Homemade Cannoli

Classic Italian cannoli made with crisp, golden shells and a smooth ricotta filling with chocolate chips. This easy homemade recipe includes tips for deep frying or air frying, shaping, and storing. Perfect for holidays, desserts, or special occasions.

Crispy golden shells filled with creamy, sweet ricotta and mini chocolate chips—this traditional Italian dessert is a timeless favorite. Whether deep-fried or air-fried, these cannoli are the perfect finish to any meal.

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Ingredients

For the Cannoli Shells

• 1 ¾ cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) white sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons (43 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) Marsala wine
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Cannoli Filling

• 900 g ricotta cheese, well strained overnight
• 1 ½ cups (195 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (170 g) mini chocolate chips

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Instructions

Prepare the Ricotta

1. Strain the ricotta cheese in a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined bowl and refrigerate overnight to remove excess moisture.

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Make the Cannoli Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a pastry cutter, food processor, or your hands.
3. Add the egg and Marsala wine. Mix until a rough dough forms. If needed, add a small splash of Marsala to bring it together.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
5. Shape into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.

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Roll and Shape the Dough

1. Roll out the dough as thinly as possible—ideally until you can see your fingers through it. A pasta roller works well for this step.
2. Cut into circles large enough to wrap around your cannoli tubes.
3. Wrap each circle around a metal cannoli tube and seal the edge with egg wash. Press firmly to prevent unrolling.

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To Deep Fry

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to 350°F (180°C), at least 4 inches deep.
2. Carefully lower 2–3 cannoli into the oil. Fry for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and bubbly.
3. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel–lined rack. Leave on tubes until cool enough to remove. Repeat with remaining dough.

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To Air Fry

1. Lightly oil your air fryer basket and preheat to 400°F (205°C).
2. Place shaped cannoli in the basket without overlapping.
3. Air fry for 4–5 minutes until golden brown. No need to flip.
4. Let cool slightly, then gently remove from the tubes.

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Make the Cannoli Filling

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the strained ricotta, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
3. Transfer the filling to a piping bag and fill cooled shells just before serving.
4. For extra texture, dip the ends in more chocolate chips.

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Tips

• Ricotta Prep: Drain ricotta overnight to avoid runny filling.
• Shell Rolling: Roll dough thin—thickness affects the crispiness and bubble formation.
• Frying Tip: Hold shells under oil briefly with tongs to fry evenly if they float sideways.
• Storage: Keep shells and filling separate until just before serving to maintain crispness.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Wine Substitute: Replace Marsala with dry white wine or sherry.
• Flavor Twist: Add orange zest or a splash of almond extract to the filling.
• Nutty Finish: Dip ends in crushed pistachios instead of chocolate chips.
• Ricotta Alternative: For a denser filling, use mascarpone in place of ricotta.

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FAQs

Can I make the shells ahead of time?
Yes. Store unfilled shells in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

How do I prevent soggy cannoli?
Always fill them just before serving. Moisture from the filling will soften the shells over time.

Can I freeze cannoli?
Freeze the unfilled shells in a sealed container. Do not freeze filled cannoli as the filling can become grainy.

Do I need cannoli tubes?
Yes, for shaping. You can DIY using rolled-up aluminum foil or oven-safe metal tubes.

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Serving Suggestions

• Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
• Pair with espresso or Italian liqueur.
• Serve on a platter with fruit or chocolate-dipped biscotti for an elegant dessert spread.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic texture and flavor with crisp shells and rich, creamy filling.
• Flexible cooking method: deep-fry or air-fry.
• Great make-ahead option for parties and holidays.
• Easy to customize with your favorite flavors and toppings.