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Easy biscuit donuts are our favorite morning treat! You won’t believe how good fried biscuits are – especially when tossed in cinnamon and sugar or dipped in a simple glaze.
Raise your hand if you grew up eating homemade donuts that came from a can of refrigerated biscuit dough!
And if you didn’t live that childhood, I am so sorry, my friend. Let me show you the ways…
This sounds crazy, but when you fry a biscuit, it somehow magically turns into a donut.
And not just any donut. Like a GOOD donut.
Honestly, I rank these up there in my top 3 donuts, and that’s saying something because have you seen all of the donut recipes I’ve shared over the years?
How to make donuts with biscuits:
Use a donut cutter or the cap from a 20 ounce soda/water bottle to cut a hole out of each biscuit.
Heat a pot of oil to 350 degrees and add the donuts to the oil. Fry until golden on each side.
Toss in cinnamon and sugar, dunk in a classic vanilla glaze, top with a simple chocolate glaze, or go all out and dunk them in my mama’s famous chocolate frosting.
How to Air Fry:
Not interested in heating up a pot of grease and dealing with hot oil?
I get it.
Turn them into air fryer donuts! You won’t believe how simple and quick it – and honestly they’re just as good as the deep fried version.
Donut Toppings:
Vanilla Glaze: This classic glaze is, well, classic! For a reason! Just whisk together 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until smooth.
Chocolate Glaze: Mix together 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth.
Cinnamon & Sugar: Whisk together 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. The cinnamon sugar mixture sticks best when the donuts are still warm, so toss them in this mixture as soon as you’re able.
Powdered Sugar: Place 1 cup of powdered sugar in a brown paper bag. Once donuts are cool enough to handle, add them to the bag one or two at a time and shake until fully coated in the powdered sugar. If the powdered sugar is melting, your donuts are too hot. Cool longer and try tossing them again.
What Readers are Saying!
“Just made and ate two. They are excellent. Hubs says ” I didn’t know you could do that with canned biscuits”. Me either but now we know!! Off to fight over the fifth and final one.” – Diana
More Donut Recipes To Try:
Canned Biscuit Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 package 8-count refrigerated biscuits
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or more, to taste
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a large, deep skillet or deep fryer to 350 degrees.
- Using a donut cutter (or the cap from a 2 liter soda bottle), cut the center from each biscuit.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
- Place a few donuts in the pan of hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. Fry until golden brown on one side, about 1-2 minutes, and then flip and fry until gold brown on the other side.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with the remaining donuts.
- Shake each hot donut in the sugar and cinnamon mixture to coat.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This post was originall published in November 2011. It’s been updated with new text and photos.
Bobbi Gavit says
My grand girls were impressed! Thumbs up!
Karly says
So glad you gave them a try! 🙂
Paula says
The instructions say to heat 3 tablespoons of oil for frying. Is that correct?
Karly says
Whoops, no! It should be 3 inches of oil in a pot. 🙂 I’ll fix that.
John Doe says
I loved this recipe so much
Hazel Jennings says
It is so easy.
Karly says
Right? We love it! 🙂
Lisa Mills says
I have been making these for over 40 years! When I first starting making these, I didn’t have a donut cutter, so I simple made a hole in the center of the donut and gently stretched the dough to make a donut. Sugar and cinnamon are the best!
Karly says
We agree – cinnamon and sugar is the way to go! 🙂 Good tip on the donut hole.
Nay says
These are the only doughnuts I ever had growing up. My mom would sometimes just “tear” a hole in the middle – no leftover dough! Love your website – especially when it brings back memories.
Karly says
Thanks, Nay! Great tip to just tear a hole in the center!
Phyllis Winstead says
WoW!
This is a minor miracle! There’s no refrigerating any dough, dirtying of countertops and above NO sticking of anything or ON anything. Thank you a thousand times. Phyllis
Diana says
Just made and ate two. They are excellent. Hubs says ” I didn’t know you could do that with canned biscuits”. Me either but now we know!! Off to fight over the fifth and final one.
Karly says
Haha! Glad they were a hit!
Sue says
They can be made in an air fryer and are just as good, not to mention healthier.
Gabrielle says
Actually I tried with the air fryer for a party and no one liked it.?
Karly says
Hi Gabrielle! If you check the link for the air fryer version you’ll see the ‘secret’ to getting them to taste like donuts in the air fryer. You can’t just air fry them and go or they’ll be bisciuts. 🙂
Kristi says
Can you fry these in an air fryer? Is that a dumb question?? ?
Karly says
You definitely can put them in an air fryer, but they’ll mostly just taste baked biscuits that have been tossed in cinnamon/sugar. People do it, but I don’t think they taste much like donuts. 🙂
UPDATE: Check out the link above to the air fryer version – we cracked the code on turning biscuits into donuts using the air fryer!
Kristi says
Can you do these in an air fryer? Is that a dumb question? ?
Cyndy says
I have been making these for over 40 years. I found the kids liked the donuts holes better so I would take one biscuits and cut it into 1/4 or 1/3. I also make powdered sugar icing instead of cinnamon sugar. We still love them.
leigh says
I leave as is- I dont cut out the hole- then I pipe in custard and dip them in chocolate–its the best
Blair says
I have a question about the oil for frying. What type of oil do you recommend? Coconut, vegetable, peanut?
I can’t wait to try them, and I’m new to frying!
Xoxo
Karly says
I normally use vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for deep frying. 🙂
joannew says
after frying them can you freeze them?
Karly says
I’ve never tried, so I can’t say how they’d turn out.