In less time than it takes to run to the donut shop, you can whip up a batch of easy pancake mix donuts. These delicious homemade cake donuts only require a few minutes time and a handful of ingredients. While we love a satiny chocolate glaze on our donuts, you can top them with whatever topping your family enjoys most!
If you’ve never made homemade donuts, you might be surprised just how easy they are to make. Thanks to Krusteaz Pancake Mix, it’s easier than ever to start your day with a batch of fresh donuts. You are just two ingredients (plus toppings) and about 15 minutes away from your family enjoying donuts that you made yourself!
Pancake Mix Donuts
I’ve recently shared some delicious recipes that I make with Krusteaz Pancake Mix, including Funnel Cake Made With Pancake Mix and Hot Chocolate Pancakes. Today I’m excited to share another great way to use your favorite pancake mix – to make homemade donuts!
How To Make Donuts With Pancake Mix
Making donuts with pancake mix is about as easy as it gets! All you need is Krusteaz Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Pancake Mix and milk, as well as some oil for frying. While these donuts are delicious on their own, we love to top them with chocolate glaze and sprinkles.
To make these donuts, simply combine your pancake mix with milk and stir. After that it’s a matter of gently rolling out your dough, cutting and frying. It’s that simple! You don’t even need a donut shaped cutter, just find two round cutters or items such as glasses, and you’re in business.
After making your dough and cutting your donut shapes, you prep your oil. I find the ideal temperature to fry donuts at is about 375 degrees F. At this temperature it takes about 1-2 minutes per side to cook each donut. If you are cooking your donut holes, those take slightly less time.
Working one donut at a time, cook donuts then simply transfer them to a baking sheet covered with paper towels, to soak up excess oil. After that it’s time to add your toppings. Our favorite toppings are powdered sugar and chocolate glaze with sprinkles.
The chocolate glaze recipe is found below with the donut recipe. If you want to cover your donuts with powdered sugar, simply add powdered sugar to a large freezer style bag, place your donut or donut holes into the bag, and give it a gentle shake to coat your donuts. Easy peasy!
I love that Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix makes this SO easy. I also love that they use delicious, quality ingredients, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Tips For Making Pancake Mix Donuts
- Do not over mix your Krusteaz Pancake Mix and milk.
- Use a large, deep, heavy bottomed pot for frying your donuts and don’t overcrowd the pot. I prefer to work one donut at a time.
- Use a neutral oil, such as peanut or safflower, with a high smoke point.
- A simple digital thermometer is incredibly helpful for any sort of frying. If the temperature is too low, donuts can turn out a bit soggy. Oil that is too hot on the other hand can over cook the outside before the inside is fully cooked.
- Be aware that the temperature changes constantly, so it’s a good idea to check it before each donut.
- After cooking immediately place on paper towels, which will help absorb excess grease.
- It’s best to top or coat your donuts while warm, and serve immediately.
- Always use care and caution when frying foods. The US Dept of Agriculture has some great tips for safety when frying foods. If you are new to frying foods, or need a refresher on safety (we can all use that!) please check out their safety tips here.
I can’t wait for you to try making these deliciously easy donuts at home with Krusteaz Pancake Mix!
Pancake Mix Donuts
Equipment
- Donut cutter, or round cutters
- Digital Thermometer
Ingredients
- 3 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups neutral oil peanut or safflower are good options
Chocolate Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4-5 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place oil into a medium to large heavy sauce pan or dutch oven. Heat over medium heat, checking temperature every few minutes with a thermometer to monitor.
- In a mixing bowl, combine Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix and milk. Stir to combine but do not over mix. The dough will have a shaggy, not smooth, appearance. Transfer dough to a clean, non-stick surface that has been sprinkled with approximately 1-2 tablespoons of pancake mix or flour.
- Gently roll dough to about 1/4" thick. Use a donut or round shaped cutter, or even a glass, to cut out each donut. Use a smaller cutter to cut out donut holes.
- When oil is at 375 degrees F, gently slip a donut into the oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or to a light golden brown. Donuts can cook quickly, so once you see a light golden brown it's time to flip or remove the donut. Once cooked, carefully transfer to a baking sheet or plate lined with multiple paper towels. Repeat steps to cook remaining donuts.
Chocolate Glaze (optional)
- In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and whisk or stir until smooth. If glaze is thicker than you prefer, simply add more milk, 1-2 teaspoons at a time. Gently dip the top of each donut into the glaze, then transfer to a wire rack to allow for excess glaze to drip off. If desired, garnish with sprinkles.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclosure: this post was sponsored by Krusteaz. All opinions however are mine and mine alone.
Anonymous says
Loveee them
I used sugar and cinnamon though:)
Eden Woodley says
I’m excited to try these! I must tell my mom!
Cindy says
Can you bake these instead? What temp would I need? Thanks
Christi Johnstone says
I have not baked this particular recipe. Let us know how it goes if you do!
Cindy says
These donuts (like most bakery donuts) are deep-fried, so you need enough oil to submerge the donut. If you are being economical, you could use less by using a smaller heavy-bottomed pot and only frying one donut at a time. Alternatively, you can use a deep-fryer or skim and save your oil for reuse.
Samantha Randazzo says
3 cups of oil? am i reading this right
Christi Johnstone says
That is the oil you are pouring in a pan to fry the donuts in. You can use less, but often that will result in the food sticking to the bottom or not cooking evenly.
Christine says
These actually taste like doughnuts!!
Anonymous says
Could you make the donuts and cut them ahead of time and leave them overnight in the fridge before frying? Or would there be a good way to make these ahead and store them for Christmas morning
Larry says
This recipe was very delicious! I was expecting it to be worse than it was. The chocolate glaze is amazing! we made a bit less then the recipe said and may have added a bit more or less of some things but it was amazing! everyone took there first bite at around the same time and everyone was like “yum” and it is defiantly something to try. It’s reasonably easy.
Ashea says
Really helped with my pregnancy craving for Fry Cakes. They tasted very similarly to the fry cakes i used to sell at my first job in a family owned bakery. Thank you so much.
Amy says
These donuts made with pancake mix turned out really well. I still find frying anything a challenge but I was happy with how thsese turned out, my boys loved them.