Tillie Doyle
Frying donuts at home is a fun and tasty endeavour, but it can be a little tricky. There are a few key steps to follow to ensure your donuts are cooked to golden perfection. Firstly, prepare your dough, allowing it to rise for an hour or so. Then, cut out your donuts and let them rest for a further 30-45 minutes. Next, heat around 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 350-375°F. Carefully fry the donuts for about 1-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Finally, drain the excess oil and enjoy your donuts plain or coated in sugar, glaze, or dip!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough thickness | 3/4 inch |
| Oil type | Canola oil |
| Oil temperature | 350°F-375°F |
| Oil depth | 2-3 inches |
| Frying time | 1-2 minutes per side |
| Frying technique | Deep frying |
| Frying utensil | Heavy-bottomed pan or cast-iron skillet |
| Dough preparation | Knead for 5-7 minutes, then let rise for 1 hour |
| Glaze | Blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry |
| Toppings | Sugar, cinnamon, nuts, or chocolate chips |
| Storage | Freeze in freezer bags |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
To prepare the dough, start by warming up the milk and butter together in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is completely melted. Set the milk mixture aside and allow it to cool to lukewarm. In a separate bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water, add a teaspoon of sugar, whisk, and let it dissolve for about 5 minutes. You will know it is ready when a layer of foam forms on top.
Once the milk mixture has cooled, combine it with the yeast mixture. Add in the beaten eggs, sugar, salt, and flour. Knead the dough until all the ingredients are fully combined. You may need to add more flour at this stage, a little at a time, until the dough is tacky but doesn't stick to your fingers. Knead the dough for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
Cover the dough and let it rise. Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press the dough into a rectangle and use a donut cutter or a cookie cutter to cut out the doughnuts. You can also use the leftover dough to make bite-sized donuts or donut holes. Cover the cut-out donuts and let them rise for an additional 30 to 45 minutes.
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Shaping the doughnuts
Firstly, prepare your dough by combining the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You can use regular flour or gluten-free flour, depending on your preference. Add in the wet ingredients, such as milk, melted butter, eggs, and yeast dissolved in water. Knead the dough until it is fully combined and tacky but not sticky. Cover the dough and let it rise for about an hour until it has doubled in size.
Next, on a floured surface, roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 to 3/4 inch thick. Use a donut cutter or a cookie cutter to cut out as many rounds as you can. If using a donut cutter, make sure to dip it in flour first. You can also use the rim of a cup to cut out the dough and then poke a hole in the middle with your finger. Remember, they don't need to be perfect circles, as frying will change their shape anyway.
Now, gather the leftover dough and cut it into small portions for bite-sized doughnuts. Cover these with plastic wrap or a cloth and let them rise for an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Place the cut-out doughnuts on individual pre-cut parchment papers and set them on a large tray or plate. If you have any remaining scraps of dough, fold and re-roll them to cut out more doughnuts.
Finally, before frying, let the doughnuts rest for a while. This step is important because it allows the flour to absorb any water, reducing the risk of splattering when the doughnuts are placed in hot oil. You can also chill the shaped doughnuts in the fridge overnight or freeze them and store them in freezer bags.
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Frying the doughnuts
Preparing the Dough:
Before frying, ensure your dough is ready. You can prepare the dough by following a recipe of your choice. Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Use a donut cutter or a cookie cutter to cut out the doughnuts and create the signature hole in the centre. Place the cut-out doughnuts on parchment paper, and if you have any remaining dough, re-roll it and cut out more doughnuts.
Heating the Oil:
For frying the doughnuts, heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or a deep frying pan. Canola oil is recommended for a great texture and to avoid an oily taste. Heat the oil to a temperature between 350°F and 375°F. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the right temperature.
Once the oil is hot enough, carefully lower a few doughnuts into the oil, peeling them off the parchment paper. Fry in batches of 3-5, depending on the size of your pan, to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on the temperature and allow it to come back up between batches.
Draining and Coating:
After frying, remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack over a tray or on paper towels to drain the excess oil. If you plan to glaze or dip your doughnuts, allow them to cool first. For a classic sugar coating, shake the warm doughnuts in a bowl of granulated sugar until coated.
Safety Tips:
Frying doughnuts can be a little tricky due to the hot oil. To ensure safety, make sure the dough is dry on the outside before frying, as moisture can cause steam and lead to splattering. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the pan, and always let the oil temperature come back up between batches. You can also use parchment paper to safely slide the doughnuts into the oil.
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Glazing the doughnuts
Glazing your doughnuts is an easy process that adds a sweet, decadent touch to your homemade treats. There are many different types of glazes you can make, but a simple glaze typically includes powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. For a fruity twist, you can add a tablespoon of blueberry jam or jelly to your glaze.
To make the glaze, simply whisk the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until you achieve a smooth consistency. You can adjust the consistency by adding hot water, one tablespoon at a time, but be careful not to make it too watery.
Once your glaze is ready, it's time to dip your doughnuts. Allow the doughnuts to cool slightly before dipping them into the glaze. Submerge each doughnut a little more than halfway, then remove and turn it over. You can dip the doughnuts twice if you prefer a thicker glaze. Place the glazed doughnuts on a cooling rack, and they will be ready to serve in about 20 minutes as the glaze sets.
Glazed doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or even freeze them for two to three months. However, freshly made doughnuts with their warm, fluffy texture and delicious glaze are hard to beat, so it's worth the effort to indulge in a homemade treat.
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Safety tips for frying
Frying donuts can be dangerous, so it is important to take safety precautions. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while frying donuts:
First, always use a deep fryer or a heavy, deep saucepan. The oil reaches very high temperatures, which can start fires or cause burns. A deep fryer or saucepan will help contain the hot oil and reduce the risk of splattering. Make sure to use a long-handled slotted metal spoon to ease the donuts into the oil and to turn and remove them. This will keep your hands away from the hot oil.
Second, be sure to have a kitchen fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it properly. Never use water to put out a grease fire. Instead, use the fire extinguisher or cover the fire with a metal lid. Always add oil to a cold fryer or pan that is turned off or unheated. Keep the fryer or pan away from sources of water to reduce the risk of splattering.
Third, keep a close eye on the temperature of the oil. Use a frying thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust the heat as needed. The ideal frying temperature for donuts is between 350°F and 375°F. If the oil is too hot, it will burn the outside of the donuts while the inside remains doughy. If the oil is not hot enough, the donuts will be greasy and have a tough crust.
Fourth, avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry two to three donuts at a time to allow them to cook evenly and prevent the oil from becoming overcrowded, which can affect the temperature and cooking time.
Finally, always ensure that the items you are frying are dry before placing them in the oil. If the surface is damp, it can cause steam, which can lead to splattering. Additionally, let the items come up to room temperature before frying. Dropping something cold into hot oil can also cause splattering.
By following these safety tips, you can help ensure that frying donuts at home is a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can pan-fry donuts.
You will need milk, butter, granulated sugar, salt, flour, and oil for frying.
First, make the dough and cut out the donut shapes. Then, heat oil in a pan or skillet to around 350-375°F. Carefully place the donuts in the oil and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain the excess oil using a wire rack or paper towels, then coat the donuts in granulated sugar.
