Biscuit Donut Recipe (2024)

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This shockingly easy biscuit donut recipe only takes three ingredients to make thanks to canned biscuit dough — yes, you heard that right. It has all the flakey, fluffy layers that classic yeast donuts have and this sugared donut version is an absolute favorite!

There is absolutely nothing in the world that I love more for breakfast than a classic fried sugared donut and a large cup of coffee. Every morning, when I go to a favorite local coffee shop near work, I’m always looking for their pastry display case to have a sugared donut. They sometimes have it and they sometimes don’t. On the days they have it, it’s probably one of the best ways to wake me up in the morning because I instantly perk up and get excited to bite into a freshly fried sugared donut. There’s just something about the light crispy dough and the sugar crystals covering your lips.

These biscuit donuts are a shortcut way to make bakery-style donuts at home. They were light, fluffy, yeasty, and just like what you get at the store. The best part about this is that you can have it straight out of the fryer so it’s still warm and fresh. No speed driving home to devour these; you can eat them almost immediately after their sugary bath!

Why You’ll Love This

• Bakery style right at home. Fresh out of the oven treats are always the best but not always possible. With these biscuit donuts made at home, you can have them right out of the fryer for that warm, bakery style feel.
• Light and fluffy. You wouldn’t believe that canned biscuit dough would make light and fluffy donuts once deep fried but prepared to be surprised because after all, they are biscuit dough.
• Only 3 ingredients! Yes, you literally only need THREE ingredients to get the best sugared donut!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These biscuit donuts will surprise you with the short ingredient list. Make sure to scroll down to view the full recipe for exact measurements.

• Refrigerated biscuit dough – I recommend using Pillsbury flakey layers biscuits!
• Canola oil
• Granulated sugar

How To Make Biscuit Donuts

Here is a general overview of the steps involved to make sugary biscuit donuts. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Heat the oil. In a large, heavy bottom pan, like a Dutch oven, heat up 4 cups (1 quart) of oil to 375 degrees F.

Separate the biscuits and shape them. While the oil is heating up, remove the biscuits from their packaging then using a small biscuit cutter, cut out a hole in the middle of the dough and roll that cut out into a ball for the donut hole.

Make the biscuit donut. Once the oil has heat up to the correct temperature, gently drop the donuts, 2-3 at a time, into the hot oil and fry until puffed and golden on both sides, about 1-2 minutes. Using a spider strainer or slotted spoon, remove the donut from the oil and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool or a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat until all the dough has been fried.

Toss in sugar. While the donut is still warm, toss in granulated sugar and enjoy!

Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations

• Don’t overcrowd the oil. When you overcrowd the oil, it brings down the temperature which can lead to greasy donuts due to it not being able to fry up properly and just sitting in the oil.
• Use the right tools. You’re going to want to grab yourself a candy/fryer thermometer to clip on the side of your pot to ensure the temperature is staying constant. Additionally, using a spider strainer will help you remove these biscuit donuts from the oil with ease due to the larger circumference of the strainer vs. a slotted spoon.
• Make different flavors. This is where you can get creative! Instead of rolling it in sugar, you could dust it in powdered sugar instead to create a powdered sugar donut! Alternatively, you could create a chocolate frosted donut (allow the donut to cool before spreading on though) or perhaps inject some strawberry jelly into the donut holes with a syringe. The possibilities are endless!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

As much as I adore leftover donuts, these are best to be eaten day of as they will otherwise get greasy and soggy. This would be a great excuse to share with your neighbors or friends the day of or host a brunch at your house to ensure there are no leftovers. I know, it’s sad when there are no more donuts.

How to Serve with Sugared Biscuit Donuts

There are so many ways I can think of to serve these biscuit donuts. Here are some of my favorite ways:

• Brunch buffet. Include these sugary donuts in your next brunch buffet! Serve alongside these brunch favorites: Blueberry Pancakes, Biscuits and Gravy Casserole, Cheesy Bacon Sausage Breakfast Sliders, Egg White Breakfast Casserole.
• Make your own donut bar. This could be fun, depending on what you call fun, haha – have these biscuit donuts undecorated and put out toppings for folks to decorate themselves or create their own flavor.
• Coffee. Go the traditional route and have these sugary biscuit donuts with a cup of coffee such as this Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Latte or Iced Mint Latte!