12 Doughnut recipes and ideas

What makes a great donut?

A soft, fresh inside and a firm, slightly crispy exterior are the foundation of a great donut. Delicious combinations that bring together unique flavors such as cornbread and cranberry, maple and bacon or lemon cream help make a donut unforgettable. Additionally, a donut should have properly rested dough, so patience is key to crafting your own homemade donuts.With the help of your KitchenAid® stand mixer, you can easily create unique batters and glazes to bring your creative donut inspirations to life.

1. Apple cider doughnuts

Another fall-inspired donut recipe that can be enjoyed year-round, these apple cider doughnuts can be easily combined in your KitchenAid® stand mixer before being dipped in a warm, decadent glaze.

2. Galaxy doughnuts

Get ready to blast off with these sweet, uniquely frosted doughnuts. Mix them up in your KitchenAid® stand mixer with the flat beater accessory and bake them in your oven. You can even make the homemade space-inspired frosting in your stand mixer and have these ready to serve in no time.

3. Strawberry doughnuts

For a homemade spin on a classic doughnut recipe, these strawberry doughnuts will become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Whip up the delicious glaze with fresh strawberries and your KitchenAid® hand blender and serve them alongside the perfect cup of coffee.

4. Vegan glazed doughnuts

Created with homemade vegan buttermilk, these vegan glazed doughnuts are the vegan-friendly treat you have been looking for. With the help of your KitchenAid® stand mixer, you can enjoy fresh, vegan doughnuts right in your kitchen. For another vegan-friendly breakfast recipe to serve alongside them, give these pancakes a try.

5. Black pepper doughnuts

These black pepper doughnuts are a creative take on the doughnut that intersect sweet and savory in a delicious, unique confection. Filled with a smooth blackberry jam and topped with sugar, these black pepper doughnuts are a creative play on flavor profiles.

6. Rum-glazed doughnuts with toffee crunch

With a soft, buttery inside and the perfect amount of crunch on top, these doughnuts combine the smooth flavor of a rum-glaze with the decadent taste of toffee. Use your KitchenAid® stand mixer to whip up this delicious confection for your next breakfast, brunch or dessert.

7. Mini vegan pumpkin-glazed doughnuts

Another vegan-friendly baking recipe, these mini vegan pumpkin-glazed doughnuts bring your favorite fall flavors together no matter the time of year. Make this recipe your own by topping the doughnuts with flaky sea salt, hazelnuts or pecans.

8. Roasted banana chocolate sprinkle baked doughnuts

Mixed up in your KitchenAid® stand mixer and baked in the oven, these roasted banana chocolate sprinkle doughnuts are like a warm banana split.

9. Brown butter vanilla bean mini doughnuts

Give these brown butter vanilla bean mini doughnuts a try if you want a miniature treat on your dessert table or alongside your breakfast spread. Combining deliciously sweet flavors in your KitchenAid® stand mixer, these doughnuts are easily baked in your oven.

10. Cornbread doughnuts with cranberry glaze and pecans

Topped with a delicious cranberry glaze, these doughnuts are a lovely addition to a fall-inspired meal. Experiment with different toppings to make these unique cornbread doughnuts your own.

11. Buttermilk old fashioned donuts

With a moist and soft inside and a deliciously glazed outside, these fried donuts are simple to make with your KitchenAid® stand mixer.

12. Lemon-scented strawberry jelly donuts

A delicious combination of lemon and strawberry make these jelly donuts a sweet dessert for any time of day. Use your KitchenAid® food processor to prepare the donut dough and then fry them right on your cooktop or range.

What is a donut dough made of?

Donut dough is typically made of butter, sugar and flour, although there are many varieties such as cake donuts and yeast donuts. Vegan-friendly donut variations will include butter substitutes such as applesauce or dairy-free yogurts, while gluten-free donut options will include different gluten-free flour options such as almond flour.

What tools do you need to make donuts?

Making donuts at home is a simple and fun process. Donuts can be mixed in a stand mixer with a flat beater attachment. Some recipes call for the use of a food processor.

They can be baked in the oven, deep fried, fried in oil on the stovetop and some recipes can even be made in the air fryer. If you are baking donuts, you will also want a donut pan.

Should donuts be baked or fried?

Donuts can be baked or fried. The cooking style will depend on the recipe and the type of dough. Fried donuts are typically made with yeast recipes, while baked donuts are often made with cake batter recipes.

How do you fry donuts without a deep fryer?

If you don’t have a deep fryer or don’t want to use it, donuts can be fried in a saucepan on the stovetop with some oil or in the air fryer. Keep your oil between 350° F and 360° F if you are frying on the stovetop. If you are air-frying your donuts, you can air fry them at 350° F, flipping them halfway through, and cooking them until they are golden brown. Note that the air frying method won’t work for more liquid batters.