Firi Firi
Tahitian doughnut rings flavoured with coconut milk, a beloved breakfast treat.
About This Recipe
Firi Firi are ring-shaped fried doughnuts made with coconut milk instead of dairy. They are eaten warm at breakfast throughout French Polynesia, often dipped in coffee or hot chocolate. This firi firi is shaped by the home cooks who refined it across generations, balancing tradition with everyday practicality. The aroma at the table — warm, inviting, a little buttery — is exactly what a good morning calls for. Home cooks return to it because the technique is forgiving once the order of operations clicks: build aromatics first, season in layers, and let time do the heavy lifting. The result lands somewhere between everyday and special — humble enough for a weeknight, generous enough for company.
Ingredients
Serves 12
- 300 gplain flour
- 7 ginstant yeast
- 200 mlcoconut milk(warm)
- 2 tbspsugar
- 1 tspsalt
- 600 mloil(for frying)
Instructions
- 1
Make dough
Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm coconut milk and knead for 8 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest 1 hour.
- 2
Shape rings
Divide dough into 12 pieces, roll each into a rope and form into a ring, pinching ends to seal.
- 3
Second rise
Place rings on a floured surface, cover, and rest 20 minutes.
- 4
Fry
Heat oil to 170°C and fry rings 2–3 at a time for 2–3 minutes per side until deep golden.
Low and steady heat ensures the dough cooks through without burning.
- 5
Drain and serve
Drain on paper towels and serve warm, dusted with icing sugar if desired.
Did you make this?
Rate it and help other cooks find the recipes that actually work.
One tap to sign in, and we'll save the rating you just picked.
Everything you need to plan your week — free
- Meal calendar
- Grocery list
- AI recipe ideas
Cook this hands-free
Get AI meal plans, step-by-step cooking mode, and your saved recipes in the free Bento app.
Pro Tips
- →
Don't rush the rise — the coconut milk dough benefits from full proofing.
- →
Oil temperature control is crucial; use a thermometer.
- →
Taste and adjust salt at the very end — flavors concentrate as liquids reduce, and a final pinch of flaky salt sharpens the whole dish.
- →
Mise en place pays for itself: chop, measure and pre-mix everything before the heat goes on, especially for any step that moves fast.
Variations
- •
Fill with coconut jam (coconut cream cooked with sugar).
- •
Add vanilla extract to the dough.
- •
Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.
- •
Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.
Storage
Best eaten the day of frying. Store in an airtight container for 1 day.
History & Origin
Firi Firi are sold every morning at markets throughout Tahiti and French Polynesia, an institution of island breakfast culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake them instead of frying?
The texture will be different but you can bake at 190°C for 15 minutes.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — most of the components can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated separately. Reheat gently and assemble just before serving so textures stay distinct.
What can I substitute if I don't have all the ingredients?
Stay close to the role each ingredient plays: swap aromatics for similar ones (shallot for onion, lime for lemon), and keep the fat-acid-salt balance intact. Spice blends can usually be approximated with what's in the cupboard.
How do I know it's authentic?
Authenticity sits on a spectrum — what matters more is honoring the technique and balance of flavors. If the dish tastes harmonious and respects how cooks in its home region would build it, you're on solid ground.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 12 servings total
Time Summary
Have Questions?
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →Featured in Guides
This recipe is featured in the following curated guides:
More French-polynesian Recipes
You Might Also Like
Similar dishes from other cuisines around the world.
Free Kitchen Tools
Calculators and converters that pair with this page — no signup needed.
Put This Into a Plan
Schedule it, shop for it, and track what you already have.
Read Next
Longer reads that go deeper on the ideas behind this dish.
Community
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes