Fluffy Fried Donuts Recipe

by

⭐ Ingredients

For the Dough

3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour

¼ cup (50 g) sugar

2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast

¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk (not hot!)

¼ cup (60 g) softened butter

2 large eggs

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

For Frying

Vegetable oil (sunflower or canola) — enough for deep frying

Oil temperature: 165–175°C (330–350°F)

Optional Fillings

Nutella

Custard / pastry cream

Strawberry jam

Vanilla cream

🍩 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast
  2. Warm the milk so it is warm, not hot (about 40–42°C).
  3. Add sugar and yeast.
  4. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

If the yeast does NOT foam, throw it away — the dough won’t rise.

  1. Make the Dough
  2. In a bowl, add:

Flour

Salt

  1. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla.
  2. Mix with a spoon or mixer.
  3. Add the softened butter and continue kneading.

Kneading time:

By hand: 10–12 minutes

Mixer: 6–8 minutes

The dough should be: ✔ soft
✔ smooth
✔ slightly sticky
✔ elastic

  1. First Rise (Proofing)
  2. Place the dough in a bowl.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel.
  4. Let rise 1 hour in a warm place until doubled.
  1. Roll and Shape
  2. Place dough on a lightly floured surface.
  3. Roll to about 2 cm thickness (important for fluffiness!).
  4. Use a round cutter or cup to cut circles.
  5. Place the dough circles on parchment paper.

Tip for the white ring:
Let the donuts rise on parchment paper — do NOT move them too much.

  1. Second Rise

Let the donuts rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.

This second rise is what gives them the beautiful shape.

  1. Frying (Most Important Step)
  2. Heat oil to 165–175°C (330–350°F).
    Too hot = dark donuts.
    Too cold = greasy donuts.
  3. Carefully place donuts in the oil.
    They should float — this gives the white ring!
  4. Fry:

40–60 seconds on one side

Flip

40–60 seconds on the other side

  1. Remove and place on paper towels.

They should be: ✔ Puffy
✔ Golden brown
✔ With a clean white line in the center (just like your photo)

  1. Fill or Glaze (Optional)

To fill

Use a piping bag and fill with:

Nutella

Custard

Jam

Whipped cream

To coat

Roll in:

Powdered sugar

Cinnamon sugar

Vanilla sugar

Or leave plain — they are delicious even without filling!

🍩 Tips for Perfect Donuts

⭐ The secret to the white ring

Donuts must rise well before frying.

Oil temperature must be correct.

Donuts must float while frying.

⭐ Avoid flattening the dough

If you handle the dough too much, it loses air and becomes dense.

⭐ Use fresh yeast

Old yeast → flat donuts.

⭐ Don’t roll dough too thin

Thicker dough = fluffier donuts.

🍩 Storage

Best eaten fresh within 4–6 hours.

Store in an airtight box for 1–2 days.

Can be frozen (unfilled) up to 1 month.

Leave a Comment