The Best Easy Biscuit Donuts

Learn how to make biscuit donuts in this old-fashioned, fast and incredibly easy homemade donut recipe! If you’re looking for a recipe for easy donuts, these golden brown delicious treats are exactly what you’re craving.

There’s not much sweeter on a weekend morning than waking up to the fragrance of these incredible warm biscuit dough donuts. Yes, these homemade donuts are made of canned biscuits– they couldn’t be easier! 

Tossed in a little cinnamon sugar mixture or a quick and easy homemade icing, these incredibly fast donuts are just the ticket! They are comforting, delicious and oh-so-craveable! 

We are fans of sweet treats for breakfast in our house. The ease of these shortcut donuts reminds me a little of my reader-favorite cinnamon rolls that are made with a secret trick! 

You’ve also got to try one of my most popular recipes ever, meltaway muffins – don’t skip them or these charming Christmas Donuts.

Why You’ll Love these Biscuit Donuts

What could be better than an incredibly easy homemade donut recipe? They are so simple to make that you can do it even if you’re an inexperienced cook! And yet they feel so very decadent and special. 

You don’t even need a deep fryer to fry these donuts! I’m not a huge fan of frying personally – I just don’t love the mess that it makes in my kitchen. However, these donuts are WORTH IT. I promise! 

If you love traditional yeast donuts, you’ll love these too! They are warm, perfectly sweetened by the exterior cinnamon sugar or icing of your choice, and they practically melt in your mouth. What’s more delicious than that? 

Ingredients for Easy Homemade Donuts 

Don’t overthink this one- they truly are so easy. 

• Refrigerated Biscuits – Any brand or style will do! 
• Shortening – Works great for melting down for frying but you can also use vegetable oil.
• Cinnamon Sugar – It’s just so easy to make your own and gives these donuts a little crunch.

How to Make Biscuit Donuts

1. Make Donut Holes – Poke your finger through the center of your biscuits. This is a great job for kids!
2. Heat your shortening or oil to medium high – heat the oil hot, but not too hot. I used 1-2 cups of shortening- the smaller the pan, the less shortening or oil you will need. Place a “test” donut into your oil to check the temperature. 
3. Fry – After placing remaining dough circles in the hot oil, leave them in just until they turn golden, (approximately 30 seconds per side) and then flip using tongs.
4. Dry – Allow to dry for a few seconds on a paper towel lined platter, or place on a cooling rack with paper towels placed below.
5. Toss – While donuts are warm, toss in your cinnamon sugar mixture.  

TIPS for this Recipe for Easy Donuts 

• You’ll know if your oil is too hot if it’s smoking. You want hot oil for frying, but not too hot.
• Be sure to test a single donut first to check the temperature of your oil.
• You can use a donut cutter to cut the hole, or grab something as simple as a lid from a bottle of soda. Get creative- the donut holes that result are worth it! 
• Remember, these aren’t meant to be perfect looking – just delicious! 
• Don’t love cinnamon sugar on your donuts? Read on for lots of fun ideas for how to top these donuts! 

Biscuit Donut Topping Ideas

These can go so far beyond a little dip in your cinnamon and sugar mixture! As you can see, we had fun with some pre-made chocolate icing, too. 

Here’s a few incredibly delicious ways to top these easy homemade donuts: 

• Roll in Powdered Sugar
• Slather a little Nutella on top
• Use any store bought icing if you’d like! Remember, these are fast and easy and meant to be a true no-stress treat! 
• Caramel Icing
• Orange Glaze
• Apple Glaze – so good for summer and fall!  
• Classic Icing Recipe – this recipe was developed for cinnamon rolls but works beautifully here as well.
• Cream Cheese Glaze
• Cinnamon Frosting
• Lemon Icing

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite breakfast treat? Any shortcuts I need to learn about? If you make these deliciously easy homemade donuts, please be sure to leave a comment and rate with my five star review system.