet, pillowy donut and the robust, bitter coffee creates the perfect balance that has satisfied Portuguese palates for generations.
Seasonal Variations of Portuguese Donuts
While my grandmother made Portuguese donuts primarily for Easter, many Portuguese families have their own seasonal twists:
- Christmas versions might include a hint of orange zest or lemon
- Carnival preparations often feature extra sugar and festive shapes
- Summer gatherings might see them served with fresh fruit preserves
- Modern adaptations sometimes include filled versions with custard or jam
In our family, we’ve learned to make smaller batches year-round because, as I mentioned, they’re dangerously addictive!
The magic of fillozes lies not just in their taste, but in their ability to transport us. Every bite connects us to our ancestors, our homeland, and the broader Portuguese community scattered across the globe.
Food plays a vital role in community building and cultural preservation. Traditional cuisine is often at the center of community events and celebrations, serving as a means of bringing people together and reinforcing cultural identity. My family’s traditional Portuguese recipes have been passed down and enjoyed for many generations!
When I make fillozes today, I’m not just following a recipe. I’m participating in a tradition that has survived ocean crossings, cultural adaptations, and generations of Portuguese families determined to keep their heritage alive, one golden donut at a time.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 16, 2016, and has since been updated.