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.

A white plate with three biscuit donuts covered in cinnamon sugar.
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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

A white plate with a biscuit donut covered in cinnamon sugar.

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.

A white plate with a biscuit donut covered in cinnamon sugar.

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! 

Biscuit donuts covered in chocolate icing on a white plate.

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? 

A white plate with three biscuit donuts covered in cinnamon sugar.

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.
2 cans of refrigerated biscuits with a can of shortening for biscuit donuts.

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! A wooden surface with raw biscuit dough ring, hole in the center.
  2. Heat your shortening or oil to medium highheat 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. A pan filled with shortening for melting down and frying an easy homemade donut recipe
  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.A sauce pan filled with oil frying an easy homemade donut. A sauce pan filled with oil frying easy homemade donuts. A sauce pan filled with oil frying easy homemade donuts. A sauce pan filled with oil frying easy homemade donuts. A sauce pan filled with oil frying easy homemade donuts.
  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.A white plate with a white paper towel on top in a lesson on how to make biscuit donuts. A doughnut being picked up with tongs.
  5. Toss – While donuts are warm, toss in your cinnamon sugar mixture.  A ziploc baggie filled with cinnamon sugar.

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 donuts covered in chocolate icing on a white plate.

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: 

A single donut covered in chocolate for a recipe for easy donuts.
Biscuit donuts covered in chocolate icing on a white plate.

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.

A white plate with three biscuit donuts covered in cinnamon sugar.
5 from 10 votes
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The Best Easy Biscuit Donuts

Learn how to make biscuit donuts… an 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.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes
Total: 7 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

  • 1 can biscuits refrigerated
  • 1 cup shortening or vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

Instructions 

  • Heat your shortening or oil to medium high – heat the oil hot, but not too hot.
  • Cut a hole in the center of your biscuits. Place a “test” donut into your oil to check the temperature.
  • After placing remaining dough circles in the hot oil, leave them in just until they turn golden, approximately one minute per side, and then flip using tongs.
  • Dry on a paper towel lined platter, or place on a cooling rack with paper towels placed below.
  • While donuts are warm, toss in your cinnamon sugar mixture.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions and Ingredient Details

  • Shortening – Substitute vegetable oil if needed
  • Cinnamon Sugar – 1/4 cup cinnamon, 1 cup granulated sugar

Tips

  • 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! 

Topping Suggestions

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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5 from 10 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are so yummy! And so super easy to make. The perfect dessert for any night of the week

  2. 5 stars
    I am so excited about this recipe! Homemade donuts that are quick, easy, and can even get the kids involved!