Best Homemade Fried Donuts: the easy and delicious homemade donut recipe

Many home cooks are put off by the idea of making their own donuts, simply because it’s such a hassle. With yeast donuts, there’s a lot of kneading and resting involved, and let’s be serious, no one wants to wait for hours when you have a donut craving! Luckily, these homemade fried donuts are easy to make, and they are delicious.

Yeasted donuts are made with instant yeast, and are light and airy. In this recipe, all the ingredients are mixed in one bowl, so less dirty dishes! The formed donuts are fried to perfection and sprinkled with sugar. They are soft, fluffy, and delicious… yum!

Can I Use an Air Fryer?

These Homemade Fried Donuts can also be made in the Airfryer.  Simply cover the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Cook the plates donuts at 350°F/180°C until browned and puffed up, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the basket and drain on paper.

Recipe Tips 

Make sure that the oil is not too hot. This will cause the donuts to burn before they are fully cooked through. The best temperature for donuts is 350-375°F (180-190°C), so it’s worth investing in a candy thermometer.

Instead of plain sugar, you can also create a sugar-cinnamon sprinkle. Simply combine ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon. To make sure the sugar sticks to the donuts, you can brush the donuts with melted butter.

If you don’t like sugar-sprinkled donuts, you can also make glazed donuts. To make a glaze, simply mix together ½ cup melted butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 4 cups powdered (fine) sugar, and just enough milk to thin the mixture out. Allow the donuts to cool slightly before you dip the donuts in the glaze.

While you can make these donuts in an Airfryer, they’re not suitable for baking in the oven.

How to store Fried Donuts

Store the plain donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Sprinkled or glazed donuts can be stored at room temperature for 1 day or 2.

How to Make the Best Homemade Fried Donuts

Step 1

Step 1

In a large bowl, add the milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, yeast, salt, egg, flour, and butter.

In a large bowl, add the milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, yeast, salt, egg, flour, and butter.

Step 2

Step 2

Use your hands to mix all ingredients and knead the dough.

Use your hands to mix all ingredients and knead the dough.

Step 3

Step 3

Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.

Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Step 4

Remove the dough from the ball, flatten slightly, and divide into 12 equal parts.

Remove the dough from the ball, flatten slightly, and divide into 12 equal parts.

Step 5

Step 5

Use your hands to create round balls of dough.

Use your hands to create round balls of dough.

Step 6

Step 6

Roll out the ball into a long, thin sausage shape. Fold the ends over each other.

Roll out the ball into a long, thin sausage shape. Fold the ends over each other.

Step 7

Step 7

Continue to fold to form a plaited donut.

Continue to fold to form a plaited donut.

Step 8

Step 8

Cover and allow to rest for about 30 minutes.

Cover and allow to rest for about 30 minutes.

Step 9

Step 9

Heat enough oil for shallow frying in a cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the donuts and fry until golden.

Heat enough oil for shallow frying in a cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the donuts and fry until golden.

Step 10

Step 10

Flip the donuts and fry the other side until golden and cooked through.

Flip the donuts and fry the other side until golden and cooked through.

Step 11

Step 11

Sprinkle with sugar.

Sprinkle with sugar.