Easy, from-scratch, no yeast donut holes! These homemade donuts can be mixed up and fried in minutes! A great guide for making donuts on your own at home!
I spent six years of my life shackled to a deep fry station.
I exaggerate a bit, I wasn’t exactly shackled (only by the need for a paycheck to keep my college from slamming its door in my face each semester), and it was more often the drive-thru window or the sandwich station that I found myself stuck overseeing, but in the six years that I worked for a particular red-hatted fast food company, I experienced a lot of deep frying and bathed my fair share of curly fries and chicken tenders in sizzling wells of golden-brown (more often brown-brown) oil.
And, every evening when I would punch out to go home, my clothes, hair, and skin would be saturated with the distinct scent of all things deep fried.
So I think that might be why it’s taken me so long to share anything on my site that’s been fried, despite the fact that deep fried desserts are truly some next-level stuff… 6 years of scrubbing oil out of your (already acne-prone) pores will do that to you (and if I never see another curly fry in my life, that’s just fine by me).
But today, I’m finally breaking my no-fry streak with these incredibly easy, bite-sized, no yeast homemade donut holes, made with my versatile no yeast cinnamon roll dough and fried until golden-perfection.
Deep frying can be a little messy, but it’s quick, and the results are well-worth any cleanup. These donut holes need to only fry for about 3 and a half minutes (do them in batches of about 4-5 at a time), then roll them in cinnamon/sugar (or powdered sugar — makes them taste like funnel cake or fried dough) and you’re done. Coupled with the fact that the dough is also very simple to make and comes together easily, you can easily have home-fried donuts ready for eating in under 30 minutes.
I’m not sure there’s anything quite as beautiful as watching homemade donuts floating in golden oil until they’re cooked to perfection <3
Except maybe eating said hot homemade donuts.
To be honest, I have quite a few homemade donut hole recipes coming up (ones with surprises tucked inside), but I wanted to share this basic recipe first, as it’s going to be the foundation for the future ones.
Stay tuned, and Happy Friday!
Donut Holes (Fried, No Yeast)
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 5 Tbsp butter cold
- 3/4 cups milk
For rolling
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix.
- Using a pastry cutter cut butter into your flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add milk and mix until all ingredients are combined.
- Transfer dough onto a well-floured surface, and knead gently until it forms a cohesive ball. If dough is too sticky to manage, continue to work in flour until it is smooth and manageable (I've found on hot days or if my butter isn't cold enough the dough can be quite sticky)
- Break off approximately 1 1/2 Tbsp-sized pieces of dough and roll into smooth, tight balls. Set aside.
- Fill a medium-sized saucepan 2-inches deep with your oil over medium-high heat. Use a candy thermometer (make sure it isn't touching the bottom of the pot) to monitor your temperature.
- Heat oil to 350F (you will have to monitor the heat pretty regularly and may need to increase/decrease your stove temperature to keep it consistent).
- While your oil is heating, prepare your cinnamon/sugar mix by stirring together cinnamon and sugar in a small dish. Set aside.
- Prepare two plates for your cooked donut holes by lining them generously with paper towels.
- Once oil has reached 350F, very carefully fry your donut holes, about 4 at a time, carefully transferring them to the oil with a slotted spoon (don't drop them in or the oil may splash, lower them into the oil instead).
- Fry donut holes for approximately 3.5 minutes*, remove carefully with a slotted spoon, and place them on a paper towel laden plate. Allow them to sit for about 30 seconds and then use another spoon to transfer them to your cinnamon/sugar dish, roll them in the topping until fully covered, and then transfer to your other paper towel lined plate.
- Repeat until all donut holes are cooked and have been rolled in cinnamon sugar.
- These donuts are best enjoyed warm/hot, and do not carry over well to the next day.
Notes
While these should take about 3.5 minutes under optimal conditions with a consistent oil temperature of 350F, it's still important to check so that you don't end up with 1 1/2 dozen donuts that are still gooey in the middle!
Nutrition
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Olga says
So delicious. They remind me of churros. I had to improvise a little. I used ghee instead of butter, and water instead of milk. They turned out so good! My version was egg, dairy, and yeast free. Thank-you for such a great recipe!
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed the donut holes, Olga! 🙂
Dex says
Can I use evaporated milk instead of regular milk?
Sam says
Hi Dex! I haven’t tried it so I am not sure how it would turn out.
Netta says
Hi! Can I fry these in sunflower oil?
Sam says
I think that will work just fine. 🙂
karen Tubb says
I need them for a shower on a Saturday how far in advance can I make them?
Sam says
Hi Karen! Unfortunately, these are really best enjoyed fresh.
Ashmap says
First time and they are perfect so soft and moist my 18 months old is enjoying it thanks for sharing your recipe
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed them! 🙂
Alexis says
Hey there! Tried these this morning and for some reason they just would not cook through to the center. I’m wondering if this is because I used whole wheat instead of white flour? Help!
Sam says
Hi Alexis! Was your oil at the right temperature? If so, it may just need a minute or two longer. 🙂
Jordan says
I tried these today and cannot figure out how to keep my oil at a constant temp for frying…any suggestions?!
When I was able to get it to 350, they cooked through w a nice texture inside but the outside seemed a bit crispy. Any frying tips in general?
Sam says
Hi Jordan! The temperature will fluctuate when frying as you add cold batter to the warm oil. You want to aim for an average of 350. You may need a bigger pot or try to make less donut holes each batch. I don’t really have any tips other than playing with the heat on the stove to try and keep your temperature consistent. I hope that helps. 🙂
Cc says
These are spectacular! 2nd snow day for us & the kids (6 & 12) loved making them with me! The kids 15 & 14 loved eating them!!! Outstanding, easy recipe h we dusted them 4 different ways. We made a tiny donut & it was perfect too. Also my grandma used to put a pinch of nutmeg in her batter….we might try that next time! Thank you Soooooo much!!!!
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed them! What a great way to spend time with the kids! 🙂
Cc says
My favorite thing to do! Great for math skills as well. 😉 I tried a banana donut recipe today….more like fritter or fish batter. :O Any suggestions on adding banana to your recipe? Thanks a bunch! Or a dozen lol
Sam says
Adding banana would be difficult because it will alter the moisture content and also change the texture.
Griselda says
Hello! I was wondering if I’m able to use heavy whipping cream instead of milk? It’s all I have at hand! Thanks!
Sam says
I haven’t tried it so I don’t know how it would turn out. If you do try it, I’d love to know the results. 🙂
Loraine says
Hey! I’m trying these babies out later during the day, but may I ask if you’ve tried making these in chocolate batter? I’d absolutely love you to bits if you could send a chocolate version! Much love!
Sam says
Hi, Loraine! I don’t have a chocolate version, unfortunately. To accomplish this, you would need to cut some of the flour and add cocoa powder, but not having tried it myself I can’t tell you the amounts for that. Sorry 🙁
Nicole says
These were delicious today! Mine didn’t look nearly as pretty as the pictures, haha! They were like fair donuts! Delicious!!!!! Thank you!
Sam says
I’m so clad you enjoyed! Thanks for commenting, Nicole! 🙂
kylalalall says
Csan i make this with an air fryer?
Sam says
I haven’t tried it so I don’t know for sure. 🙁
Greg Verissimo says
Just made ~20. Easy to make, turned out perfectly, and absolutely delicious!!
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed them, Greg!
Nicole says
My 3 kids and I made a triple batch this morning (our 4th inclement weather day in a row)!
These are fantastic! Not overly sugary like store bought doughnuts. We made them oversized, they cooked to perfection. We rolled some in cinnamon sugar, some in powdered sugar, cinnamon and powdered sugar mixture, as well as dipping some in chocolate frosting. Amazing! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Sam says
4 days off in a row! Lucky kids! I am so glad everyone enjoyed them. 🙂
Donuts in the making says
Hi. Can I make donuts instead of donut holes with this recipe?
Sam says
I haven’t tried it that way, but I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work. 🙂
Hallie says
It does work I have used this recipe and you can make both doughnuts and the doughnut holes and they are delicious!!!