Step 1

Before you make this recipe, please read the notes first.

Step 2

First, in a small bowl, add contents of yeast packet, 1 & 3/4 cups of the warm water (110F or should be very warm to your wrist) and sugar. Stir it and let it sit about 5 min. It should start foaming and become active.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a stand mixer mixing bowl with dough hook, add flour, fennel seeds, olive oil, and salt. (If you don't have a stand mixer, add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.)

Step 4

Next, when the yeast mixture has started foaming at 5 minute mark, add it to the flour mixture and stir together until a large dough ball forms. You may need to add the extra 1/4 cup of water but, add a little at a time until dough is smooth as you may not need all of the 1/4 cup.) If you don't have the stand mixer, after you form the dough ball, you'll have to knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth.

Step 5

Then, put the dough ball into a large oil sprayed bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and a clean dish towel and let sit in a warm place to rise. I put mine in the oven at 100F or bread proof setting. If you're house is too cold, it may not rise or not rise enough. Let the dough rise 1-2 hours.

Step 6

Next, pull the dough out of the bowl and split it into about 8 equal parts. Start with one part and cover what you're not yet using.

Step 7

Then, pinch off a 2 inch piece of dough. With your fingers, start rolling out the dough into THIN 1/4 inch in diameter pieces if possible. The thinner you can get it the crunchier it'll be. Form them into circles and pinch the ends to close. Once you fill two trays of baking sheets you can start the next step.

Step 8

Next, preheat oven to 400F.

Step 9

Then, line cookies sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 10

Next, bring a big pot of water to a boil. Drop 4-6 taralli dough rings into the boiling water. They'll fall to the bottom but, will QUICKLY (about 10 seconds) come to the top which, is when you should remove them with a slotted spoon and put them on a parchment lined (or use silicone mats) cookie sheet spaced about one inch away from each other. Make two trays before baking them.

Step 11

Then, put the boiled taralli in the oven and bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are browned and crispy.

Step 12

Repeat steps 5-9 until all of the taralli dough is made.