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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Chinese language Donuts – like a Chinese language Buffet


I first encountered Chinese language sugar donuts at my favourite native buffet after a very lengthy week at work. Nestled between the fortune cookies and fried wontons, these golden, sugar-dusted treats caught my eye. One chunk of that crispy exterior gave technique to a pillowy heart, and I used to be hooked. I returned to the buffet repeatedly, however only for these donuts!

homemade Chinese donuts on a blue plate.homemade Chinese donuts on a blue plate.

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After a number of “analysis journeys” (and possibly just a few too many donuts), I used to be decided to recreate this straightforward but irresistible dessert at dwelling. The result’s this extremely straightforward recipe that captures all of the magic of these restaurant favorites—with out having to pay for a complete buffet simply to fulfill your craving.

What Makes Chinese language Sugar Donuts Particular?

Chinese language donuts served in American Chinese language eating places are a pleasant adaptation of the normal Chinese language “you tiao” (crispy fried bread). Whereas genuine you tiao is normally formed into lengthy strips, the Americanized model is available in bite-sized spherical balls, making them excellent for snacking. The outside crunch provides technique to a smooth, ethereal inside, and your entire donut is generously coated in white sugar for simply the correct quantity of sweetness.

The most effective half? This copycat model makes use of easy refrigerated biscuit dough as a shortcut, making it accessible for dwelling cooks of all ability ranges. They’re excellent for dessert after a home made Chinese language meal, weekend breakfast treats, or anytime you want one thing candy in below half-hour.

Why it is best to do this recipe

Whereas Chinese language Buffet Fashion Donuts might not be the world’s healthiest deal with, they’re fairly scrumptious. They’ve a heavenly exterior crunch. You could wish to strive these not simply as a dessert with a meal, however it’s possible you’ll wish to strive them for a weekend breakfast or afternoon snack.

What are Chinese language Donuts?

These are like donuts. They’re usually deep-fried balls of dough after which rolled in white granulated sugar. You’ll find these puffy donuts with a beneficiant sugar coating on a Chinese language buffet dessert desk.

They could have originated from Youtiao, the Chinese language deep-fried dough usually served for breakfast. In China, these are made in several shapes and lengthy kinds, so it’s straightforward to see how they’re Americanized in lots of eating places.

Elements You’ll Want

  • Refrigerated canned biscuits – kinds the bottom of our donuts, offering the proper texture when fried
  • Granulated white sugar – Creates the signature candy coating that makes these donuts irresistible
  • Vegetable oil (for frying) – Offers the medium for deep-frying and contributes to the crispy exterior

Tools Wanted

  • Deep fryer or giant heavy-bottomed pot
  • Deep-fry thermometer
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Paper towels or wire cooling rack
  • Shallow dish for sugar coating
homemade Chinese donuts ingredients on a baking sheet.homemade Chinese donuts ingredients on a baking sheet.

Ingredient Notes

For the canned biscuits, I don’t suggest buying costly ones. Actually, by the least costly you can. Don’t buy the flaky ones if you wish to recreate this recipe at dwelling.

I like to recommend utilizing plain vegetable oil. Different sorts of oil would work; you might use corn oil, soybean oil, and even peanut oil.

Make Chinese language Donuts (Sugar Donuts Chinese language Buffet Fashion)

  1. Add sufficient oil to a deep fryer or giant heavy-bottomed pot in order that it’s a few inches deep. Warmth the oil to 350 levels Fahrenheit. Use a deep-fry thermometer to verify the oil’s temperature.
  2. Place a few biscuits within the oil and cook dinner till frivolously browned on one aspect, about 1 to 1½ minutes.
  3. Flip the biscuits over to brown on the opposite aspect.
  4. When each side of the donuts are golden brown, switch them to a wire rack or paper towels and drain for 15 seconds, you’ll want to take away the surplus grease.
  5. Dredge the donuts in sugar whereas they’re nonetheless heat.
homemade Chinese sugar donuts on a blue plate.Chinese language Donuts – like a Chinese language Buffet

How do you eat a Chinese language doughnut?

You’d eat them as you’ll any donut; take note these spherical donuts wouldn’t have holes in them, so it is best to take pleasure in them one chunk at a time!

Retailer and Reheat Chinese language Doughnuts

These donuts don’t retailer very effectively. You’ll be able to take pleasure in them instantly for the very best taste and texture, if you wish to take pleasure in them later, I like to recommend storing them in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 48 hours.

I don’t prefer to retailer these within the fridge, as a result of I really feel prefer it offers you poor outcomes, they appear to get too arduous if you happen to refrigerate the leftovers. If in case you have an air fryer, it is best to reheat them for about 60 seconds at 350 levels Fahrenheit.

a stack on homemade Chinese sugar donuts on a plate.a stack on homemade Chinese sugar donuts on a plate.

Variations to Attempt

  • Mini donuts: Lower every biscuit in half for smaller, bite-sized treats (scale back frying time accordingly).
  • Cinnamon sugar coating: Combine floor cinnamon with the granulated sugar for a heat, spiced taste.
  • Powdered sugar: Use confectioners’ sugar as an alternative of granulated for a distinct sweetness profile.
  • Dipping sauces: Serve with chocolate sauce, condensed milk, or fruit coulis for dipping.

What to serve these with?

These Chinese language sugar donuts pair splendidly with:

  • As a part of a whole Chinese language buffet-style meal at dwelling
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert
  • Recent fruit for a balanced candy deal with
  • Sizzling espresso or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack

Retailer and Reheat Chinese language Doughnuts

These donuts don’t retailer very effectively. You’ll be able to take pleasure in them instantly for the very best taste and texture, if you wish to take pleasure in them later, I like to recommend storing them in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 48 hours.

What’s one of the simplest ways to reheat these home made donuts?

  • Air fryer: 60 seconds at 350°F (greatest methodology for restoring crispiness)
  • Toaster oven or typical oven: 6-8 minutes at 350°F
  • Microwave: 10-15 seconds (notice: this can make them softer, not crispy)

Do you’re keen on donuts? Take a look at these recipes!

Extra Straightforward Dessert Recipes

Be certain to try extra of my Chinese language delicacies recipes and the greatest desserts.

homemade Chinese donuts on a blue plate.homemade Chinese donuts on a blue plate.

Chinese language Doughnut (Buffet Fashion)

Take pleasure in Chinese language Buffet Fashion Donuts, much more, whenever you make them at dwelling. 

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Course: Dessert

Delicacies: Chinese language

Key phrase: Chinese language Buffet Fashion Donuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time: 10 minutes

Complete Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 10

Energy: 293kcal

Elements

  • 1 can refrigerated biscuits
  • oil for frying
  • 1/3 cup sugar

Directions

  • Add sufficient oil to a deep fryer or giant, deep heavy pot in order that it’s a few inches deep.

  • Warmth the oil to 350 levels.

  • Place 2 to three biscuits within the oil and permit them to frivolously brown on one aspect, about 90 seconds. You should definitely fry solely a pair at a time or the oil might cool an excessive amount of and the donuts will soak up an excessive amount of oil.

  • Flip the biscuits over to brown on the opposite aspect.

  • When the donuts are golden brown on each side, switch them to a wire rack or paper towels to empty for 15 seconds.
  • Pour sugar right into a small bowl.

  • Dredge the nice and cozy donuts within the sugar.

Notes

Ideas for Good Chinese language Donuts

  • Oil temperature is essential: Keep the oil at 350°F. If it’s too scorching, the skin will burn earlier than the within cooks; if it’s too cool, the donuts will soak up an excessive amount of oil and develop into greasy.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in small batches to take care of oil temperature and provides the donuts room to drift.
  • Select the best biscuits: Use the least costly, common (not flaky layers) canned biscuits for probably the most genuine texture.
  • Sugar whereas scorching: Roll the donuts in sugar whereas they’re nonetheless heat so the coating sticks higher.

Diet

Energy: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 18g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 435mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Frequent Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: Why are my donuts greasy? A: The oil temperature was seemingly too low. At all times guarantee it’s at 350°F earlier than frying.

Q: Can I make these forward of time for a celebration? A: These are greatest served recent. If it’s worthwhile to make them forward, fry them 1-2 hours earlier than serving and hold at room temperature.

Q: Can I freeze these donuts? A: Not beneficial. The feel considerably modifications after freezing.

Q: Can I take advantage of home made biscuit dough as an alternative of canned? A: Completely! Any primary biscuit recipe will work, although the feel might range barely.

Scaling the Recipe

  • For a crowd: Merely use extra cans of biscuits. The recipe scales simply, although it’s possible you’ll want to alter the oil partway by way of if frying many batches.
  • For a small batch: Use a smaller can of biscuits and scale back the quantity of oil accordingly.

Dietary Modifications

  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free canned biscuits (now obtainable in lots of supermarkets).
  • Vegan: Search for vegan-friendly refrigerated biscuit dough or use a easy vegan biscuit recipe.
  • Decrease sugar: Use a sugar substitute that measures like sugar, or scale back the quantity used for coating.

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