Make Doughnuts Without A Deep Fryer: Is It Possible?

There are several ways to make doughnuts without a deep fryer, including baking them in the oven, using a stovetop, or an air fryer. Baked doughnuts are a healthier option as they are lower in fat and calories since they don't absorb oil during the cooking process. They also tend to be lighter and fluffier, with a cake-like texture. To bake doughnuts, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C), prepare your dough, shape it into rings, and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Another option is to use the stovetop method, which involves frying the doughnuts in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet filled with vegetable oil heated to 350°F (176°C). Fry each doughnut for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Air fryers can also be used to make doughnuts, offering a healthier and convenient option. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176°C), prepare your dough, shape it into rings, and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

While these methods produce delicious results, they will have a slightly different texture from traditional deep-fried doughnuts due to the difference in heat transfer and cooking time.

Stovetop frying

Step 1: Choose a Suitable Pot or Pan

Select a heavy-bottomed pot or a deep skillet for frying your doughnuts. A heavy-bottomed pot will ensure even heat distribution and help maintain a consistent temperature while frying.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

Fill the pot or skillet with vegetable oil to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Using a thermometer to monitor the temperature is recommended. Aim for an oil temperature of around 350°F (176°C).

Step 3: Prepare the Doughnut Dough

While the oil is heating up, it's time to prepare your doughnut dough. You can follow your favourite doughnut recipe or try something new! Get creative with flavours and ingredients, but make sure your dough is ready to go before the oil reaches the desired temperature.

Step 4: Fry the Doughnuts

Once the oil reaches the ideal temperature, it's time to carefully slide the doughnuts into the pot. Use a slotted spoon or tongs for this step. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as it will affect the cooking process. Fry each doughnut for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden brown colour.

Step 5: Drain Excess Oil

After frying, place the cooked doughnuts on a paper towel-lined plate or rack to absorb any excess oil. This step will help ensure that your doughnuts are not overly greasy.

Tips for Stovetop Frying:

• Use a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
• Maintain a consistent oil temperature by adjusting the heat on your stove. The ideal range is between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C).
• Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure even cooking and proper temperature control.
• Monitor the colour of your doughnuts and adjust the frying time as needed.

Oven baking

Oven-Baked Doughnuts

Baking doughnuts in the oven is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and it's also a lot less messy! You can still get a delicious batch of doughnuts without a deep fryer, and you'll have more time to get creative with flavours and toppings.

Oven Temperature

The oven temperature will depend on the recipe you're following, but generally, you'll want to bake your doughnuts at around 350°F (180°C).

Preparation

First, preheat your oven to the desired temperature and lightly grease a baking sheet. Then, prepare your doughnut dough according to your chosen recipe and shape it into the traditional doughnut shape.

Baking

Place the shaped doughnuts on the greased baking sheet and bake for around 12-15 minutes, or until they are a beautiful golden brown. The baking time will depend on the size and thickness of your doughnuts, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

After Baking

Once baked, remove the doughnuts from the oven and let them cool slightly. This is the perfect time to add your personal touch with glaze or other desired toppings. Enjoy your freshly baked doughnuts!

Tips

• Baking doughnuts will result in a slightly different texture compared to fried doughnuts. They will be more cake-like and less chewy.
• You can use a variety of glazes and toppings to decorate your baked doughnuts, such as chocolate, vanilla, or raspberry glaze, sprinkles, or freeze-dried raspberry pieces.
• Baked doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Air frying

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and they can be used to make doughnuts. However, the results may vary depending on the type of doughnut you want to create.

Yeast-Raised Doughnuts

Air-fried yeast doughnuts are a viable option if you're looking for a tasty treat that doesn't require deep frying. They have a light, spongy, and slightly chewy texture, similar to baked doughnuts. However, they may be slightly smaller and less colourful than their deep-fried counterparts due to the absence of the Maillard reaction that occurs in hot oil.

To make yeast-raised doughnuts in an air fryer, start by preparing the dough using a recipe specifically designed for air frying or baking. Let the dough rise, then cut out the doughnuts and place them in the air fryer basket. Spray the doughnuts with coconut oil or another type of cooking spray, and cook at 350°F for about 4 minutes. Finish with a simple sugar glaze or your preferred topping.

Cake-Style Doughnuts

Cake-style doughnuts, such as Mashed Potato Doughnuts, are not recommended for air frying. They tend to have a denser dough and require a higher heat to rise properly. When cooked in an air fryer, they may not rise well, colour evenly, or have the desired crispy texture. Instead, it is suggested to bake these types of doughnuts in the oven to achieve better results.

Tips for Air Frying Doughnuts

• Avoid using canned biscuit dough, as it won't give you the authentic doughnut taste and texture.
• Use a recipe specifically designed for air frying or baking, as deep-frying recipes may not translate well to the air fryer.
• Experiment with different types of glazes and toppings to find your favourite combination.
• Always follow the safety instructions for your air fryer, as some models may have different temperature or cooking time requirements.

Using a convection oven

Yes, you can make doughnuts without a deep fryer! If you want to avoid frying, you can bake your doughnuts in a convection oven. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat your convection oven.

Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). This temperature will ensure your doughnuts bake evenly and achieve a golden brown colour.

Step 2: Prepare your doughnut dough.

You can use your favourite doughnut dough recipe or try something new! A basic doughnut dough typically includes all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, yeast, butter, milk, water, and vanilla extract. You can also add other ingredients like eggs, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon to enhance the flavour and texture.

Step 3: Shape the dough into doughnuts.

Roll out your dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use a doughnut cutter or a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out your doughnuts. You can also cut out the doughnut holes with a smaller cutter (about 1 1/4 inches). Place the shaped doughnuts on a greased baking sheet, leaving some space between them to allow for expansion.

Step 4: Let the doughnuts rise.

Cover the shaped doughnuts with cling film and let them rise at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the dough to become light and airy, ensuring your doughnuts are fluffy and not dense.

Step 5: Bake the doughnuts.

Once your doughnuts have risen, uncover them and brush the tops lightly with melted butter. This will give them a golden, crispy exterior. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overbake.

Step 6: Glaze and serve.

Remove the doughnuts from the oven when they are golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly, and then it's time for the best part—glazing! You can make a simple glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a small amount of water. Dunk each warm doughnut into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to set. You can also add sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings to customise your doughnuts. Enjoy your freshly baked treats!

Baking doughnuts in a convection oven is a healthier alternative to deep frying, and it's a convenient way to make delicious treats at home. While the texture may differ slightly from traditional fried doughnuts, baked doughnuts can still be fluffy, tasty, and satisfying. So, preheat that oven and get ready to indulge in some freshly baked doughnuts!

Using a cake doughnut recipe

If you're looking for a cake doughnut recipe that doesn't require a deep fryer, there are a few options you can try. Cake doughnuts are characterised by their soft, cake-like texture, and they can be easily made at home without the need for deep frying. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious cake doughnuts:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Butter, melted
• Milk
• Egg
• Vegetable oil or another flavourless oil

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 2: Add Butter

Mix in the melted butter until the mixture resembles crumbs. You can use a fork or a pastry cutter to mix the butter into the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Stir in the milk and egg to the dry mixture. Mix until the batter is smooth and all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Lightly knead the dough on a lightly floured surface. You don't need to knead it extensively; just enough to bring it together into a smooth ball.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough is sticky, you can dust it with a little more flour to prevent it from sticking to your work surface or the rolling pin.

Step 6: Cut Out the Doughnuts

Use a doughnut cutter or two round biscuit cutters of different sizes to cut out the doughnuts. Place the cut doughnuts on a greased baking sheet or tray.

Step 7: Bake the Doughnuts

Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F and 375°F (depending on your recipe). Brush the tops of the doughnuts with melted butter and bake them for 13 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and cooked through.

Step 8: Make the Glaze

While the doughnuts are baking, you can prepare the glaze. A simple glaze can be made by mixing confectioners' sugar, water, and vanilla extract. You can also add food colouring or other flavourings to create different glaze varieties.

Step 9: Glaze the Doughnuts

Once the doughnuts are baked and still warm, dip them into the glaze, turning to coat them completely. Place the glazed doughnuts on a wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off and for the glaze to set.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

These homemade cake doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the doughnuts for longer storage.

Frequently asked questions