A rosquilla is a ring-shaped Spanish fried pastry often coated with sugar.
Rosquillas are traditionally made from a dough that may contain flour, eggs, sugar, oil, and flavorings such as anise. The dough is shaped into rings and fried, producing a firm exterior and a tender interior. Some versions are glazed or covered with sugar after cooking.
The snack is especially associated with Madrid, where rosquillas are linked to the festival of San Isidro. Several varieties are traditionally recognized, including “tontas,” “listas,” “francesas,” and “de Santa Clara,” distinguished by their toppings or preparation.
Rosquillas are not the same as churros, which are usually extruded into ridged sticks or loops and served with chocolate. They also differ from doughnuts in their Spanish regional history and often include aniseed flavoring. Their ring shape reflects a broad European pastry tradition but the named varieties are particularly Spanish.