Are you looking for an easy doughnut recipe you can make at home? This easy semi-homemade Biscuit Donuts recipe only takes one main ingredient!
Biscuit Donuts
I am so amazed at how easy these doughnuts are to make. I never thought you could take Grands Biscuits and turn them into doughnuts. It is probably a good thing I did not know this because this is a dangerous recipe for my healthy eating plan.
We also made doughnut holes with the biscuit dough. They cooked up quickly and were fun to make. I will be making this recipe again when we have overnight guests. It is so crazy easy to make, and I love sharing it with loved ones who could also enjoy an impossibly easy and versatile donut recipe.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making epic Biscuit Donuts! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Refrigerator Biscuits, we used buttermilk biscuits
- Oil for Frying
Toppings
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
Equipment Needed
- Shot Glass/Cookie Cutter/Water Bottle Lid
- Paper Towels
- Plate
- Wooden Skewers or a Spider Strainer
- 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
- Small bowl
Optional - Cooling Rack
How to Make Biscuit Donuts
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
1. We used a shot glass to take out the center of each biscuit for the doughnut hole. I thought this made the doughnuts a little too small around.
I used the lid from my water bottle that I washed and it worked perfectly. You could also use a small round cookie cutter.
2. place the doughnuts into hot vegetable oil deep frying until they turn golden brown. I had to watch how hot the oil was after my first couple of doughnuts. They started to turn brown really quickly and still be soft on the inside.
3. I sprinkled the cinnamon-sugar mixture on the doughnuts and served them hot. They also tasted great with powdered sugar on them.
I didn't have any issues with the cinnamon sugar sticking but you can always brush a bit of melted butter on the doughnuts if the cinnamon sugar mixture isn't sticking to them.
Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to help soak up any extra oil that may come off of them.
You can make donuts holes with the small holes in the center of the biscuits. Just watch to make sure they don't overcook.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: For the make-ahead version of these Biscuit Donuts, prepare the dough the day before, refrigerate it in an airtight container overnight, and bake them the next day.
Storage: Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container or Ziploc bag to preserve their texture and keep them from becoming stale; they don’t need refrigeration since they don’t contain dairy. Enjoy within two days.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Unbaked Biscuit Donut dough and baked leftovers freeze well for up to three months when stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Insert a piece of parchment paper between leftover donuts before freezing them so they don’t stick together.
How to Reheat: Reheat leftover Biscuit Donuts in the microwave for about ten seconds; you want to warm them up but not overcook them. Thaw any frozen donuts at room temperature before microwaving.
Recipe Variations
We also have an air fryer donuts recipe that works great. Air fryer biscuit donuts do not use oil.
Substitutions: What refrigerator biscuits to use depends on what you like.
We have used layered, butter, and regular biscuits, but the flavors will change. For example, we mistakenly bought canned butter biscuits and enjoyed them the last time we made them. The butter flavor added a great flavor to the doughnuts.
I normally pick up Pillsbury Grands biscuits but you can make these with other brands.
A quick chocolate glaze works great for topping these doughnuts. You can also use store bought frosting and sprinkles for a fun treat.
Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian-friendly!
Vegan Option: A few Pillsbury Grands varieties are vegan-safe. Check out I Am Going Vegan’s guide to vegan biscuit brands for more information on your options.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free canned biscuit variety to make gluten-free Biscuit Donuts. Pillsbury does not make gluten-free canned biscuits.
Smaller Serving Size: We use one package of refrigerator biscuits to make eight servings of Biscuit Donuts. Scale the recipe up or down, depending on your desired yield.
Make it Spicy: Pumpkin pie spice would be a great addition to the cinnamon sugar mixture if you want a warmly spiced donut.
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 2 grams of sugar but varies depending on how much sugar you use to coat the donuts. Use a sugar-free alternative to make it sugar-free.
Tips for the Best Biscuit Donuts
- Wooden Skewers or a Spider Strainer work great to remove the hot doughnuts from the oil.
- The doughnuts will be incredibly hot when you remove them from the oil. If your kids help you make these biscuit doughnuts, we suggest putting them in a paper bag to shake to add the cinnamon-sugar coating while protecting their hands from the hot donuts.
- Make sure to watch the temperature of the oil. The longer it goes, the hotter it gets, so you will want to turn it down after the first couple of doughnuts.
- You can also make an easy powdered sugar glaze or icing to top these. Kids will have a great time decorating them with sprinkles.
- The doughnut middles make great doughnut holes. They are my favorite part.
What to Serve with Biscuit Donuts
Serve these one-ingredient Biscuit Donuts anytime you crave a minimal, easy-to-make version of everyone’s favorite doughy breakfast treat. Here are some menu pairing suggestions.
Sides: 2 Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups, 3 Ingredient Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls, Sausage Breakfast Biscuit Cups, Bacon Gravy, Easy Homemade Banana Bread, Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Main Dishes: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Eggs in a Basket, Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole, CrockPot Breakfast Casserole, Sausage Biscuit & Gravy Casserole, CrockPot Ham & Cheese Grits, CrockPot Carrot Cake Oatmeal, CrockPot Egg McMuffin
Drinks: Coffee Coolatta, CopyCat Chick fil A Frosted Coffee, CrockPot Caramel Latte, CrockPot Pumpkin Spice Latte, CrockPot Mexican Hot Chocolate, CopyCat Starbucks Frappuccino, Eggnog Coffee
When to Serve
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Coffee or Tea Snack
Easy Brunch Recipes
We hope you love these biscuit donuts and they make your breakfast/brunch/late night or any time of the day just a little sweeter. So cheesy but so true! LOL!
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How to make Biscuit Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 package Refrigerator Biscuits
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut a circle into the middle of the doughnut. Shot glasses or water bottle lids work great.
- Place the doughnuts into hot oil until they turn golden brown.
- I had to watch how hot the oil was after my first couple of doughnuts. They started to turn brown really quickly and still be soft on the inside
- I sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on the doughnuts and served them hot. They also tasted great with powdered sugar on them.
Kitchen Tools
- 10 inch Cast Iron Skillet
- Spider Strainer
Nutrition
Originally posted on September 12, 2012. Updated September 2020
Cora
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Diana Mendez-Lucio
I make these with tortilla dough!! Roll them out make hole in center they are a little flatter but are sooo good!
laura
The gas station I worked at had a bakery and the owner made them everyday (delish) and he told me about doing them with these in college. I tried once..pretty good.
I baked a biscuit with cinnamon/sugar and it was similar!
Shea Balentine
My family made these all the time when I was growing up... mother, grandmother, aunts.. always a treat! We would cover some with powered sugar. The others we would drizzle with leftover chocolate gravy from breakfast! =)