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Basic Fried Donuts

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This recipe for basic fried donuts yields soft and fluffy donuts that can be glazed, dipped or eaten plain. 

Three donuts stacked on small plate.

Hi Guys! All I can say right now is thanks goodness for pre-drafted posts! If you are a little confused, I posted my current life situation on Instagram. Pregnancy, you guys. It drains everything out of me. So while it is such a great thing and a very big blessing to be pregnant, it is not my favorite time. 

It makes me truly sick and it seems it wants me to move to the toilet as my new bedroom. But then I am keeping my eyes fixed on the price-a new baby! 

Donuts rolled in sugar on a serving plate.

And since I can’t really bake or cook right now, I am glad that I had a few things made up before I left for the Philippines, where I learned I am expecting. 

So here is one of them- Basic fried donuts. You will love this as your base recipe for all other kinds of glazes and toppings. Let’s begin!

Basic Fried Donuts

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp of the sugar. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes, until the mixture is frothy.
  2. Add the remaining sugar, milk, butter, egg and salt.Proofing the yeast for basic fried donuts recipe.
  3. Start to add the flour gradually while stirring, adding only enough just until the dough gathers in the center of the bowl. Mixing the dough for the doughnuts.
  4. Turn the dough over onto a floured board and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. To knead, use your palms to push the dough down and away from you, then fold it inwards. Push out the dough again then fold. Repeat until the dough is adequately kneaded. The dough for donuts before and after kneading.
  5. Shape the kneaded dough into a ball. Place it in a bowl and cover with a clean towel. Let it rise for 1 and 1/2 hours until doubled in size. The risen donuts dough.
  6. After rising, divide the dough into 2 equal portions. On a floured board, roll out one portion until it is 1/4 inch thick. Use a donut cutter that is 3 inches in diameter to cut out as many donuts ( and holes) as you can from the dough. Place cut-out donuts, together with the holes on individual pre-cut parchment papers, and set them on a large tray or plate. Fold the scrap and re-roll, then cut out more donuts as possible. Repeat with the other half of the dough. The cut out donuts shapes.
  7. On a medium, heavy-bottomed pan, heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F. Carefully lower a few donuts at a time into the oil, peeling them off from the parchment paper before cooking. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden. Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray, or on paper towels.Freshly fried donuts on a baking pan.
  8. If you are glazing or dipping the donuts, allow them to cool first. If you wish to roll them in sugar and/or cinnamon, roll them while they are still hot but has cooled down a bit to be handled.

Now I am thinking how many donuts will be actually left for serving because you have been eating them all along….😜. I know, I understand. 

They are pretty hard to resist as soon you roll them out in sugar!

Top view of basic fried donuts on a plate.

More Delicious Goodies:
Three donuts stacked on small plate.

Basic Fried Donuts

Yield: 26-30
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours

This recipe for Basic Fried Donuts yields fluffy and soft fried donuts that can be glazed, dipped or eaten plain, rolled in sugar.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup warm water (105- 115 F)
  • 2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • canola oil, for frying the donuts
  • sugar, for rolling the fried donuts

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp of the sugar. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes, until the mixture is frothy.
  2. Add the remaining sugar, milk, butter, egg and salt.
  3. Start to add the flour gradually while stirring, adding only enough just until the dough gathers in the center of the bowl.
  4. Turn the dough over onto a floured board and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. To knead, use your palms to push the dough down and away from you, then fold it inwards. Push out the dough again then fold. Repeat until the dough is adequately kneaded. New to kneading? Check out How to How to Knead Bread Dough with Video.
  5. Shape the kneaded dough into a ball. Place it in a bowl and cover with a clean towel. Let it rise for 1 and 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
  6. After rising, divide the dough into 2 equal portions. On a floured board, roll out one portion until it is 1/4 inch thick. Use a donut cutter that is 3 inches in diameter to cut out as many donuts ( and holes) as you can from the dough. Place cut-out donuts, together with the holes on individual pre-cut parchment papers, and set them on a large tray or plate. Fold the scrap and re-roll, then cut out more donuts as possible. Repeat with the other half of the dough.
  7. On a medium, heavy-bottomed pan, heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F. Carefully lower a few donuts at a time into the oil, peeling them off from the parchment paper before cooking. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden. Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray, or on paper towels.
  8. If you are glazing or dipping the donuts, allow them to cool first. If you wish to roll them in sugar and/or cinnamon, roll them while they are still moderately hot.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1 piece (plain)
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 94Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g
© sanna
Cuisine: American / Category: baking diaries
This recipe for basic fried donuts yields soft and fluffy donuts that can be glazed, dipped or eaten plain. #doughnuts #frieddough #sweetbread

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Marie says

    Hi! I’m looking to make these donuts and they look amazing! Do you think I could substitute the milk or half of the milk in this recipe with apple cider to give it more of a fall flavor? If not, how else could I incorporate it? Thank you so much!!

    Reply

    • sanna says

      Hello, Marie! I honestly cannot guarantee the result if you were to sub apple cider for a part of the milk. Unfortunately, I have not tested that.

      Reply

  5. Khatera says

    Made this today with my 4 yo daughter and they turned out amazing. I really couldn’t stop eating them as I was getting f them out and I’m not a big fan of donuts. Can you store them in the fridge or freeze so they don’t dry out?

    Reply

    • sanna says

      Hello! I think think they will dry out in the fridge or freezer. These are so airy that they may dry out easily when refrigerated. I am so happy you loved them!

      Reply

    • sanna says

      Hi Robin! I always cook it right away. If you want, you can let the dough do its rising on the fridge overnight after kneading 🙂

      Reply

  13. Oluwatosin says

    The recipe is so perfect The doughnuts turned out really good. I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

  17. JoAnn C. says

    Congratulations! And prayers to you for a healthy baby and an easier pregnancy too. Thanks for sharing your news.

    Reply

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