Basic Fried Donuts
This recipe for basic fried donuts yields soft and fluffy donuts that can be glazed, dipped or eaten plain. If you want baked versions, try my Easy Baked Donuts with Simple Glazes and Choco Butternut Donuts. Love basic recipes like these? Check outBasic Sweet Buns. If you’d rather try a simple fried dough that is equally good, try my churros!
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!
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. If you want elaborate versions, we also have Boston Cream Donuts and Tiramisu Donuts.
Let’s begin!
Basic Fried Donuts
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.
Add the remaining sugar, milk, butter, egg and salt.
Start to add the flour gradually while stirring, adding only enough just until the dough gathers in the center of the bowl.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glazes/Icings for Donuts
- Instead of rolling these in sugar, you can glaze them. For a simple vanilla and/or chocolate glaze, try these recipes from my Baked Donuts with Simple Glazes.
- You can also glaze or dip these with Salted Caramel Sauce.
Deep-Frying Donuts Tips
- Appropriate temperature is important for recipe success. The optimal frying temperature is 350 -375 F. A thermometer (affiliate) comes in handy here so you can monitor the oil temperature.
- Soggy Donuts? Your oil temperature is too low. The oil gets absorbed within faster then the exterior cooks.
- Raw, dense inside? Your oil is too hot. The exterior of the donuts may have browned too quickly while the inside remains raw.
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!
More Delicious Goodies:
- Baked Chicken Empanada
- Puto Pao
- Cheese Loaf Bread
- Chocolate Cake Roll with Chocolate Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Ombre Pound Cake
- Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls
- Milk Bread
- Yeast Donuts with White Chocolate Glaze
Basic Fried Donuts
This recipe for Basic Fried Donuts yields fluffy and soft fried donuts that can be glazed, dipped or eaten plain, rolled in sugar.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup warm water (105- 115 F)
- 2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 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
- 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.
- Add the remaining sugar, milk, butter, egg and salt.
- Start to add the flour gradually while stirring, adding only enough just until the dough gathers in the center of the bowl.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
Hi! I have a ton of donut recipes but haven’t liked any of them. I despise cake donuts and have been searching forever. Are these cakey? If they are it’s ok, I will definitely try them for my picky husband who loves the cake donuts.
Hi Tammy! These ones are a bit airy and fluffy. But also, since it is leavened with yeast, it has that bread-like structure to it. If you decide to try it, let me know what you think. Thanks!
What can you fill these wirh
You can use custard or chocolate cream.
Tried this recipe for the first time. It was really good. Everyone enjoyed it. I’d just probably add a little more sugar, but maybe it’s because I’m a sweet tooth
Thanks, Mary! Yes, you can add a bit of sugar 🙂
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.
so good
Hi Sanna, just to let u know, I made this but change the milk to buttermilk and I made donut holes instead. It’s a hit in my family and among my neighbors! Tqsm Sanna!
Hey, Sol! Thanks for the tip! I am so glad you liked this!
Hi can I bake them using this recipe, how long would I bake them for and at what temperature would I bake them for at
You can bake them at 350 F for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden 🙂
I think I forgot to add the salt but I used salted butter do you think they’ll still taste ok?
It should be fine, Becky!
HOW CAN I GET THIS AWESOME DOUGHNUT CUTTER.
Hi Josie! I got it from a website which name I forgot! So sorry!
They puffed up beautifully and were deeeelish.
Can you use the same recipe to bake these instead of frying? I have a large batch of dough leftover for tomorrow and everyone wants some more. Just wondering if I could make it just a bit less cholesterol logged
Yes, you can bake them too! I am so happy you love them 🙂
Hi there can I syrup and cover it with coconut
Yes, you can 🙂
I love this recipe so much! My husband said, it tastes better than dunkin donuts! Thank you for sharing
Thanks, Lyra! So happy to know that.
Hi !! Love recipe ; after I molded them can I refrigerate for tomorrow frying? And how long should I keep them out before frying ?
Hi there! Yes you can refigerate them after molding. Just leave them out for about 30-40 minutes at room temperature just to warm them up and allow a bit of rising. Then you can fry 🙂
Can you freeze the dough and make the doughnuts later?
Hi Hannah, yes you can 🙂
Hello,
Can I use butter and almond milk instead of butter and milk?
Since my son is allergic to milk?
Thank you!!
Malky Erblich
Hi there! You can use almknd milk and butter
Hi! I am wondering if you can substitute instant yeast for active yeast and if so what are the recommendations?
Hi Nancy! Yes, you can use instant yeast.Just follow the recipe as is and sub the active dry yeast with instant yeast.