Make Fried Dough Without A Fryer: A Simple Guide

Fried dough is a delicious treat that can be made at home without a fryer. This simple recipe typically includes flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, milk, and a frying oil such as vegetable or peanut oil. The dough is mixed, kneaded, and divided into portions before being fried in a pan and served with sweet or savoury toppings. Fried dough is an international comfort food with many variations, such as elephant ears, sopaipillas, or bunuelos, and can be made more substantial by using soda water in the batter for a crunchier texture.

Mix dry ingredients

To mix the dry ingredients for fried dough, you will need a large bowl and a whisk or fork. The exact quantities of each ingredient may vary depending on the recipe you are following, but the most common dry ingredients for fried dough are:

• Flour (all-purpose, or gluten-free with tapioca starch)
• Sugar (granulated or powdered)
• Baking powder
• Salt

Some recipes may also call for:

• Yeast (active dry or instant)
• Spices (nutmeg)

To mix the dry ingredients, start by measuring out the required amounts of flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk or stir them together in a large bowl until they are well combined. If you are using yeast, you can add it to the dry mixture or activate it separately before adding it to the wet ingredients, depending on your recipe. Once your dry ingredients are mixed, you can add the wet ingredients (such as milk, butter, or oil) and combine everything to form your dough.

Add wet ingredients

Now that you've mixed your dry ingredients in a large bowl, it's time to add the wet ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need milk and melted butter. You can use any type of milk you have, including almond milk or coconut milk. If you're using butter, it's best to use unsalted butter. You can also use plant-based butter if you prefer. Add these ingredients to your dry mixture and give everything a good mix with a fork. You can also use a mixer if you have one.

If you want to add a touch of extra flavor, you can include vanilla extract. This will give your fried dough a cozy, homemade taste. You can also experiment with other extracts, such as almond or orange extract, to create unique flavor profiles.

Once you've added your wet ingredients, you'll want to transfer the dough to a board or flat surface. Knead the dough with your hands for about 2 minutes. This will help to ensure that all the ingredients are well combined. You can also use a dough mixer or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment if you prefer.

After kneading, form the dough into a ball and let it rest. This will give the dough time to relax and make it easier to roll out. The resting time can vary depending on the recipe, but it's usually around 10 to 15 minutes.

Knead the dough

Kneading the dough is an important step in the fried dough-making process. Once you've mixed together your dry ingredients (including flour, baking powder, and salt) and worked in the butter, you'll want to stir in some warm water to create a soft dough. Cover this and let it rest for about 15 minutes.

Now it's time to knead! First, transfer your dough to a board or a flat surface. Then, use your hands to knead the dough for about 2 minutes. You'll want to put a bit of muscle into it and really work the dough—this will help develop the gluten and give your fried dough a delicious, chewy texture. Once you're done kneading, form the dough into a ball and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

After the dough has rested, you can start frying! But before you do, make sure you divide the dough ball into 8 pieces and roll each piece out until it's about ⅜" thick. This will ensure that your fried dough has a nice, even thickness.

Now you're ready to heat your oil and start frying your dough! Enjoy the delicious, crispy, golden-brown treats that are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Heat oil

Heating the oil is a crucial step in the process of making fried dough. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, ensure you are using the right type and amount of oil. Vegetable oil is typically recommended for frying the dough, but other options such as peanut oil or avocado oil can also be used. You will need enough oil to reach a depth of about 1 inch (or 3/8 inches in a smaller pan) in your chosen pan.

Next, heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat. The ideal temperature for frying the dough is 350°F (or 175°C/190°C). Use a thermometer, preferably digital, to monitor the oil's temperature accurately. If you don't have a thermometer, you can guesstimate by frying a small piece of dough; it should turn a light brown colour in around 60 seconds.

While the oil is heating, prepare your dough by dividing it into portions and rolling them out to the desired thickness. This will ensure that you are ready to start frying as soon as the oil reaches the correct temperature.

Once the oil has reached the desired temperature, it's time to start frying! Carefully lower the rolled-out dough into the pan. Fry the dough in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature and affect the cooking process.

Use a slotted spoon, spatula, or tongs to gently turn the dough during cooking. Fry each piece for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until it turns a light golden brown colour. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the ideal temperature of 350°F.

If the oil gets too hot, carefully slide the pan off the burner for a moment to bring the temperature down. Remember that the oil temperature is crucial to achieving the perfect fried dough, so keep a close eye on it throughout the cooking process.

Fry the dough

Now for the fun part! Frying the dough is a quick and easy process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure perfect results.

First, you'll want to make sure your oil is heated to the correct temperature. Most recipes recommend heating about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep pan to around 350°F-375°F (175°C-190°C). Use a candy or digital thermometer to monitor the temperature.

While the oil is heating, divide your dough into smaller portions. The exact size will depend on how large you want your fried dough to be, but a good guideline is to divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces, each about the size of a golf ball.

Once your oil has reached the desired temperature, it's time to start frying! Carefully drop a few dough balls into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them for about 1-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried dough from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Repeat this process with the remaining dough balls until they are all cooked. You may need to adjust the heat under your pan as you go to maintain the proper oil temperature. If the oil gets too hot, carefully slide the pan off the burner for a moment to bring the temperature down.

Finally, let your fried dough cool slightly before serving. For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or your favorite sweet or savory toppings.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy, and airy fried dough to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions