Taralli pugliesi, also known simply as taralli, are an unleavened dough snack typical of Apulia, baked to a crisp. Taralli are shaped like small rings, called Tarallucci, but also have a larger elongated oval shape. The dough is made from durum wheat flour, white wine, oil and salt, often flavoured with fennel seeds.
Ideal as an apéritif or just as a daytime snack.
Makes about 30 Taralli | Preparation time: 30 mins + 3 to 4 hrs drying | Cooking approx: 40 mins
- Remilled Durum Wheat Semolina’s Flour: 500 g
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): 120 ml
- Dry white wine: 100 ml
- Salt: a tablespoon
- Fennel seeds: a heaped tablespoon
Method
Make a well with the sifted flour, slowly pour in the white wine, then the oil, a pinch of salt and the fennel seeds, mix first with a fork and then start kneading the dough with your hands until it is soft and of a homogeneous consistency.
Cover with cling film or a kitchen cloth and let the dough rest in a warm, dry place for 30 minutes.
Now start forming the taralli by taking a small portion of dough and rolling it into the shape of a breadstick about 10 cm long and about 1 cm in diameter; proceed in this way until the dough is finished.
Form an oval and close it by overlapping the two ends, sealing them by squeezing them with your finger.
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, immerse the taralli about 3-4 at a time, remove them from the water as soon as they rise to the surface.
Place them on a kitchen towel and leave them to dry for 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 400 F/Gas 6.
Arrange the taralli spaced out on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated, static oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. If they are still slightly moist, leave them in the oven for a few more minutes.

Allow Taralli to cool down completely on a wire rack before serving.

10 Comments
do you have any other suggestions besides the fennel for toppings, seeds or flavoring? or is fennel tradtional?
Yes, as I wrote, fennel seeds are traditional, but can find taralli even like that:
Most commonly, the taralli are prepared with fennel seeds, as in the recipe below. You can however also add chili flakes, anise or even small pieces of onion.
These are so fantastic! It took a bit of trial and error to get the hang of the right technique when shaping and boiling, but I finally got into a groove and the flavor was perfect!
Dear Whitney,
Your constancy has therefore been rewarded! Well done 🙂
I am very pleased to know that you appreciated them, and from time to time it becomes easier and easier to prepare Taralli.
This is always a hit with the family! We can’t get enough.
Hi Katie,
same thing by these parts, one leads to another and it’s hard to resist!
What a great recipe. I had never tried them before but I found them to be just delicious!
Thank you so much, Christina
I’m glad you found them delicious, they really are!
Our recipes are a little different, as is the way we shape our Taralli. I can’t wait to try your recipe! Buon Natale!
Different ways but all of them delicious.
Thank you, David ?
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