Balushahi is an Indian sweet that is a flaky, glazed, doughnut-like pastry made from refined flour and ghee.
The dough is usually enriched with ghee and leavening, shaped into thick rounds, and fried slowly. After frying, the pastries are soaked or coated in sugar syrup, producing a glossy surface and a rich sweetness.
Balushahi is associated with several parts of North India and is commonly prepared for festivals, celebrations, and special meals. Its layered, slightly crisp texture distinguishes it from softer syrup sweets.
Although balushahi is often compared with a doughnut because of its shape and frying method, it is not the same as a Western ring doughnut. It generally has a central depression rather than a fully open hole, and its texture is deliberately flaky.