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Stack of homemade cinnamon sugar donuts on a plate, coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture, served with coffee and fresh apples in the background.

Homemade Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Soft, fluffy donuts fried to golden perfection and coated in warm cinnamon sugar. No yeast needed—ready in just 25 minutes!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 12 donuts
Calories 230 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Donuts:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ⅔ cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Make the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms (don’t overmix).
  • Roll & Cut : Lightly flour a surface and roll dough to about ½-inch thickness. Cut out donuts with a donut cutter or two round cutters. Save the holes to fry too!
  • Heat the Oil: In a deep pot, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
  • Fry the Donuts: Fry in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  • Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: While warm, roll donuts in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.

Notes

Tips & Variations

Apple flavor: Stir in ¼ cup finely chopped apple for a fall twist.
Bake instead of fry: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes, then brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
Storage: Best eaten fresh, but store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Glaze it: Add a vanilla glaze drizzle or melted chocolate for a bakery-style upgrade.
Keyword donut recipe, fall baking, homemade donuts, no yeast donuts