Making Cinnamon Donuts: Easy Frying Without A Deep Fryer

Cinnamon donuts are a delicious treat, but deep frying can be messy and time-consuming. Luckily, there are several ways to make cinnamon donuts without a deep fryer. You can bake them in the oven, air fry them, or even fry them in a pot of oil on the stovetop. Here are some tips and tricks to make the perfect cinnamon donuts without a deep fryer.

Cinnamon sugar coating

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

• Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Stir the mixture until the sugar and cinnamon are well combined.
• Dip each doughnut into the melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Coat the doughnuts on one or both sides, depending on your preference.

Tips

• For a thicker coating, dip the doughnuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm.
• If you prefer a lighter coating, let the doughnuts cool down before dipping them into the mixture.
• You can also sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the doughnuts instead of rolling them.
• For a crunchier texture, use a larger grain of sugar, such as turbinado or demerara sugar.
• Adjust the amount of cinnamon according to your taste preference. You can add more cinnamon for a stronger flavour and a darker colour.

Storage

• The cinnamon sugar coating is best enjoyed when freshly made.
• If you have any leftover doughnuts, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For filled doughnuts, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
• Freezing the coated doughnuts is not recommended as it may affect their texture.

Glaze options

Vanilla Glaze

Vanilla is a classic glaze option for donuts. To make a vanilla glaze, you will need milk or cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. You can also add rainbow sprinkles for a pop of colour and texture. This glaze is simple to prepare and can be made by whisking together the ingredients until smooth.

Chocolate Fudge Glaze

For chocolate lovers, a chocolate fudge glaze is a perfect option. To make this glaze, you will need butter, light brown sugar, double cream, vanilla extract, icing sugar, and dark chocolate. Melt the butter and brown sugar together over low heat, then add the cream and simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and icing sugar. Break the dark chocolate into chunks and melt in the microwave, then drizzle over the donuts.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Glaze

This glaze option is perfect for those who want a fruity twist to their donuts. To make this glaze, you will need white chocolate, vegetable oil, pink food colouring, and freeze-dried raspberries. Melt the white chocolate and stir in the vegetable oil and food colouring. Dip each donut in the glaze and scatter freeze-dried raspberry pieces on top.

Maple Glaze

For a unique flavour, you can make a maple glaze by replacing the vanilla extract in the original recipe with maple flavouring. This will give your donuts a sweet and earthy flavour.

Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate glaze is a popular choice for donuts. To make this glaze, simply add cocoa powder to the confectioner's sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract mixture. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid to achieve the desired consistency.

Buttery Glaze

A buttery glaze is a classic option for donuts. To make this glaze, melt butter in a saucepan and add confectioners' sugar, water, and vanilla. Cook over low heat until smooth. Dip the warm donuts in the glaze and let them drain on a wire rack.

Dough preparation

The dough preparation for cinnamon donuts without a deep fryer involves combining dry and wet ingredients, kneading the dough, and shaping it before frying or baking. Here's a detailed guide:

• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these ingredients until well-combined and uniform in colour. You can also sift the ingredients together to ensure a light and airy texture.
• Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and any other liquids or flavourings you desire. If making buttermilk doughnuts, you can create your own buttermilk by mixing milk with a little lemon juice and letting it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is combined. You can use a spatula or a whisk for this step. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as it may affect the texture of your donuts.
• Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead it gently until it forms a cohesive ball. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour and knead until it becomes smooth and manageable. This step ensures that the dough has the right consistency for shaping.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): Depending on the recipe, you may want to wrap the dough in plastic and chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour. This step can help firm up the dough and make it easier to handle during the shaping process.
• Shape the Dough: To shape the dough into donuts, you can use a donut cutter, a round cookie cutter, or the top of a drinking glass. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then roll out the dough to your desired thickness (typically around 1/2 inch). Cut out as many donuts as possible, and don't forget to cut out the holes in the middle! If you have leftover dough, gather it, roll it out again, and cut out more donuts.
• Prepare for Frying or Baking: If frying, heat a sufficient amount of oil (such as vegetable oil or canola oil) in a heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan to the recommended temperature (typically around 350°F). Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. If baking, grease your donut pans or a baking sheet generously with butter or non-stick spray.
• Cook the Donuts: Carefully place the shaped donuts into the hot oil, a few at a time, to avoid crowding the pot. Fry them for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are evenly golden brown. If baking, spoon the batter into the prepared pans, filling each one about three-quarters full. Bake at 350°F for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
• Cool and Decorate: Remove the cooked donuts from the oil or oven and let them cool slightly. If you've fried your donuts, drain them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Once they are cool enough to handle, you can decorate them by dipping them in glaze, sprinkling them with cinnamon sugar, or adding any other desired toppings.

Frying methods

There are several ways to fry cinnamon doughnuts without a deep fryer. Here are some options:

• Using a heavy-bottomed potFill a heavy-bottomed pot with 2-3 inches of oil and attach a thermometer. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) – be careful not to heat it up too quickly and monitor the temperature closely. Carefully lower 2-3 doughnuts into the oil at a time, frying them for about 90 seconds or until evenly golden. Remove the doughnuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
• Using a medium-heavy pot: Heat 2 inches of oil in a medium-heavy pot to 360-370°F (182-188°C) using a candy thermometer. Carefully drop 2-3 doughnuts into the hot oil at a time, turning them a couple of times as they fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden. Remove the doughnuts with a slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate for 30-60 seconds before serving.
• Using an air fryer: Although not specifically mentioned for cinnamon doughnuts, air fryers can be used to make doughnut holes.

Storage

Cinnamon donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container.

Room Temperature Storage

Cinnamon donuts can be stored at room temperature for up to two days. Place the donuts in a single layer in an airtight container.

Refrigerated Storage

You can also store cinnamon donuts in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life. Place them in an airtight container or Ziplock bag and keep them for up to three days.

Freezing Cinnamon Donuts

If you want to store your cinnamon donuts for an even longer period, freezing is an option. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Frozen donuts will stay fresh for up to three months.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen treats, you can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave for a quicker option, heating them for 10-15 seconds and then in short 5-second increments until they're fully thawed.

Reviving Stale Donuts

If your cinnamon donuts have gone stale, you can revive them by popping them in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften them.

So, whether you're storing them at room temperature, in the fridge, or choosing to freeze them, you can make sure your cinnamon donuts stay fresh and delicious for future enjoyment!

Frequently asked questions