No-Yeast Homemade Donuts

These homemade donuts, which contain no yeast, are slightly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. There is no waiting for hours, and they are so easy that anyone can make them at home. Enjoy these delicious donuts in a matter of minutes! 

Old Fashion Mexican Donuts

It seems like every country has its own version of fried dough covered in sugar. Well, Mexico is not the exception. One of the many Mexican pan dulces is the Mexican dona (donut), mostly made with yeast. On this occasion, I would like to share an older version, a more homemade version of the donut recipe. The best part is that you don't have to wait for a long time to enjoy them.

While I love visiting panaderias (Mexican bakeries) to get traditional pan dulce, my favorite places to get pastries when I visit Mexico are with vendors coming to town from small towns. Some of these vendors will place their stands on a corner of a busy street, and others will carry their baskets through the neighborhoods selling their baked goods. I love buying their pan dulce because the bread is made with simple ingredients, just like these bonuts. So, if you ever wanted to make your own homemade donuts with ingredients you already have at home and without waiting for hours, give this recipe a try, I know you will be happy you did. 

How to Make No Yeast Homemade Donuts

Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this easy homemade pickled jalapeños.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour  
• Butter at room temperature  
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cream of tartar (or baking soda)
• Eggs
• Sugar 
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Orange zest of an orange
• Vanilla extract

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

• Sugar for sprinkling, to taste
• Ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

To make things easier for you, I will break down the directions for this recipe into sections.

Prepare the Dough:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt into a large bowl.

• Add the butter and mix with the dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture forms.

• Add the sugar, orange zest (if using), and other wet ingredients (eggs and vanilla extract) add the milk and mix until a soft manageable dough is formed. (you may not need all of the cup of milk)

Knead and Roll:

• Knead for about one to two minutes until the dough is completely combined.

• Wrap and rest the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. 

• Roll out the dough on a floured surface using a rolling pin, leaving it about one ½ inch thick.
• Cut the doughnuts using a 3-inch doughnut cutter and a small 1-inch cutter for the center. 

Fry the Donuts:

• Preheat the oil to around 350°F (175°C) in a frying pot. It is important to maintain a constant temperature.
• Carefully add a few donuts to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet when deep frying.

• Fry the donuts for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
• When the doughnuts are golden brown on both sides, remove them and let them cool off on a wire rack or paper plate lined with paper napkins to absorb the excess oil.

• Place the sugar on a plate and roll each doughnut in it. If desired, you can mix ground cinnamon with the sugar.

Notes and Tips

• It is important to maintain a constant oil temperature; if the temperature is too low, the doughnuts will absorb too much oil, and if it is too high, the doughnuts will brown quickly on the outside but remain uncooked on the inside.
• While the donuts are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
• For extra detail on your donuts, press the already formed and rolled-out dough with a smaller-sized cutter or use a sharp knife to score around the top. (Be careful not to cut all the way through.) See the picture below.
• You can add your favorite flavor of extracts, spices like nutmeg,  sprinkles, or icing sugar by mixing ½ of a cup of powdered sugar with a few tablespoon of milk for extra flavor. 
• Other donut glazes to think about are melted chocolate or Mexican cajeta.

What To Serve With No-Yeast Homemade Donuts

Enjoy these delicious treats as a sweet snack or dessert. My favorite way to eat them is warm with a side of Mexican hot chocolate or cafe de olla (Mexican coffee) as an afternoon treat. Some people like to enjoy them with a cup of cold milk. 

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for homemade donuts, take a look at some of these other Mexican Dessert recipes:

• Mexican pink cake
• Buñuelos de Viento
• Conchas Recipes
• Little Piggy Bread | Marranitos 

If this recipe was helpful to you, please come back and let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!

Frequently Asked Questions About No-Yeast Homemade Donuts.

I would like to share some of the few questions I've been asked and my answers.

What are no-yeast donuts?

No-yeast donuts are donuts made without using yeast as a leavening agent. Instead, they rely on baking powder or baking soda to help the dough rise and become fluffy.

What can I use instead of yeast for donuts??

In this recipe, we use baking powder, and cream of tartar but some people use baking soda or a mixture of baking soda with lemon juice or white vinegar as a leavening agent.

How do no-yeast donuts differ from yeast donuts?

These donuts tend to have a denser texture, almost like a cake, while yeast donuts are lighter and airier. The no-yeast donuts are also quicker to make since they don't require too much kneading or time to let the dough rise. In comparison, yeast donuts have to rest for a few hours for the yeast to activate and produce the airy consistency of the donuts. 

What oil is best for frying no-yeast donuts?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are best for frying donuts. These oils don’t have a strong flavor and don't change the flavor of the donuts, plus they handle high frying temperatures.

How should I store no-yeast donuts?

Store no-yeast donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature. They are best eaten fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore some of their original texture. To warm up day-old donuts, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the donuts on a baking tray, cover them loosely with aluminum foil, and place them in the oven for about 5 minutes. This will help restore their freshness without drying them out.

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