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Have you been hesitant to make homemade donuts? We have a recipe for easy biscuit donuts that is absolutely delicious and very simple. Each bite is soft and fluffy and coated in a tasty sugar topping.

Donuts stacked together.
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Easy biscuit donuts

This homemade donut recipe is the absolute best recipe. You will not believe that donuts can be this amazing from a can of biscuits. They are that good.

Be prepared to make these again and again because they are SO delicious. My kids like them with an ice cold glass of milk and I think they are great with a cup of coffee.

They are such an easy and delicious breakfast. Your family and friends will love this.

I could eat these donuts all by themselves. However, they are perfect served with Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole Recipe. Talk about a fabulous brunch.

My kids have requested this for breakfast after a sleepover. It was a big hit with all of their friends.

The recipe is not only really yummy but it’s very inexpensive to make. We normally can get a can of biscuits on sale or even super cheap regularly priced.

I love recipes that are frugal and do not bust the budge. My kids get so excited when I make these and it’s become a special treat around here.

How to make biscuit donuts

Just start with a roll of biscuits. I used an apple corer to create the hole in the middle.

Heat your oil and fry. It is that simple. Coat in a cinnamon sugar mixture and enjoy.

You might want to start off with grabbing a couple of cans of biscuits. I only bought one the first time I made these and the donuts went very fast.

Everyone gobbled these amazing donuts up.

Ingredients for recipe: oil, biscuits, cinnamon and sugar.


Ingredient for Biscuit donuts:

  • Biscuits (I used Pillsbury Original Grands Flaky Lakers 8 ct)
  • Vegetable Oil
  • White Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon
Stack of donuts.

How to make homemade donuts with biscuits

  • First, separate the biscuits and cut a hole in each one. I used an apple corer to quickly do this.
  • Set the biscuits aside and make the coating. Just add sugar and cinnamon to a small bowl and whisk.

    Stir to combine. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold your donuts.
  • Next, add oil to a small saucepan. You’ll need about 2 inch of oil to fry the donuts. Use the medium heat setting for the oil.
4 photos of process of making donuts and coating in topping.
  • Now place the biscuits carefully into the hot oil. Drop them one a time and cook for 1 minute on each side.

    This is essential. If you go by “looks” your donuts will probably be doughy/uncooked in the center.

    It seems like a minute is a long time and they tend to get pretty dark in the oil, but it’s enough time to cook each side.
  • Then flip the donut when 1 minute is up and continue to cook on the other side for 1 minute. You want the donuts to be golden brown.
  • Finally, remove from the oil carefully and place onto a plate. I recommend putting a paper towel on the plate to absorb any excess grease.
  • Finally, let the donuts set for another 2 minutes. Then dunk the hot donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture making sure to coat all the sides evenly.

Jump to recipe below.

Tip to make Homemade Fried donuts:

  • It is helpful to have an apple corer to make the hole in the center of the donut. It’s certainly optional but makes all of the donuts uniform. It also just helps to make the donuts come together quick. And we all know that means getting to eat them faster.
  • Dip the donuts in melted butter. We dipped the hot donuts in the coating without anything else added. However, you can also dip the donuts in melted butter prior to dunking in the cinnamon sugar mixture if you prefer.

How to store:

The donuts are best fresh. However, if you have leftovers store them inside an airtight container or bag at room temperature. They will last about 2 days.

If you want to make the donuts last longer, place them in the fridge. They will last up 5 to 7 days stored in the fridge.

When ready to eat, reheat them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. The texture will be different from when they were just fried but they will still be good. The donuts will just be softer.

Variation ideas

  • Glazed Donuts – Make an easy glaze with ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. Mix this together a little at a time because you may not need it all. Drizzle over the donuts.
  • Chocolate- Melt chocolate chips and lightly dip the top of the donut into the chocolate. This is an easy and tasty way to satisfy a chocolate craving.
  • Sprinkles– Most kids love sprinkles so feel free to top a few donuts with festive sprinkles. It would be fun to make these for a special birthday breakfast or Christmas morning.
Platter of donuts.
Donuts stacked together.

Easy Homemade Donuts are delicious.

Did you know you can also use doughnut holes with the biscuit dough? Save the dough from the center you cut out.

Fry those just like the donuts. You will have donut holes. So tasty and fun.

Another idea is to only make donut holes. If I am only making donut holes, I will roll the donuts out and use an apple corer to make individual holes.

It makes a ton of donut holes and they are so good deep fried.

Either way, these are so delicious and really simple. I love to make an assortment of different types- sugar topping, powdered sugar, glazed and more. Just get creative.

Close up photo of donut.

Print this Homemade Donut recipe below:

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Lazy Day Homemade Donuts

4.93 from 14 votes
Homemade donuts are simple to make! You can make these easy homemade donuts with a can of biscuits! Learn how to make homemade donuts that are delicious.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 208

Ingredients

  • 1 tube refrigerated biscuits (I used Pillsbury Original Grands Flaky Lakers 8 ct)
  • vegetable oil (enough to fill your saucepan about 2″ deep)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Add sugar and cinnamon to a small bowl and mix well. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold your donuts.
  • Add oil to a small saucepan. You’ll need about 2″ of oil. Heat on medium heat until hot.
  • Meanwhile, use an apple corer to cut a hole into each of the biscuits. Drop biscuits into hot oil, one at a time, cooking for 1 minute on each side. This is essential. If you go by “looks” your donuts will probably be doughy/uncooked in the center. It seems like a minute is a long time and they tend to get pretty dark in the oil, but it’s enough time to cook each side. Flip when 1 minute is up and continue to cook on the other side for 1 minute. Remove from oil carefully and place onto a plate lined with paper towels. Let set for another 2 minutes before dunking the hot donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat all sides evenly.
  • Makes 8 donuts

Recipe Notes

Have fun trying different toppings!  We love this cinnamon sugar topping, but a powdered sugar topping is also a hit at our house. And don’t forget a glaze with some sprinkles!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 208kcal, Carbohydrates 26g, Protein 1g, Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 6g, Sodium 254mg, Potassium 60mg, Sugar 13g, Calcium 23mg, Iron 1mg

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Close up photo of donut.

More Homemade donut recipes:

Homemade donuts are simple to make! You can make these easy homemade donuts with a can of biscuits! Learn how to make homemade fried donuts that are delicious too. You only need 4 ingredients to make this super easy breakfast recipe.  #eatingondime #donuts #breakfastrecipes #easybreakfastideas

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. If You want to save calories…Air fry these at 350 for 5 minutes
    Use the same above recipe

  2. 4 stars
    What degrees should the oil be at? I have a candy/oil thermometer & would be helpful as to how hot the oil should be. If oil is not hot or cold it may not turn out well.
    Thank you,

  3. I have made these many times and I find that if I let the biscuits come to room temperature after cutting the holes, they cook better and aren’t doughy in the center.

  4. I haven’t tried that before so I’m not sure. If you try it, let us know how it turns out. Thank you!

  5. Thought these were not very good at all, it’s ok wanted to try them and I did….

  6. 5 stars
    We like to use a medicine cup to cut the middle out. It makes a Timbit size donut hole and a perfect shaped donut.

  7. You can also use a soda bottle top to make the holes. Ive been making these for years. But i used the original biscuits, the smaller ones. They turned out great i told my granddaughter that these were the poor mans donuts.