These Soft & Fluffy Homemade Donuts are light, tender, and deliciously golden on the outside. Made with simple ingredients like bread flour, eggs, yeast, sugar, and butter, these donuts are perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or a homemade sweet treat.
The dough is easy to prepare, and the donuts are fried gently at a relatively low temperature for a beautifully cooked center and golden exterior.
Why You’ll Love These Donuts
- Soft and fluffy texture
- Simple homemade ingredients
- Rich buttery flavor
- Perfect for breakfast or snacks
- Delicious fresh and warm
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
Ingredients
- 250 g bread flour (strong flour)
- 35 g granulated sugar
- 3–4 g yeast
- 2 cold eggs
- Cold milk, enough with the eggs to make 150–160 g total
- 3 g salt
- 30 g butter, softened
- 800 ml–1 liter cooking oil, for frying
Yeast tip: If your room is warm, use about 3 g yeast. If the room is cooler, use closer to 4 g.
How to Make Homemade Donuts
1. Prepare the Dough
Add the bread flour, sugar, yeast, eggs, and cold milk to a large mixing bowl.
Remember that the combined weight of the eggs and milk should be approximately 150–160 g.
Mix until the ingredients come together and a rough dough forms.
Add the salt and continue mixing.
2. Add the Butter
Add the butter gradually and knead until it is completely incorporated into the dough.
Continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic.
A properly kneaded dough should stretch without tearing easily.
3. Let the Dough Rise
Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover and allow it to rest in a warm, draft-free place until it becomes noticeably larger and approximately doubles in size.
4. Shape the Donuts
Gently press the air out of the risen dough.
Transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and divide it into equal portions.
Shape each portion into a smooth ball, then create a hole in the center to form the classic donut shape.
Place the shaped donuts on parchment paper or a lightly floured tray.
Cover and let them rest again until they become light and puffy.
5. Heat the Oil
Pour the cooking oil into a small, deep frying pan.
Heat the oil over low to medium-low heat.
The oil should be hot enough to cook the donuts gradually without quickly burning the outside.
6. Fry the Donuts
Carefully place the proofed donuts into the hot oil.
Fry gently until the bottom becomes golden brown, then carefully turn them over.
Continue frying until both sides are evenly golden and the donuts are cooked through.
Avoid overcrowding the pan—fry in small batches if necessary.
7. Drain and Serve
Transfer the cooked donuts to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Topping Ideas
These homemade donuts are delicious plain, but you can also decorate them with:
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon sugar
- Chocolate glaze
- Vanilla glaze
- Strawberry glaze
- Caramel sauce
- Melted chocolate
- Sprinkles
Helpful Tips
- Use the combined weight of the cold eggs and milk rather than measuring the milk separately.
- Keep the dough soft rather than adding too much extra flour.
- Knead thoroughly until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Give the dough enough time to rise properly.
- Don’t make the frying oil excessively hot; gentle frying helps the donuts cook evenly.
- Fry only a few donuts at a time so the oil temperature stays more consistent.
- Let excess oil drain after frying.
About Reusing the Frying Oil
Because these donuts are fried at a relatively moderate temperature, the oil may be reusable if it remains clean and has not been overheated.
After frying, allow the oil to cool completely, strain out any crumbs, and store it properly. Discard the oil if it becomes dark, smells unpleasant, or begins to smoke during cooking.
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: About 30 minutes
Proofing Time: Varies
Frying Time: About 10–15 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours
Yield: Varies depending on donut size
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cooking Method: Deep Frying
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use cold eggs and milk?
Using cold ingredients slows down the fermentation process, which can be useful when working with a rich dough. It also gives you better control over the dough temperature during mixing and kneading.
How do I know when the donuts are ready to fry?
The shaped donuts should look noticeably puffy and feel light. If you gently press one, it should slowly spring back.
Why are my donuts dark outside but raw inside?
The frying oil is probably too hot. Lower the heat and allow the donuts to cook more gradually.
Can I bake these donuts instead?
Yes, although the texture will be different from traditionally fried donuts. Baking produces a lighter, bread-like result rather than the classic fried donut texture.