Mmm, can you smell that? 🤤 These cinnamon sugar donuts are about to make your kitchen smell like pure heaven. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these warm, pillowy-soft donuts with a crisp, crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re the ultimate comfort food 🍩 that will have you feeling all cozy and satisfied. Grab a cold glass of milk and let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
These donuts are the stuff of dreams — light and airy on the inside, with a delightful crispy shell that’s coated in a generous dusting of sweet cinnamon sugar. 😋 The combination of textures is absolute perfection. And the best part? They’re so easy to make, you can enjoy them anytime the craving strikes.
These donuts are perfect for an indulgent breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or even a fun dessert. Pair them with your morning coffee, an icy cold glass of milk, or a hot cup of cocoa for the ultimate cozy experience. And if you love learning more about getting that perfect fluffy texture in homemade baked treats, you might enjoy this yeast dough baking tips guide from King Arthur Baking.
Get ready to fall in love at first bite! 🥰
Key Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
The key to crisp, perfectly cooked donuts is to make sure your oil is at the right temperature. 🌡️ If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked through. And if it’s not hot enough, the donuts will soak up too much oil and end up greasy. Use a thermometer to keep the oil between 350-375°F for best results.
- The #1 Trick for Better Flavor/Texture — To take your cinnamon sugar donuts to the next level, let the dough rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before frying. This helps the gluten relax, resulting in a lighter, fluffier texture. 🥯 It also allows the flavors to develop even more, so each bite is bursting with cinnamon-sugar goodness.
- Biggest Mistake to Avoid — The key to crisp, perfectly cooked donuts is to make sure your oil is at the right temperature. 🌡️ If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked through. And if it’s not hot enough, the donuts will soak up too much oil and end up greasy. Use a thermometer to keep the oil between 350-375°F for best results.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
These warm, cinnamon-sugar dusted donuts are the ultimate treat on their own. But they also pair perfectly with a variety of sides, drinks, and other accoutrements for a truly indulgent experience.
- Vanilla Ice Cream — A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the perfect contrast to the warm, crispy donuts. The cool, creamy texture and sweet flavor is an absolute delight. 🍨
- Fresh Berries — Juicy, colorful berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the rich donuts. 🍓
- Hot Chocolate — Warm, frothy hot cocoa is the ultimate cozy companion to these decadent donuts. The chocolate flavor complements the cinnamon-sugar perfectly. 🍫
- Coffee or Milk — A strong cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk is the classic pairing for these donuts. The bold flavors balance each other out beautifully. ☕️🥛
When to serve it: These donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even a fun dessert. They’re sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face, no matter the occasion. 🎉
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these incredibly delicious cinnamon sugar donuts. 🙌 All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, an egg, and melted butter come together to create the perfect soft and tender donut base. For the coating, you’ll just need more granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. That’s it! Easy peasy.
- 2 cups (250g) — All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) — Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon — Baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon — Salt
- 3/4 cup (180ml) — Milk
- 1 — Large egg
- 4 tablespoons (56g) — Unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) — Granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 teaspoons — Ground cinnamon (for coating)
Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)
- Milk → Buttermilk or plant-based milk (still delicious, promise) ✅
- Cinnamon → Nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice (easy dietary swap) 👍
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Donuts (Step-by-Step)
Making these cinnamon sugar donuts is a total breeze! Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by mixing together the dry ingredients — flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients — milk, egg, and melted butter. 🥣 Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350-375°F. 🔥 Scoop the dough by the heaping tablespoon and carefully lower it into the hot oil. Fry the donuts for 1-2 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Remove the donuts from the oil using a slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate. 🧻 While they’re still warm, toss the donuts in a bowl of cinnamon-sugar mixture until they’re fully coated. Mmm, the sugar will melt into those nooks and crannies for the ultimate crunchy-meets-soft texture. 😋
Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)
Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.
- Bake Instead of Fry — For a healthier option, you can bake the donuts instead of frying. Simply scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden. Then toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture as usual. ✅
- Get that Perfect Circle — To achieve those classic donut rings, use a donut cutter or two different size round cookie cutters to punch out the dough. You can also make mini donut holes by scooping small balls of dough directly into the hot oil. ✅
- Add a Filling — For a fun spin, fill the donuts with your favorite jam or cream cheese frosting before coating them in cinnamon-sugar. 🎉
- Cheat with Store-Bought Dough — In a pinch, you can use store-bought biscuit or donut dough as a quick shortcut. The possibilities are endless! 🚀
Warning: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed. 😅🍴
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are fluffy, sweet, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup milk
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Spoon the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden.
7. While the donuts cool, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
8. Once the donuts have cooled slightly, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
Notes
These donuts are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Feel free to experiment with different toppings or glazes!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Sweet & Salty Mashups 🍰
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Serving & Storage
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Best Serving Ideas | Serve the cinnamon sugar donuts warm, fresh out of the oven or air fryer. They’re delicious on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. 🍽️ |
| Fridge Storage | Store leftover donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cinnamon sugar coating may soften over time, but you can quickly re-crisp them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. 🧊 |
| Freezer Storage | Donuts can be frozen for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, then place in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven or air fryer until warm and crispy. 🥶 |
| Reheating | For a quick reheat, pop the donuts in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Or, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes, until warmed through and crispy. 🔥 |
| Make-Ahead Tips | The donut dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days before frying. This helps develop the flavors even more. 👍 |
Nutrition Notes
These cinnamon sugar donuts are a true indulgence, but in moderation, they can be a delicious part of a balanced diet. 🍩 Each donut contains around 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbs. They also provide a small amount of protein, calcium, and iron. Enjoy these treats as an occasional sweet treat, and be sure to pair them with some fresh fruit, yogurt, or a cup of coffee for a more well-rounded snack or breakfast.
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
Quick Questions People Always Ask
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?
Absolutely! For a healthier option, you can bake the donuts instead of frying. Simply scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden. Then toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture as usual.
How do I get the donuts to have a perfect circle shape?
To achieve those classic donut rings, use a donut cutter or two different size round cookie cutters to punch out the dough. You can also make mini donut holes by scooping small balls of dough directly into the hot oil.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The donut dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to fry. This helps the flavors develop even more. Just be sure to let the chilled dough come up to room temperature before shaping and frying.
What’s the best oil for frying donuts?
For the crispiest, non-greasy donuts, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Avoid olive oil, as it can burn at the high frying temperature.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these donuts gluten-free by using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious!