How to Fry Biscuit Dough for Donuts

Experiment with the topping flavors of the homemade donuts.

When you find yourself craving a hot crispy donut, pop open a can of biscuit dough and fry one without even putting on your shoes to leave the house. Top your donuts with any flavor you can concoct, such as peanut butter and jelly or cream cheese and chives. Make homemade fried donuts using biscuit dough a weekend tradition for your family, allowing them a buffet of toppings for a sweet treat that will be entertaining and delicious.

Things You'll Need

• Tube canned biscuits
• 1-inch cookie cutter
• Plastic 2-liter or 20 oz. bottle lid (optional)
• Cast iron skillet
• Vegetable or canola oil
• Candy thermometer
• Wooden skewer
• Tongs
• Paper towel
• Plate

Instructions

Fry the Dough

1. Open a tube of canned biscuits and pull apart each biscuit. Set the biscuits out on a flat surface and press a 1-inch cookie cutter in the center of each biscuit. Remove the center of the biscuits and set these aside; you can fry these balls as well as the donuts. Use a plastic 2-liter or 20 oz. bottle lid in place of the cookie cutter, if necessary.

2. Cover the bottom of a cast iron skillet with vegetable or canola oil so you have at least 2 inches of oil in the pan. Heat the oil on medium-high and use a candy thermometer to note when the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the temperature it must be for frying the dough.

3. Drop two to three biscuit rings into the hot oil so they are not touching one another or the sides of the skillet. Fry the dough for approximately 2 minutes so they are golden brown. Flip the rings with a wooden skewer and fry the other side for the same amount of time. Remove the donuts with a pair of tongs and place these on a paper towel-lined plate.

Tips & Warnings

• The ideal biscuits for these donuts are home style, buttermilk or butter-flavored.

• For a somewhat healthier version, use reduced fat or whole wheat canned biscuits.

• Use smaller biscuits to make miniature donuts.

• Do not substitute flaky or layered canned biscuits or they will absorb too much oil.

References

• Serious Eats; The World's Easiest Homemade Donuts; Maria del Mar Sacasa; Jan 11
• Serious Eats -- Recipes: Easy Homemade Doughnuts; Maria del Mar Sacasa; Jan 11
• Southern Plate; Melt In Your Mouth Doughnuts, Made At Home!;