How to Make Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Donuts at Home

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about cinnamon sugar donuts—the warm, buttery dough, the sweet crunch of the coating, and that first cozy bite that takes you right back to simpler times. Whether you’re craving a homemade treat or curious about what makes these donuts so special, you’re in for a mouthwatering journey. Keep reading to discover why this classic favorite never goes out of style.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup granulated sugar for coating
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for coating

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Rolling pin
• Donut cutter or two round cutters
• Heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer
• Slotted spoon
• Cooling rack
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. You’re setting the base for fluffy donuts, so whisk thoroughly to evenly distribute those dry ingredients.
2. Step 2: In a second bowl, beat the egg with the granulated sugar until light in color and slightly airy. This adds structure and sweetness. Stir in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft, sticky dough forms—do not overwork it or the donuts might end up dense.
4. Step 4: Lightly flour your countertop and gently roll the dough to about ½ inch thick. If it sticks, use just a touch more flour on your surface or rolling pin.
5. Step 5: Cut out about 12 donuts using your donut cutter. If you don’t have one, a large and small biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass and a bottle cap will do in a pinch. Re-roll the scraps gently to avoid toughness.
6. Step 6: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. I highly recommend using a thermometer here—it takes out the guesswork.
7. Step 7: Fry the donuts in batches of 2 or 3 at a time, taking care not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until each donut is puffed and golden brown. Adjust heat as needed to maintain oil temperature.
8. Step 8: Use a slotted spoon to carefully lift each donut from the oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined cooling rack to drain excess oil.
9. Step 9: While still slightly warm, toss the donuts in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. The warmth helps the coating cling perfectly.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately or within a few hours for the best texture. They’re especially magical with a mug of coffee or cider.

Description

Warm from the fryer, soft in the center, and cloaked in a sparkling layer of cinnamon sugar, these donuts are like a cozy autumn morning brought straight to your kitchen. Each bite offers a delicate crunch from the sugar topping followed by a pillowy, tender interior bursting with buttery richness. The aroma alone—cinnamon swirling through the air—can transport you to a nostalgic weekend breakfast at home, or a cozy cafe corner with your favorite mug of coffee.

Cinnamon sugar donuts bring the perfect balance of sweet spice and comforting warmth. Whether made for a special brunch gathering or a simple treat to start your day, these homemade donuts feel like a warm hug in edible form. They’re just the right amount of indulgent—decadent yet familiar—and so satisfying when served fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it brings bakery-quality donuts into your own kitchen with surprisingly little fuss. There’s no yeast involved, which means no long rising times—just mix, roll, fry, and coat. The dough is easy to work with and forgiving, and the reward is a dozen light, perfectly golden donuts.

Not only are they irresistibly good, but you can also tweak the sweetness or use the dough for donut holes. They’re great for making ahead if you want a quick fry in the morning and freeze beautifully if you want to save some for later. Fresh, warm, and totally irresistible.

Serving and Storage Tips

Cinnamon sugar donuts are best enjoyed warm and fresh on the same day they’re made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To reheat, pop them in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave for about 10 seconds.

For longer storage, allow the donuts to cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Reheat from frozen in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. If making ahead, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight before frying in the morning for a fresh treat.

Nutrition per serving

For a fun twist, add a pinch of nutmeg to the batter or swap some of the cinnamon for pumpkin spice during fall. Donut holes can also be made using the centers for bite-sized treats.

FAQ

We hope you enjoyed this article about cinnamon sugar donuts! Let us know what you think in the comments — we love hearing from you. If you found this helpful or inspiring, please pin the article or any image from it on Pinterest, and don’t forget to like the pin! Your support means a lot and helps us create even more amazing content!

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Warm, pillowy homemade cinnamon sugar donuts with a delicate crunch from their sugary coating. Cozy and decadent, these bakery-quality donuts are surprisingly easy to make at home—no yeast required. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special morning treat, they are sure to be a hit!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 donuts

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup granulated sugar for coating
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for coating

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
• Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness.
• Use a donut cutter to cut out about 12 donuts, re-rolling scraps as needed.
• Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fry the donuts in batches for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and puffed.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined rack to drain.
• While still warm, toss each donut in a mixture of 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon until well coated.
• Serve warm and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSodium: 210mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14g

Keyword cinnamon sugar donuts, homemade donuts, fried donuts, easy donuts, breakfast

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!