Mastering Donuts: Deep Frying For Delicious Results

Making donuts at home is a fun and tasty activity, and you don't need a deep fryer to do it! There are several alternative methods for cooking donuts, including baking them in the oven, using a stovetop, or even an air fryer. Each method will give your donuts a slightly different texture, but they can all be delicious. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to make delicious homemade donuts using these alternative cooking methods.

Choosing a heavy-bottomed pot or skillet and filling it with oil

To fry donuts without a deep fryer, you'll need to choose a heavy-bottomed pot or a deep skillet. This type of cookware is essential for achieving the ideal frying temperature and maintaining even heat distribution. It's important to select a pot or skillet made from a thick, conductive material like cast iron or stainless steel.

Once you've chosen your cookware, it's time to fill it with oil. The type of oil you use is crucial, as it can impact the flavour and smoke point of your donuts. Neutral-tasting oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil, are recommended. These oils can withstand high temperatures without imparting any distinct flavour to your treats.

When filling your chosen pot or skillet with oil, aim for a depth of around 2-3 inches. This will ensure that your donuts are fully submerged during frying, allowing them to cook evenly and achieve that perfect golden brown crust.

As the oil heats up, you can start preparing your donut dough according to your favourite recipe. It's important to have your dough ready before the oil reaches the ideal temperature, which is around 350°F (176°C). Once the oil is hot enough, you can carefully slide the donuts into the pot using a slotted spoon or tongs. Take care not to overcrowd the pot, as this can affect the cooking process.

By choosing the right cookware and filling it with the appropriate type and amount of oil, you'll be well on your way to frying delicious donuts without the need for a deep fryer!

Preparing the donut dough

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for your donut dough. The specific ingredients may vary depending on the recipe you are following, but typically, you will need flour, sugar, yeast, butter, milk, water, eggs, and salt. You may also want to include additional ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to enhance the flavour of your donuts.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well incorporated. If you are using a stand mixer, you can use the dough hook attachment for this step. Make sure to mix thoroughly, ensuring that the yeast is evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a separate measuring jug or bowl, combine the milk, water, butter, and any other wet ingredients such as vanilla extract or eggs. Heat this mixture until it is lukewarm, and the butter is completely melted. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent the ingredients from scorching or separating.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With your dry ingredients mixed and your wet ingredients prepared, it's time to combine them. Turn on your stand mixer to a low speed and slowly add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix for about 2 minutes to activate the yeast and ensure proper incorporation. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and ensure that all the ingredients are fully combined.

Step 5: Knead the Dough

Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the dough becomes shiny and smooth. This process may take 6-8 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky and wet. If you are mixing by hand, this step may take longer, and you may need to adjust the amount of flour or liquid to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 6: First Rise

Coat a large mixing bowl with vegetable oil or another flavourless oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to coat lightly with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place. The ideal temperature for proofing dough is between 24°C and 29°C. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Step 7: Roll and Cut the Dough

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to the desired thickness, usually about ½ inch thick. Using a round cutter, cut out the donut shapes. You can use a smaller cutter or a piping nozzle to cut out the holes in the middle of each donut. Place the cut donuts and donut holes on a floured surface or a lined baking tray, depending on the recipe.

Step 8: Second Rise

Cover the cut donuts with cling film or a towel and let them rise at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This second rise will give the donuts a final boost of airiness and help them achieve the perfect texture.

Your donut dough is now ready to be fried! The next steps will involve frying the donuts, creating a glaze or topping, and enjoying your delicious homemade treats.

Heating the oil to 350°F (176°C)

While the oil is heating, it is important to prepare the donut dough according to your chosen recipe. This step ensures that the dough is ready to be fried once the oil reaches the desired temperature.

Once the oil reaches 350°F (176°C), it's time to carefully add the donuts to the pot. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, gently slide the donuts into the hot oil, ensuring that you do not overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding can impact the cooking process and affect the consistency of the results.

The frying time for each donut is approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Keep a close eye on the color of the donuts, as you want them to turn a beautiful golden brown. Adjust the frying time as needed to prevent overcooking or undercooking.

After frying, place the donuts on a paper towel-lined plate. This step helps absorb any excess oil, ensuring that your donuts are not greasy.

Frying each donut for 2-3 minutes

Frying donuts without a deep fryer is a simple process that can be done on a stovetop. The key to achieving a delicious batch of homemade donuts is maintaining the right oil temperature. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Frying Each Donut:

When frying donuts, it's important to monitor the oil temperature closely. The ideal temperature range for frying is between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure that the oil temperature stays within this range.

Once your oil reaches the desired temperature, it's time to carefully slide the donuts into the pot. Use a slotted spoon or tongs for this step, and make sure you don't overcrowd the pot. Frying too many donuts at once will affect the cooking process and the overall quality.

Each donut should be fried for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. This frying time will result in golden brown, delicious donuts. Keep a close eye on the color of the donuts, as you may need to adjust the frying time slightly depending on your desired level of doneness.

After frying each side for the recommended time, your donuts should have a beautiful golden brown color. Once they do, it's time to remove them from the oil. Place the fried donuts on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. This step will help ensure that your donuts are not overly greasy.

Tips for Success:

• Use a heavy-bottomed pot or a deep skillet for frying.
• Select a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
• Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure even cooking and consistent results.
• Monitor the oil temperature closely and adjust the stove's heat to maintain the ideal range.
• Be cautious when adding the donuts to the hot oil and when removing them to avoid any splashing or spills.

Placing the donuts on a paper towel-lined plate

Once your doughnuts are fried or baked, it's time to place them on a paper towel-lined plate. This step is crucial, as it helps to absorb any excess oil. Even if you've opted for a healthier baking or air-frying method, there may still be some residual oil on the doughnuts, and blotting them with paper towels is an effective way to remove it.

To do this, simply lay out several layers of paper towels on a plate or baking rack. Then, using a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully remove the doughnuts from the hot oil, draining any excess oil back into the pot or fryer. Place the doughnuts on the prepared plate, ensuring they are spaced out and not touching. This will prevent them from becoming soggy as the paper towels absorb the excess oil.

If you're baking or air-frying your doughnuts, you can follow a similar process. After removing them from the oven or air fryer, let them cool slightly. Then, use a spatula or tongs to transfer them to the paper towel-lined plate. Again, make sure they are spaced out to avoid any sogginess.

At this stage, your doughnuts should be looking golden brown and delicious. The paper towels will help to gently absorb any unwanted grease, ensuring your doughnuts have a perfect texture and mouthfeel. This step is especially important if you plan to add glaze or toppings, as it ensures the excess oil doesn't interfere with the taste and texture of your chosen toppings.

Overall, placing the doughnuts on a paper towel-lined plate is a crucial step in the doughnut-making process. It helps to remove excess oil, ensuring your treats are tasty, textured, and ready for the next step—whether that's adding a sweet glaze, a dusting of sugar, or enjoying them as they are!

Frequently asked questions