These Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts are an incredibly easy shortcut way to enjoy donuts anytime that craving hits! Using canned biscuits, these donuts are deep fried and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar combination!
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If you love donuts as much as my family does, also be sure to try my Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts! Same great flavor as this biscuit version, just made homemade, from scratch!
Biscuit Donuts
These canned biscuit donuts are an old fashioned recipe that has been around for many generations. Some people change them up to add a glaze, others make donuts holes and insert a fresh jam filling, and then of course, there is this classic, tried and true cinnamon sugar version!
These donuts are fried to golden perfection and are perfectly soft and fluffy on the inside! Of course, as with most donuts, these are best enjoyed fresh and still warm, but also can make a great treat reheated in the microwave.
Whether fried in a skillet, or baked in your air fryer (see instructions below), these quick and easy donuts come together with only 4 ingredients!
Ingredients Needed to make Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amount and step by step directions.
- Biscuits– you’ll use canned biscuit dough for this recipe, my favorite is Pillsbury Grands Flakey Layers, however, you can also use Southern Home-style
- Cinnamon– ground cinnamon
- Sugar– granulated white sugar
- Oil– canola or vegetable oil works best
Variations
- Powdered Sugar in place of the cinnamon sugar coating
- Drizzling chocolate, white, vanilla, or cream cheese frosting on top.
- Making a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top.
- Using honey butter biscuits in lieu of the grands or flaky Southern home-style biscuits
How to make Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts
- In the bottom of a large skillet, add enough oil to fill pan about an inch deep. Set aside.
- In a small bowl mix together your sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Unwrap biscuits from tube and on a large cutting board, use a melon-baller or spoon to cut out a circle from the center of each biscuit.
- Heat oil in the skillet on your stove top to medium-high heat. When oil is ready, you will see ripples in the bottom of the oil.
- Carefully drop the donut rounds into the oil, frying four at a time. After about 2 minutes or when the donuts are golden brown on the bottom, turn them over with a fork or tongs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until browned on that side, too.
- As soon as you remove donuts from the oil, drop each one into the cinnamon-sugar and evenly coat on all sides. Set aside on a separate serving plate.
- Repeat the steps above for the remaining donuts and donut holes. Serve donuts while still warm. ENJOY!!
Tips for the best canned biscuit donuts
- Although canola oil or peanut oil work for this recipe, I recommend vegetable oil.
- Test the temperature by adding a donut hole into the oil once heated. You want to ensure your oil isn’t too hot as it will quickly cook the donut on the outside, but the inside will still be gooey.
- If you don’t want to use the cinnamon sugar coating, you can also drizzle chocolate or vanilla frosting on top. Cream cheese frosting is a great addition too.
- These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, however, if you have leftovers, they can be reheated in the microwave.
- To make donuts holes, you can use the following: Apple Corer, Milk Jug, Bottle Cap, or Spice Jar lid.
How to store leftover Pillsbury biscuit donuts
As I mentioned about, these donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm, however, they are great reheated as well! Follow these simple storage tips to ensure freshness!
- Room Temperature– allow to fully cool and place in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator– place in an airtight container or bag for up to 4 days.
- Freezer– place donuts in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw before enjoying.
- To reheat– place donuts in microwave and heat until desired temperature is reached, typically 30 second increments works great.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of canned biscuit is best for these Pillsbury Biscuit Donuts?
Pretty much any version you buy will work, but we love the flaky, fluffy texture that the Pillsbury Grands offer. Either the flaky layered ones, the Southern home-style, or classic version. Of course, you can also use flavored versions or any type you find on sale. I will disclose, I have tried a few different off brands and don’t seem to have the best luck with end result. If you can, stick with Pillsbury brand.
How do I know my oil is ready for frying?
Use the wooden spoon trick. When the oil is fragrant and you think its ready, dip a clean wooden spoon in the oil. If it starts to slowly bubble around the spoon, it is ready. If it immediately bubbles rapidly, then the oil is too hot. Remember, you don’t want the oil too hot as it will cook the outside of the donuts too quickly.
How can I make these biscuit donuts in the air fryer?
Although it won’t be the same texture, the air fryer is a great alternative to cooking these donuts so you don’t have to use oil. To make Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts, add the biscuit doughnuts to a cookie sheet or your Air Fryer basket. Bake the donuts at 375F for 10-12 minutes or Air Fry for 5-7 minutes. When the donuts are done, coat them with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. You’ll need to use the melted butter to get the cinnamon sugar coating to stick to your air fryer donuts.
Can you reheat donuts in an air fryer?
Yes, you can instead of using a microwave. The air fryer will warm them without making them soggy. Set the temp of your air fryer to 350 degrees F and heat your donuts for 2-3 minutes.
More Donut recipes to try
Coffee Cake Donuts– tender, moist Cinnamon Coffee Cake Donuts with a chunky cinnamon streusel and sweet cinnamon glaze. This baked cinnamon donut recipe is perfect for a weekend or weekday breakfast!
Apple Cider Donuts– cakey, dense, and intensely flavored. Baked, not fried, these fall treats come together quickly and easily – a convenient recipe with no mixer required.
Baked Chocolate Crumb Donuts– these make such an indulgent breakfast or brunch treat! These are moist and tender, with tons of deep chocolate flavor.
Copycat Starbuck’s Devils Food Donuts– an at home, easy version of the coffee shop favorite! Tasting even better than the original, why go out when you can make these for a fraction of the cost at home?!?!
Caramel Apple Cider Donuts– these baked apple cider donuts are put over the top with a homemade apple cider salted caramel which you can dip the donuts in.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts– the ultimate Fall treat! Baked, not fried, these donuts are ready in less than 30 minutes. If you love pumpkin and coffee cake, you have to try these baked pumpkin donuts!
Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts are a delightful treat that combines the best of both worlds – the fluffy texture of biscuits and the sweet, aromatic flavor of cinnamon sugar. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast indulgence or a comforting snack, these homemade donuts are sure to satisfy any cravings for something warm and satisfying. With their easy preparation and versatility in flavors and toppings, cinnamon sugar biscuit donuts are bound to become a favorite in any kitchen. If you try them, be sure to leave a star rating below and comment!
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Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tube Pillsbury biscuits *8 count
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In the bottom of a large skillet, add enough vegetable oil to fill pan about an inch deep. Set aside.
- In a large, flat bowl mix together your sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Unwrap biscuits from tube and on a large cutting board, use a melon-baller or spoon to cut out a circle from the center of each biscuit.
- Heat oil in the skillet on your stove top to medium-high heat. When oil is ready, you will see ripples in the bottom of the oil.
- Carefully drop the donut rounds into the oil, frying four at a time. After about 2 minutes or when the donuts are lightly browned on the bottom, turn them over with a fork or tongs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until browned on that side, too.
- As soon as you remove donuts from the oil, drop each one into the cinnamon-sugar and evenly coat on all sides. Set aside on a separate serving plate.
- Repeat the steps above for the remaining donuts and donut holes. Serve donuts while still warm. ENJOY!!
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