How to make easy Homemade Donuts without Yeast

How to make easy Homemade Donuts without Yeast - These Donuts without Yeast/Doughnuts without Yeast aka Donut Holes are quick and easy to make and they remind me of Fairground Donuts. They are fluffy and as delicious as regular yeasted donuts and for me, nostalgic too. Especially at this time of year. Blackpool lights and Donuts went hand in hand for us.These fresh donuts make a great treat and are ready to eat in minutes.

Homemade donuts without yeast

Everyone loves Donuts and these are my favourite kind. They are light, Fluffy, Sweet, Quick and Easy to make.

The Cinnamon Sugar that they are coated in, makes them taste even better!

In this easy recipe, there is also no need to prove the donuts. Instead we use raising agent/s. Baking powder and Bicarbonate of Soda create the lift that is needed saving a lot of time and effort!

The best bit of this recipe is that you go straight to frying! Meaning you will be eating a fresh donut within a matter of minutes! 

If you are a chocolate lover, serve them with chocolate or better still cover them in a simple chocolate glaze to make chocolate donuts.

ingredients and substitutions

This recipe requires simple ingredients. Here is what you need and potential substitutions:

Plain Flour

Plain Flour (All Purpose flour) is best but you can also use Self Raising Flour (Self-rising flour). Just omit the Baking Powder from the recipe. I would not recommend wholemeal flour.

Greek Yogurt

Buttermilk or Sour cream also work well. You can also add Whole Milk to a small bowl and add a tablespoon of Lemon Juice. Then set aside for a few minutes and use that in place of the Yoghurt.

Sugar

Caster or Granulated Sugar is what we use in this recipe. Light Brown Sugar also works.

Cinnamon

Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom or a Chai/Pumpkin mix to flavour the sugar. 

Eggs

Use good quality free range eggs.

Butter

Melted butter is used to flavour the ingredients and bind them together along with the eggs. You can use salted or unsalted butter.

Baking powder and Bicarbonate of Soda

These are raising agents/leavening agent and add lift.

These cannot be skipped or substituted for anything else.

Oil

This is for frying. Vegetable Oil, Sunflower, Rapeseed or canola oil work well.

how to make fluffy donuts without yeast

The full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Combine Caster Sugar and Cinnamon in a plate and whisk together.

Combine the wet ingredients - Yoghurt, Egg and butter in a bowl. Whisk together.

Whisk the dry ingredients together - Flour, Salt, Sugar and Baking Powder in a large bowl.

Slowly stir in the Yoghurt and Egg mixture, mixing well.

Stir together then place on a lightly floured surface and bring together with your hands to form a dough.

Roll the donut batter out into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. You will need to flour the rolling pin. 

Cut out 25 circles reusing any leftover dough. 

Heat oil (3 inch deep) in a deep pan. Once hot (180 c/350 f) you can either deep fry or shallow fry these donuts by gently lowering into the oil. 

Test the oil by dropping some dough into it, the dough will quickly float to the top. If it is too fast the oil is too hot, if it takes a while, the oil is not ready yet.

To deep fry, fry on high heat for 2 - 3 minutes on medium heat turning once If you choose to shallow fry, you will need to fry for a minute or 2 longer.

Remove warm Donuts from the oil to the cinnamon sugar mixture using a stainless steel/wire strainer.

Use a spoon to roll the Donuts in the Cinnamon Sugar.

Repeat with remaining donuts until all the donuts are done.

top tips 

This recipe is pretty simple, but these top tips will help make  the process easier:

Cinnamon Sugar

You can flavour the sugar with anything you like, such as cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, lemon zest.

Melted Chocolate to serve

You can serve it with a small pot of melted chocolate or nutella.

Yoghurt

If you don't have Yoghurt, use Buttermilk or Sour Cream. I like to use plain Greek yogurt.

Oil Temperature

Make sure your oil doesn't get too hot. Keep the heat at medium low. 

Dough

The dough can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and kept in the fridge in an airtight container.

Shape 

Some of the Donuts will puff up and make a round ball but some will just puff up and rise. Both will taste great!

Don’t overcrowd the Oil

This drops the temperature of the Oil so the Donuts will not get crispy. Instead they will act like sponges and absorb excess oil making for soggy greasy donuts instead.

Troubleshooting

My Donuts did not cook all the way through!

Make sure that the Donuts are cooking all the way through by testing one at the recommended time and making sure there is no wet dough left in the middle. 

Then make the remaining donuts accordingly. 

If your oil temperature is too high, the donuts turn a golden brown but remain uncooked on the inside.

Donut Dough is Sticky

Flour varies between brands. Add a sprinkling of flour if your dough is too wet then bring the dough together and add a little more flour if needed. 

Dense Donuts

If your Donuts feel a bit tough, it is usually because they are overcooked. For best results, stick to the time specified.

Variations

Use different flavors

Flavour the Donuts with your favourite flavours such as Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom and Ginger. 

You can also add other flavours like Vanilla Extract or Orange Zest, Lemon Zest or other Extracts.

Add your favorite Toppings

Add toppings such as Nutella, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Glaze, Maple Syrup, Nuts, Sprinkles or Icing. 

You can also use Icing Sugar rather then Cinnamon Sugar for the coating.

storage and make ahead 

Make Dough Ahead 

If you don’t want to cook your donuts straight away, you can make the dough up to 48 hours ahead of time and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Leftovers

Donuts are best eaten fresh, so enjoy within a few hours.

Leftovers can be stored in a tub for up to 24 hours. 

frequently asked questions

can donuts be made in the air fryer?

Yes you can make air fryer donuts by air frying donuts for 7 - 9 minutes at 350 f/180 C. Just make sure to line the basket with baking paper/parchment paper and spray the donuts first.

how many donuts does this recipe make?

The number of Donuts will vary depending on size. I use a 5 cm biscuit cutter.

more recipes you may like:

Lemon Syrup Loaf Cake

Easy Brownies Recipe

Nutella Cups

Millionaire Shortbread

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