There is something irresistible about freshly fried twisted doughnuts. With their golden, crisp exterior and soft, fluffy center, these homemade treats are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee and make a wonderful snack for family and friends.
This simple recipe uses an enriched yeast dough that is easy to prepare and can be shaped into beautiful twists before frying.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil, for frying
For the Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
You can also dust the finished doughnuts with powdered sugar or drizzle them with melted chocolate.
How to Make Twisted Doughnuts
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
Add the warm milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough begins to form.
Knead the dough for approximately 8–10 minutes, either by hand or using a stand mixer, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
If the dough feels too sticky, add a little flour at a time. Avoid adding too much flour because this can make the doughnuts dense.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Leave it in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
3. Shape the Twists
Transfer the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide it into approximately 10–12 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a long rope. Fold the rope in half and twist the two sides around each other, then gently pinch the ends together.
Place the shaped doughnuts on a lightly floured tray and allow them to rest for another 15–20 minutes.
4. Fry the Doughnuts
Heat oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
The oil should be hot enough to cook the doughnuts steadily without burning the outside before the center is cooked.
Carefully place a few doughnuts into the oil at a time. Fry until they become beautifully golden brown, turning them occasionally for even cooking.
Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Add the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
While the doughnuts are still warm, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Roll each doughnut in the mixture until lightly coated.
Tips for Perfect Twisted Doughnuts
Don’t make the dough too firm. A soft dough produces lighter and fluffier doughnuts.
Give the dough enough time to rise. Proper fermentation helps create a soft interior.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Frying too many at once can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy doughnuts.
Keep the oil at a moderate temperature. If the oil is too hot, the outside will brown quickly while the inside remains undercooked.
Serve them fresh. Twisted doughnuts are at their best while warm and freshly coated.
Easy Variations
For a chocolate version, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled doughnuts.
For a glazed version, mix powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over the doughnuts.
For a cardamom flavor, add ½ teaspoon ground cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar coating.
Final Thoughts
These homemade twisted doughnuts are soft, golden, and wonderfully aromatic. The twisting technique gives them an attractive bakery-style appearance while keeping the recipe simple enough to make in your own kitchen.
Serve them warm alongside tea or coffee, and they are sure to disappear quickly.