Easy Homemade Donut Holes. These are almost too easy. If you ever thought you couldn’t make homemade donuts, this recipe is for you! And because it’s National Donut Day I knew I needed to create one. I can’t always run out and find a donut store!
When it comes to desserts, donuts are one that I do love. Cookies, not so much. I know, I know. Many people love cookies, but me, not so much! But give me a donut and that’s something I can get behind. Many will debate which type donut is the best: cake donut vs a yeast donut. Cake donuts are simply made to rise by the baking powder whereas yeast donuts rise because of the yeast. I’ve not yet mastered a yeast donut recipe, so I give to you the easiest cake donut recipe around! Seriously, it’s that simple!
Ingredients: Donut Holes
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour that is unbleached. Bleached or unbleached will work. I didn’t ‘healthify’ these donuts with any whole-wheat flour. Whole-wheat flour can make the donuts too dense and not as tender. Donuts are donuts and I went with all-purpose flour.
- Sugar: It doesn’t use too much sugar in the actual recipe, but remember you’ll coat/roll them in sugar for a little extra tad of sweetness.
- Baking Powder: This is the key ingredient to help them ‘rise’ and puff a bit. Definitely want to make sure your baking powder is fresh: To find out, drop a teaspoon of the baking powder into cup of hot water. If the baking powder bubbles heavily, you’re good. If the baking powder doesn’t bubble, it’s time for some ‘new’ baking powder.
- Salt: Just standard table salt. No specialty salts needed.
- Milk or Buttermilk: I have used whole milk and buttermilk (and even used the teaspoon of lemon juice in whole milk to make ‘buttermilk’ method) and they have all turned out just fine.
- Butter: Yes, real butter. Again, we’re not healthifying the donuts. They’re donuts. Butter will give the donuts flavor and is a necessary ingredient.
- Vegetable Oil: You want a neutral oil when you fry the donuts that also has a high smoke point. I used canola oil.
How To Make: Donuts Holes
As with any baked product, you’re mixing together your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, & salt. And then separately you’re mixing together the liquid ingredients: milk or buttermilk and melted butter (that’s come to room temperature). Then you mix them all together until they’re just combined. You’re aiming to not overmix – that creates tough donuts and no one wants that!
As for the ‘flavor’ of these donut holes, I went with just a sugar coating. You can always make a glaze with powdered sugar, a dash of milk and vanilla to drizzle over the donuts. Get creative and add a bit of cocoa powder and then you’ve got a chocolate glaze. For me, next time I’m making them cinnamon sugar – a combination of 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. It will make a little more than you need, but this is the ‘best ratio’ to make the cinnamon sugar.
Alright, without further ado, Easy Donut Holes. Enjoy National Donut Day with a donut from your favorite donut store or make these. They’re just so simple.
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Donut Holes
Easy Homemade Donuts. Super simple. Super tasty.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- 3 – 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar – for coating
Instructions
- Mix together in a medium bowl the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk together separately the milk or buttermilk and melted butter.
- Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Using a fork, mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients just until combined (no over mixing or that will create tough donuts!)
- Roll dough into 1/2 tablespoon balls (I used a scoop to make them all even).
- Fry – I also used a ‘Fry Daddy’ – mine doesn’t have a way to change the temperature, it’s a set temperature. Fry the dough a few at a time – avoid overcrowding the pan where you’re frying.
- Fry until just golden brown on bottom, then flip and cook reverse side until golden brown.
- Remove carefully with a strainer or tongs. Let the donuts drain onto a paper towel.
- Pour ⅓ cup sugar into a dish. Roll the donuts in the sugar – just be careful because the donuts will be hot!
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
Notes
*I used just sugar to coat the donuts. Cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar or even a glaze (vanilla or chocolate) will be equally delicious!
*Definitely don’t try to fry all the donuts at once. Fry them in batches so the pan won’t be crowded – that lowers the temperature and can lead to uneven cooking.
*These are best eaten fresh. Although when trying out this recipe I did have a few that I ate days later and they still tasted okay. Just keep in mind, fresh is the best!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Desserts
1 thought on “Donut Holes”
Never thought to make my own homemade ones, but these look easy and delicious!