Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super quick and easy—ready in under 30 minutes
- No yeast or rising time needed
- Uses convenient canned biscuit dough
- Golden, crispy outside with a soft, fluffy center
- Customizable with your favorite toppings or glazes
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- Fun to make with kids
- Delicious homemade taste without the fuss
- Can also make donut holes from the centers
- Perfect for sharing or special occasions
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Canned biscuit dough (regular, not flaky or layered)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar
- Optional: powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze
Directions
- Pour oil into a deep skillet or saucepan to about 1–2 inches deep. Heat over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Separate the biscuit dough and use a small cutter or bottle cap to cut out the centers of each biscuit to form donut shapes. Save the centers for donut holes.
- Carefully place a few donuts at a time into the hot oil, frying for about 1–2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- While still warm, roll the donuts in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar.
- If using glaze, whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a drop of vanilla extract. Dip the donuts into the glaze and let set on a rack.
- Serve warm for best taste.
Servings and timing
Serves: 8 (based on one standard can of biscuits)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Make chocolate glaze by adding cocoa powder to powdered sugar glaze
- Add sprinkles on top of glazed donuts for fun color
- Use pumpkin spice sugar instead of cinnamon sugar in the fall
- Stuff donuts with jam or Nutella before frying for a filled version
- Dip in maple glaze and top with crumbled bacon for a savory-sweet twist
- Use buttermilk biscuit dough for extra flavor
Storage/Reheating
Biscuit donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore warmth and slight crispiness.
FAQs
What kind of biscuit dough should I use?
Regular canned biscuit dough works best—avoid flaky or layered varieties, as they may separate during frying.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Frying gives the best texture, but you can bake them at 375°F for about 10–12 minutes. The texture will be more like a soft roll than a traditional donut.
How do I know when the oil is ready?
The oil should reach 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop in a small piece of dough—it should sizzle and rise to the top quickly.
Can I use an air fryer?
Yes. Air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden. Brush with butter and coat in sugar after cooking.
What oil is best for frying donuts?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
How do I keep the donuts from absorbing too much oil?
Make sure the oil is at the right temperature before frying. Too low and the donuts will soak up oil; too high and they’ll burn outside before cooking through.
Can I freeze biscuit donuts?
They’re not ideal for freezing once cooked, but you can freeze the raw dough circles and fry from frozen—just add a minute or two to the cook time.
Do I have to make a glaze?
No, they’re delicious rolled in sugar or cinnamon sugar. Glaze is optional for added sweetness.
Can I use homemade biscuit dough?
Yes, if you prefer scratch dough, you can roll and cut it the same way before frying.
Can I make mini donuts?
Yes, cut smaller circles or just fry the centers for delicious donut holes.
Conclusion
Biscuit Donuts are the ultimate shortcut to homemade donuts—crispy, sweet, and endlessly customizable. With just a can of biscuit dough and a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of fresh, warm donuts that are perfect for any time of day. Whether coated in cinnamon sugar or dipped in glaze, these quick treats bring all the joy of classic donuts without the hassle.
PrintBiscuit Donuts
Biscuit Donuts are an easy, quick-fry treat made from canned biscuit dough. Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, these donuts are rolled in sugar or dipped in glaze for a warm, bakery-style snack at home—no yeast or rising required.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (regular, not flaky)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar
- Optional glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour oil into a deep skillet or saucepan, about 1–2 inches deep. Heat over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Separate biscuit dough and cut out centers using a small cutter or bottle cap. Reserve centers for donut holes.
- Carefully place a few donuts into the hot oil. Fry for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- While warm, roll in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar.
- Optional glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Dip donuts and place on a rack to set.
- Serve warm for best taste.
Notes
- Use regular biscuit dough—avoid flaky or layered types.
- Keep oil temperature at 350°F to prevent greasy or undercooked donuts.
- Try donut holes using the cut-out centers—fry for about 1 minute each.
- Air fryer option: 350°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway, then roll in sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg