Rose Harissa Paste Recipe

Rose Harissa Paste is a North African chili paste, originating from Tunisian cuisine. It is an easy recipe that will add a spicy kick to your meals.

This no-cook Rose Harissa Paste recipe is so easy to follow – within minutes, you can make this homemade fiery paste! Rose harissa is naturally vegan and gluten-free.

This recipe is a must for hot sauce aficionados! You’ve probably already tried Sriracha, Korean gochujang, sambal oelek and tabasco and even normal Harissa paste so rose harissa is the new one to add!

Many recipes call for harissa paste and whilst it is fairly easy to buy it from the supermarket, it often lacks flavour and is also incredibly pricy for a small jar! The benefit of making your own harissa paste is maximum flavour and budget friendly!

I love making my own Harissa paste. Not only is it rewarding, but it means I know exactly what I am putting in.

What is Harissa and Rose Harissa paste?

Harissa is a spicy chilli paste originating from Tunisia and is used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is made from red chilli peppers, garlic, cumin, caraway and olive oil.

The word Harissa comes from the Arabic harasa, meaning ‘ to pound’ or ‘ break into pieces .’ Similarly, a straight translation of the Italian pestare, means to ‘pound’ or ‘crush’ – this is where ‘pesto’ from.

Harissa has a slow-burning heat, that is balanced with sweet smokiness that adds real depth of flavour to any dish.

It is traditionally used to add a savoury spicy kick to many recipes such as stews, soups and couscous.

Harissa paste and rose harrisa paste are essentially the same except rose harrisa contains either rose petals or rose water to flavour it.

The addition of dried rose petals gives a wonderful floral aroma.

Why homemade?

Easy recipe – this recipe only requires you to blend ingredients together.

Ready within 5 minutes – if you have the ingredients to hand, the recipe simply takes 5 minutes!

Adjust heat levels – want your harissa spice hotter or milder? It is easy to make this adjustment-

Fresh flavours

Lasts a long time

Budget friendly

Ingredients:

This recipe gives you rose harissa with a chilli kick but you can tone it down by using less spicy ingredients. Remember that the paste may seem spicy but it will dilute once added to your recipe!

Chili peppers – use either fresh red chillies or dried red chillies that have been soaked in warm water for around 1 hour. Alternatively use red peppers for less heat but the same vibrant colour. Bell peppers or capsicum provide a peppery flavour

Garlic cloves – use fresh garlic cloves

Ground cumin and coriander powder – pre-ground spices are easily available in most supermarkets. You can ofcourse buy the whole spices, toast them and then crush.

Caraway seeds – aka meridian fennel or persian cumin, these seeds have a liquorice type flavour. Note that they are different to cumin seeds.

Dried Rose petals – easily available in supermarkets, they add gorgeous colour and flavour

Rose water – for extra rose flavor, I like to add rose water as well as rose petals. Rose water is usually available in the world food aisle section of most supermarkets

Extra virgin olive oil you can optionally use sunflower oil

Salt

Optional

You can add tomato paste or roasted red pepper.

A dash of lime juice alternatively use lemon juice.

How to make homemade harissa paste with rose petals

You will need a good food processor for this. Use a jug blender if you are making a large batch or a spice grinder/mini chopper if making a small amount. Make sure your spice grinder can take wet ingredients!

This recipe is no cook so all that is required is blending!

If you use dried chillies, you will have to soak them in hot water for an hour or so. This step is important as dried chillies will not grind down to a paste if not pre-soaked.

Add all of the ingredients to your food processor and blend. Scrape down the sides as you go.

Coarsey grinding will lead to a chunky paste but you can smooth it out to a smooth paste by adding a little extra olive oil as you go.

Go easy on the rose water and add it slowly. Too much rose water can give an artificial smell and taste which we definitely do not want!

Storage

Harissa paste is best stored in a glass jar and kept in the fridge. I like to add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to the top before closing the lid. The oil helps with preservation. Keep topping up with olive oil as you go.

You can store rose harissa paste in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Any leftover oil once the paste has finished will now be infused with incredible flavours! You can use this oil in your cooking.

You can also freeze rose harissa by spooning it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop them into a freezer friendly bag and use a cube whenever you need it. Thaw at room temperature or use the defrost function in your microwave.

How to use Rose Harissa Paste

A little goes a long way with harissa paste. In fact, uou will only need a spoonful of harissa for most recipes. I love to use it in soups such as this Tomato, Harissa and Orzo Soup

I also like to add it to pasta sauce for sweet smokiness that is hard to beat!

Here are some quick ideas that you may like to try:

• Add to mayo or yogurt for an easy dip (I made a dip using this paste for Air Fryer Potato Slices )
• Top hummus with a spoonful of harissa and swirl through
• Add to tomato sauce
• Stir into cooked couscous
• Add to stuffed peppers

Rose Harissa is smoky and spicy with a red heat that builds. The addition of rose imparts a floral aroma and adds extra depth of flavour.

For spicy rose harissa, you can use either fresh or dried red chillies. In the UK, packets will often have a rating indicating whether the chilli is mild or hot. For a milder harissa, you can use a mix of chillies and peppers or use pepper alone.

Simply add a few drops of rosewater and mix thoroughly.

You simply need a food processor to grind all the ingredients down to a paste

Other Dip/Sauces Recipes

Raw Mango and Chilli Chutney

Schezwan Sauce

Sundried Tomato Pasta Sauce

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Easy Bread Sauce

Chilli Sulatana Sauce

Chestnut Hummus

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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Easy Rose Harissa Paste Recipe

Equipment

• 1 Blender

Ingredients

• 225 grams chillies red fresh or dried (I have used dried)
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• salt to taste
• ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5-6 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

• Place the chillies in a blender or food processor. 225 grams chillies
• Process until coarsely ground.
• Add the remaining ingredients except the olive oil and process until almost smooth. 1 tablespoon rose water, 1 tablespoon dried rose petals, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, salt to taste, 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 2 cloves garlic
• Store the sauce in a small jar and top with a thin layer of olive oil. 5-6 tablespoon olive oil
• Refrigerate until required

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Note – This recipe has been updated from our recipe archives with new images and content, but the recipe remains the same. First time published in February 25th, 2012.

Easy Rose Harissa Paste Recipe

Equipment

• 1 Blender

Ingredients

• 225 grams chillies red fresh or dried (I have used dried)
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• salt to taste
• ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5-6 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

• Place the chillies in a blender or food processor. 225 grams chillies
• Process until coarsely ground.
• Add the remaining ingredients except the olive oil and process until almost smooth. 1 tablespoon rose water, 1 tablespoon dried rose petals, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, salt to taste, 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 2 cloves garlic
• Store the sauce in a small jar and top with a thin layer of olive oil. 5-6 tablespoon olive oil
• Refrigerate until required

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

These Air Fryer Doughnut Holes are a tasty treat for the whole family. This delicious recipe only requires 4 simple ingredients for a super easy dessert and can be prepared within 15 minutes! Hands down the easiest way to satisfy your doughnut cravings!

Air Fryer Donut Bites are perfect any day of the week and can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack or dessert.

Compared to traditional donuts which require deep frying, this air fryer donut recipe is a bit healthier and uses less oil. It is also yeast-free.

Homemade donuts are a delicious treat and can be prepared for children’s parties or served during festive occasions such as Thanksgiving or Christmas!

What are doughnut holes?

Doughnut holes, or donut holes are small bite sized doughnuts prepared from the dough that remains from the centre of ring doughnuts. In America, these are now sold as a sperate item on the menu of donut shop such as Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts.

They are smaller than full-sized donuts are they are made from the leftovers created when preparing ring doughnuts. They are most often dipped into sugar or topped with a glaze.

Air fryer Biscuit Donuts

In the UK, we cannot find pre-made biscuit dough (in fact, biscuits are something totally different here compared with America!).

If you are able to find refrigerated doughs like biscuit dough, then you can simply buy that, cut into small donut holes and use for this recipe.

The closest equivalent in the UK is to buy packaged scone mix and go from there. Both methods yield perfect air fryer doughnuts and significantly reduces the prep time because you do not have to.

One of my favourite scone recipes that can be made using the scone mix or prepared from scratch are these Eggless Lavender Scones and Air Fryer Pumpkin Scones

Why you should make this recipe:

• Homemade treat perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

• Donut holes without eggs

• Simple recipe – no specialist ingredients, in fact, these air fryer donut holes are made without yeast.

• Minimal effort – if you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe, this is definitely one of them!

• Family favorite – everyone can enjoy fluffy doughnut bites! You can even lay out a few different sweet dips for individual tastes

If you want to try other doughnut recipes, why not have a go at Air fryer Apple Doughnut Rings or Eggless Mandazi

Ingredients:

(UK or those unable to get hold of biscuit dough)

• Scone mix – a basic mix that is easy to find in the baking aisle of most supermarkets

• Milk – the milk is for the scone mix. I have used semi skimmed milk

• Butter – you want melted butter which makes it easier to coat the donut pieces with as they are not deep-fried donuts

• Sugar – you can use either granulated or powdered sugar

(US based)

• Biscuit dough

• Butter

• Sugar

Optional flavours:

• Cinnamon sugar coating – combine ground cinnamon and sugar.

• Chocolate glaze made with cocoa powder, icing sugar and milk.

• Melted white chocolate or milk chocolate. Simply melt chocolate and drizzle over the doughnuts

• Brown sugar – use brown sugar instead of white.

• Pumpkin spice – add pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon to your sugar

Vegan Air Fryer Donuts

Scone mix is vegan. You will need to use plant based milk and vegan butter.

Method:

For this recipe, I have used the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer. The air fryer uses circulating hot air to cook the donuts.

In a large bowl, follow the scone mix instructions to make the dough. You can do this by hand or use a stand mixer. Do not over mix or knead the dough as we do not want it to be tough.

Roughly pat down the dough onto a lightly floured surface until the dough is around 1-2 inch thickness

Using a small cookie cutter, cut the dough into doughnut rounds to make simple donut holes.

You can also roll the dough into small equal sized balls.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use parchment paper.

Arrange the donuts in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Ensure the bites are not touching each other.

Air Fry for 8 minutes on 190 C or 375 degrees F. At 5 minutes, I would open the basket and see how the doughnuts are doing. Give the air fryer basket a little shake

The cooking time will adjust based on the size of your doughnut holes and your air fryer

Whilst the doughnuts are in the air fryer, you can prepare the topping.

In a medium bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Ensure your butter is melted and keep in a separate small bowl.

Once the dough balls are done, dip them immediately in the melted butter. This helps the sugar to stick to the cooked donut holes.

Allow the excess to drain off and dunk into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Remove and place on a baking sheet or wire rack.

Serving Suggestions

These doughnuts are perfect as they are! I like mine with a cup of tea or coffee.

You can dip these into a caramel or chocolate sauce for extra sweetness.

Storage

These doughnuts are best eaten immediately after cooking but can be stored away for later.

They are best kept at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days. They will harden a little as they are not deep fried but you can warm them slightly in a microwave before eating.

You can freeze the doughnut bites for later, simply place in a freezer safe bag. Reheat in the air fryer until thawed in the centre.

For sticky and wet dough, simply add plain flour a little at a time until it is no longer sticky to touch

This may be because they were not cooked for long enough or the temperature was too high so they only cooked from the outside. You can place them back in the air fryer, lower the heat and cook further.

These doughnut holes are best eaten fresh but there are some tips to prep ahead of time. You can shape the doughnut holes and keep in the fridge until ready to air fry

Yes, you can.

Donut holes can be made using pancake mix too or make your own dough using plain flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Chestnuts

Indian Potatoes in Air Fryer

Salt and Pepper Halloumi Fries

Air Fryer Sheet Pan Focaccia Pizza

Avocado Fries

Air Fryer Baklava

Frozen Samosas in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

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Air Fryer Donut Holes

Equipment

• 1 Air fryer
• 1 Mixing bowl
• 1 Spatula
• 1 Cookie-cutter

Ingredients

• 320 gram scone mix or 1 tube Pillsbury Grands Flaky Biscuits
• 150 ml milk (if using scone mix)
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoon sugar granulated
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon ground

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl add scone mix. 320 gram scone mix
• Graduallly add milk and knead the mixture very lightly to form a soft, smooth dough. 150 ml milk
• Roughly pat down the dough onto a lightly floured surface until the dough is around 1-2 inch thickness.
• Using a small cookie cutter, cut the dough into doughnut rounds to make simple donut holes.
• You can also roll the dough into small equal sized balls.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use parchment paper.
• Arrange the donuts in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Ensure the bites are not touching each other.
• Air Fry for 8 minutes on 190 C or 375 degrees F. At 5 minutes, I would open the basket and see how the doughnuts are doing. Give the air fryer basket a little shake.
• The cooking time will adjust based on the size of your doughnut holes and your air fryer.
• Whilst the doughnuts are in the air fryer, you can prepare the topping.
• In a medium bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Ensure your butter is melted and keep in a separate small bowl. 4 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• Once the dough balls are done, dip them immediately in the melted butter. This helps the sugar to stick to the cooked donut holes. 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Allow the excess to drain off and dunk into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Remove and place on a baking sheet or wire rack.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.