Who doesn’t love a good donut? Whether you prefer glazed, sprinkled, or filled, these circular treats are a sweet indulgence. But have you ever wondered how to make them at home? And can you use a deep fryer to do it?
The short answer is yes, you can use a deep fryer to make donuts at home. In fact, using a deep fryer is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to make perfectly crispy and delicious donuts in your own kitchen.
But the process isn’t without its challenges and pitfalls. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to make donuts in a deep fryer and share some tips and tricks to ensure your success.
How Can I Deep Fry Donuts?
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Measurement |
|---|---|
| White flour sifted | 4 tablespoons |
| White sugar | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 3 |
| White flour, sifted | 2 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| Fat or shortening | 4-5 cups for deep frying |
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Pour canola or safflower oil into a large pot, filling it to a depth of at least a few inches. Heat the oil to a temperature between 350 and 355 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the doughnuts: While the oil is heating, prepare your doughnuts according to your chosen recipe. For example, sour cream cake doughnuts are mentioned in the tutorial.
- Prepare for frying: Place a tray or baking sheet nearby and line it with several layers of paper towels to absorb excess oil. Prepare your desired coatings in separate bowls, such as cinnamon or powdered sugar.
- Lower the doughnuts into the oil: Using a slotted spoon or spatula, dip it into the hot oil to coat it lightly with oil. Carefully place a doughnut onto the spoon or spatula, lower it into the hot oil, and shake off any excess oil.
- Alternatively, if you’re experienced and cautious, you can slip the doughnut into the oil directly using your fingers, keeping them away from the oil.
- Fry the doughnuts: Cook them for about a minute or two on each side until they turn golden brown. Avoid overcooking, as it may make the doughnuts dry.
- Drain excess oil: Transfer the slotted spoon or spatula to the prepared tray lined with paper towels once the doughnuts are fried. Flip them over so that both sides can drain off any excess oil.
- Coat the doughnuts (optional): You can coat them in your desired toppings while warm. For example, submerge the doughnut in a bowl of cinnamon sugar, ensuring it is fully covered.
- Repeat the process: Continue frying the remaining doughnuts in batches of four or as per your pot’s capacity, following steps 4-7.
- Serve and enjoy: Ideally, serve the doughnuts as close to frying time as possible, preferably within an hour, to ensure they are fresh and delicious.
Remember to exercise caution while working with hot oil and follow any specific instructions provided by your chosen doughnut recipe. Enjoy your homemade doughnuts.
Should I Rest My Donuts Dough?
Ah, donuts. Everyone loves a freshly-baked glazed donut. But baking these delicious treats can be surprisingly tricky – if you’ve ever attempted to make your own, you know it’s all too easy to wind up with a tough, dry dough that’s nearly impossible to roll out and shape into the perfect circle. The secret ingredient? Resting your dough.
After mixing the best quality ingredients into a thick paste-like consistency, let the dough rest for optimal gluten development.
The cooler fermentation temperature does two things: first, it reduces stickiness for easy rolling and shaping; second, this process creates a unique flavor synonymous with delectable donuts.
So if you hope to achieve that golden brown result that melts in your mouth, give your dough at least 8 hours of rest in the fridge overnight for best results. And just like that, you’ll soon have trays of perfectly puffed-up donuts rising in the oven.
What’s the Right Temperature to Fry Donots?
One of the most important elements in deep frying is using the right thermometer. The thermometer is a great choice for deep-frying such items as donuts.
With a thermometer, you can set two alarms – one for high temperature (375°F or 190°C) and one for low temperature (350°F or 177°C). This allows you to set an ideal temperature range to cook the donuts without allowing them to cook too quickly or slowly.
Using the ensures that your doughnuts will be cooked evenly, preventing them from overcooking and creating an attractive, fluffy texture. Additionally, it allows you to more easily monitor the temperature of your oil to avoid any safety hazards that may occur due to overheating.
In addition, you’ll be able to detect air pockets so that your fried items have a crispy uniform texture with golden color on the outside and soft inside. All these factors ensure delicious outcomes every time.
How Long Should I Cook Donuts?
Donuts must cook for about 2 minutes per side, depending on their thickness. Use tongs, chopsticks, or a long fork to flip them, but always be safe. To check if a donut is ready, use a Thermapen and look for a reading of 185–190°F (85–88°C). This is only necessary for the first batch of donuts.
It is important to allow the oil to regain its temperature between batches of donuts. It is advised to be patient and monitor the thermometer.
What Topping Should I Add on My Donuts?
Donuts are a delicious treat but incomplete without some glaze or topping. With so many options available, making your donut unique and even more delicious is easy. The simplest option is to use powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to make a simple glaze.
This can be flavored with cocoa powder for a chocolate frosting or cinnamon for an added flavor punch.
To take things to the next level, you can experiment with tart juice, such as cranberry or sour cherry juice, as a base. These will give your glaze an extra zing, leaving everyone begging for another donut.
You can also add other spices like nutmeg or cardamom to round out the flavor profile. By using these techniques, you are sure to create the perfect donut every time.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Can I Use A Deep Fryer To Make Doughnuts?
Yes, absolutely. A deep fryer is a convenient and efficient tool for frying doughnuts. It provides a controlled temperature and consistent heat distribution, making achieving evenly cooked and golden-brown doughnuts easier.
2. What Temperature Should I Set My Deep Fryer To For Frying Doughnuts?
The recommended temperature for frying doughnuts in a deep fryer is usually between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit (175-190 degrees Celsius). However, referring to your doughnut recipe for precise temperature instructions is essential, as they may vary slightly.
3. What Type Of Oil Should I Use In My Deep Fryer For Doughnuts?
It is best to use oils with a high smoke point and neutral flavor for deep frying doughnuts. Common choices include vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils can withstand the high temperatures required for frying without imparting unwanted flavors to the doughnuts.
4. How Long Should I Fry The Doughnuts In A Deep Fryer?
The cooking time for doughnuts in a deep fryer can vary depending on their size and recipe. Typically, doughnuts take 2-4 minutes per side to achieve a golden brown color and cooked interior.
However, monitoring them closely and adjusting the time accordingly is crucial to avoid overcooking.
5. How Do I Ensure My Doughnuts Turn Out Crispy And Not Greasy When Using A Deep Fryer?
To achieve crispy and non-greasy doughnuts when using a deep fryer, ensure the oil is at the recommended temperature before adding the doughnuts.
Avoid overcrowding the fryer to maintain proper heat distribution. Also, ensure the doughnuts are properly drained on a wire rack or paper towel after frying to remove excess oil.
Conclusion
A deep fryer is an ideal tool for making donuts. The key to achieving crispy and non-greasy donuts is to ensure the oil is at the recommended temperature before adding the doughnuts, avoid overcrowding the fryer, and properly drain them on a wire rack or paper towel after frying.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
