Slovak Bobalki

Name: Slovak Bobalki (Poppy Seed Bread Balls)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 36 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon sugar (used with yeast); 2 teaspoons salt; 5 tablespoons canola oil (if not fasting) or 5 tablespoons butter (if not fasting); 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast; 6 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup poppy seed; 1/2 cup honey

Jump to ingredients

Slovak Bobalki are soft, yeast-risen bread balls finished with ground poppy seeds and warm honey, a symbolic meatless dish from the traditional twelve-course Christmas Eve Holy Supper.

🏷️Russian 🏷️Polish 🏷️Czech 🏷️European 🏷️Low cholesterol 🏷️Healthy

Total

35 min

Servings

36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Food.com · by Lulu - Southern Cze

Ingredients

Check what you already have. We'll leave it off your shopping list.

2 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon sugar (used with yeast)
2 teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons canola oil (if not fasting) or 5 tablespoons butter (if not fasting)
2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup poppy seed
1/2 cup honey

9 Ingredients

CookOS may earn a commission from Instacart orders.

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a medium saucepan, bring to boil 2 cups water, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and oil. Cool to lukewarm. Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 cup warm water.
2
Place flour in large bowl. Add lukewarm water-sugar mixture and yeast mixture. Combine thoroughly and knead until smooth (10 minute by hand or 7 minute in mixer). Cover and let rise until doubled.
3
Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2- to 1-inch thick and cut into pieces and roll by hand into 1 inch balls.
4
Place on a parchment-lined or floured cookie sheet with dough ball sides touching. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Let rise, covered with oiled plastic wrap until nearly doubled. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
5
Meanwhile, grind poppyseeds in a mortar and pestle with a little water or milk and set aside. When Bobalki are cool, break dough balls apart, and place in colander. Pour just enough boiling water over Bobalki to soften but not turn them into mush. Drain well. Pour warm honey and ground poppyseeds over all. Stir lightly and serve immediately.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cool the boiled water-sugar mixture to lukewarm before adding yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
Let dough rise until nearly doubled before baking to ensure light, airy bread balls; 375°F for 15–20 minutes until lightly browned is the key window.
Pour just enough boiling water over cooled balls to soften without dissolving them; drain very well before adding honey and poppy seeds to prevent sogginess.
Grind poppy seeds with a small amount of water or milk to release flavor and create a paste that clings to the bread.

Substitutions

all-purpose flour → bread flour (slightly chewier texture, may need minor water adjustment)
active dry yeast → instant yeast (reduce amount by 25% or use same amount with 1 minute shorter rise)
honey → maple syrup or agave nectar (similar sweetness and moisture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled, unbaked bread balls in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Complete the boiling, draining, and honey-poppy seed topping just before serving for best texture.

Equipment

stand mixer (optional; recipe notes 7 minutes in mixer vs. 10 minutes by hand) · mortar and pestle (or spice grinder)

Common Questions

Why do the bread balls need to be boiled in water before serving?

Boiling softens the baked bread balls without turning them mushy, preparing them to absorb the honey and poppy seed topping. This is the signature finishing step.

Can I use butter instead of canola oil?

Yes; the recipe notes that butter is appropriate if not fasting (for non-fasting versions). Both work equally well for the dough.

How do I grind poppy seeds without a mortar and pestle?

A spice grinder, coffee grinder, or blender works. Add a small amount of water or milk as the recipe specifies to help break down the seeds.

Can Bobalki be made ahead?

Yes; bake and cool the bread balls fully up to 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container. Boil, drain, and top with honey and poppy seeds just before serving.