Mini Doughnuts

If you like simple sweets that impress everyone, these Mini Doughnuts will become your new favorite. The inspiration for this recipe came from a rainy afternoon indoors with my family. We craved the warmth and fun of a classic doughnut, but wanted something quick that we could all help make.

These Mini Doughnuts are easy, no fancy equipment, just whisk, fry, and toss in sugar. The dough is lightly scented with vanilla and cooks up golden every time. Perfect for cozy nights, parties, or any moment when you need a little pick-me-up. Whether you serve them plain or with chocolate, every bite feels like a bite-sized trip to the fair. Watch them disappear as soon as they hit the table, your kitchen will smell amazing, and your loved ones will ask for seconds!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Mini Doughnuts

Listen, these Mini Doughnuts are absolute game-changers. Here’s why they’ve become my most-requested recipe:

• Quick fix: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes when that sugar craving hits hard
• Foolproof: No fancy skills needed – just mix, fry, and coat (my 8-year-old nephew can make them!)
• Customizable: Roll them in cinnamon sugar one day, dunk them in chocolate the next – the possibilities are endless
• Crowd-pleasers: I bring them to every potluck and watch them vanish before the main course
• Nostalgia bombs: That first bite takes me straight back to childhood fairgrounds every single time

Ingredients for Mini Doughnuts

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun here, and trust me, you probably have most of this in your pantry already! Here’s what you’ll need to make magic happen:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled – no packing!)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (I sometimes use vanilla sugar for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (make sure it’s fresh!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
• 1/2 cup milk (whole milk makes them extra tender, but any works)
• 1 large egg (room temperature is best)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (cooled slightly – don’t cook your eggs!)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff – no imitation here)
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil works great)

Fun coating options: Mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, or go classic with powdered sugar. Feeling fancy? Melt some chocolate chips with a splash of cream for dipping!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry, you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these mini doughnuts! Just grab:

• A deep pot or fryer (my trusty 3-quart saucepan works perfectly)
• Mini doughnut pan or piping bag (a ziplock with the corner snipped off in a pinch!)
• Whisk (or even just a fork if you’re feeling lazy)
• Paper towels (for draining – I always use two layers)

That’s it! Now let’s get frying.

How to Make Mini Doughnuts

Okay, let’s get to the good part! Making these mini doughnuts is so simple you’ll wonder why you ever bought them from a store. Just follow these steps and you’ll be snacking on golden, sugary perfection in no time.

Preparing the Batter

First things first – we’re making the easiest batter ever. In one bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Now here’s the key – pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until combined. A few lumps are totally fine! Overmixing makes tough doughnuts, and we want these babies light as clouds.

Frying the Mini Doughnuts

Heat about 2 inches of oil in your deep pot to 350°F – use a thermometer if you have one. No thermometer? Test with a tiny bit of batter – it should sizzle and float immediately. Now, carefully pipe or spoon small circles of batter (about 1-inch wide) into the oil. Don’t overcrowd the pot! Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until they’re that perfect golden brown. Watch them puff up – it’s like magic happening right in your kitchen!

Coating and Serving

Use a slotted spoon to transfer your golden beauties to paper towels to drain for just a minute – but don’t wait too long to coat them! While still warm, toss them in cinnamon sugar (my fave!), powdered sugar, or dip them in chocolate glaze. Pro tip: have your coatings ready in shallow bowls before you start frying. Serve them warm and watch smiles appear – I guarantee they won’t last long!

Tips for Perfect Mini Doughnuts

After making hundreds of these Mini Doughnuts (okay, maybe thousands, I might have a problem), I’ve learned all the tricks for mini doughnut perfection.

• First, keep that oil between 350-375°F, too hot and they’ll burn, too cool and they’ll soak up oil.
• Test one doughnut first to check your timing.
• And here’s my secret: let the batter rest for 5 minutes before frying, it gives the flour time to hydrate for extra fluffy results. Oh, and always fry in small batches unless you want doughnuts sticking together like best friends!

Variations for Mini Doughnuts

Oh, the fun you can have with these little guys! Sometimes I zest an orange right into the batter for a bright citrus kick, perfect with a chocolate glaze. Or try stuffing them with a dollop of jam before frying (raspberry is heavenly). Feeling adventurous? Swap half the flour for cocoa powder and roll them in crushed nuts for chocolate-lover’s bliss. My neighbor swears by adding a pinch of cardamom to the cinnamon sugar coating – suddenly you’ve got “grown-up” doughnuts worthy of brunch!

Serving Suggestions

These mini doughnuts scream “eat me warm!” – that’s when the texture is absolute perfection. I love serving them with strong black coffee for dunking, or ice-cold milk for the kids. For weekend brunch, pile them high with fresh berries – the tartness cuts through the sweetness beautifully. Just promise me you’ll eat at least one straight from the fryer – hot, crisp, and sugary is life-changing!

Storage and Reheating

Okay, let’s be real, these mini doughnuts rarely last long enough to store! But if you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), tuck them into an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. To bring back that just-fried magic, pop them in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 2-3 minutes – they’ll crisp right up like new. Just don’t coat them in sugar until after reheating, or you’ll have a sticky situation on your hands!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on these little treats:

Each mini doughnut runs about 200 calories, with 10g fat (3g saturated), 25g carbs, and 3g protein. Remember, these numbers can change based on your oil absorption and toppings. I like to think of them as happiness calories – totally worth every bite! Just don’t ask me how many I’ve eaten in one sitting…

Mini Doughnuts FAQs

More Sweet Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings

• Caramel Cheesecake Cookies
• Gummy Glazed Donuts
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
• Apple Pie Biscuits

Enjoy exploring even more simple, crowd-pleasing treats.

Why These Mini Doughnuts Are a Must-Try

These Mini Doughnuts are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. The easy recipe guarantees a light, golden exterior and fluffy center with every batch. The vanilla-scented batter brings delicious carnival vibes right to your kitchen, and you can enjoy them with simple sugar coating or your favorite glaze. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, you’ll find they turn out irresistibly soft and rewarding every time.​

Try making these Mini Doughnuts today and watch them disappear at your next cozy night in or celebration. Share your results and tips in the comments, and if you post a photo, tag along on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Every bite is a tiny celebration, so bake, share, and spread a little happiness!

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