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 option to a pillowy heart, and I used to be hooked. I returned to the buffet repeatedly, however only for these donuts!


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After a number of “analysis journeys” (and possibly a number of 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 often formed into lengthy strips, the Americanized model is available in bite-sized spherical balls, making them good for snacking. The outside crunch offers option to a comfortable, ethereal inside, and your complete donut is generously coated in white sugar for simply the correct quantity of sweetness.
One of the best half? This copycat model makes use of easy refrigerated biscuit dough as a shortcut, making it accessible for dwelling cooks of all talent ranges. They’re good 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 Model Donuts might not be the world’s healthiest deal with, they’re fairly scrumptious. They’ve a heavenly exterior crunch. It’s possible you’ll wish to strive these not simply as a dessert with a meal, however you might wish to strive them for a weekend breakfast or afternoon snack.
What are Chinese language Donuts?
These are like donuts. They’re sometimes deep-fried balls of dough after which rolled in white granulated sugar. Yow will discover these puffy donuts with a beneficiant sugar coating on a Chinese language buffet dessert desk.
They might have originated from Youtiao, the Chinese language deep-fried dough typically served for breakfast. In China, these are made in several shapes and lengthy varieties, so it’s straightforward to see how they’re Americanized in lots of eating places.
Substances You’ll Want
- Refrigerated canned biscuits – varieties the bottom of our donuts, offering the right texture when fried
- Granulated white sugar – Creates the signature candy coating that makes these donuts irresistible
- Vegetable oil (for frying) – Gives the medium for deep-frying and contributes to the crispy exterior
Gear Wanted
- Deep fryer or massive heavy-bottomed pot
- Deep-fry thermometer
- Slotted spoon or tongs
- Paper towels or wire cooling rack
- Shallow dish for sugar coating


Ingredient Notes
For the canned biscuits, I don’t suggest buying costly ones. In truth, by the least costly you could. Don’t buy the flaky ones if you wish to recreate this recipe at dwelling.
I like to recommend utilizing plain vegetable oil. Different varieties of oil would work; you can use corn oil, soybean oil, and even peanut oil.
The way to Make Chinese language Donuts (Sugar Donuts Chinese language Buffet Model)
- Add sufficient oil to a deep fryer or massive 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 test the oil’s temperature.
- Place a few biscuits within the oil and cook dinner till frivolously browned on one aspect, about 1 to 1½ minutes.
- Flip the biscuits over to brown on the opposite aspect.
- 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.
- Dredge the donuts in sugar whereas they’re nonetheless heat.


How do you eat a Chinese language doughnut?
You’d eat them as you’d any donut; take into accout these spherical donuts don’t have holes in them, so it is best to take pleasure in them one chunk at a time!
The way to Retailer and Reheat Chinese language Doughnuts
These donuts don’t retailer very nicely. You may take pleasure in them instantly for the most effective 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 will provide you with poor outcomes, they appear to get too exhausting in the event you refrigerate the leftovers. When you have an air fryer, it is best to reheat them for about 60 seconds at 350 levels Fahrenheit.


Variations to Strive
- Mini donuts: Minimize every biscuit in half for smaller, bite-sized treats (cut 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 a substitute of granulated for a unique 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 an entire 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
The way to Retailer and Reheat Chinese language Doughnuts
These donuts don’t retailer very nicely. You may take pleasure in them instantly for the most effective 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 best ways to reheat these home made donuts?
- Air fryer: 60 seconds at 350°F (finest methodology for restoring crispiness)
- Toaster oven or typical oven: 6-8 minutes at 350°F
- Microwave: 10-15 seconds (observe: this may make them softer, not crispy)
Do you’re keen on donuts? Try these recipes!
Extra Simple Dessert Recipes
Make sure to check out extra of my Chinese language delicacies recipes and the finest desserts.
Chinese language Doughnut (Buffet Model)
Take pleasure in Chinese language Buffet Model Donuts, much more, whenever you make them at dwelling.
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Add to Assortment
Servings: 10
Energy: 293kcal
Substances
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits
- oil for frying
- 1/3 cup sugar
Directions
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Add sufficient oil to a deep fryer or massive, deep heavy pot in order that it’s a few inches deep.
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Warmth the oil to 350 levels.
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Place 2 to three biscuits within the oil and permit them to frivolously brown on one aspect, about 90 seconds. You’ll want to fry solely a pair at a time or the oil might cool an excessive amount of and the donuts will take up an excessive amount of oil.
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Flip the biscuits over to brown on the opposite aspect.
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When the donuts are golden brown on each side, switch them to a wire rack or paper towels to empty for 15 seconds.
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Pour sugar right into a small bowl.
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Dredge the nice and cozy donuts within the sugar.
Notes
Suggestions for Excellent Chinese language Donuts
- Oil temperature is vital: 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 take up an excessive amount of oil and develop into greasy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in small batches to keep up 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 finest served contemporary. If it’s worthwhile to make them forward, fry them 1-2 hours earlier than serving and preserve at room temperature.
Q: Can I freeze these donuts? A: Not advisable. The feel considerably modifications after freezing.
Q: Can I exploit home made biscuit dough as a substitute of canned? A: Completely! Any fundamental biscuit recipe will work, although the feel might differ barely.
Scaling the Recipe
- For a crowd: Merely use extra cans of biscuits. The recipe scales simply, although you might want to vary the oil partway by way of if frying many batches.
- For a small batch: Use a smaller can of biscuits and cut 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 cut back the quantity used for coating.