Fermented overnight for the softest, fluffiest texture, these irresistible sourdough donuts are fried in coconut oil until perfectly crispy and dipped in a sweet, vanilla glaze.
Homemade donuts win breakfast every time. Growing up, these delightful treats were generally saved for special occasions. They always left our fingers covered in powdered sugar and wishing there were just a few more. Perhaps we all savor our memories of homemade donuts, whether cut out of canned biscuits or made from scratch.
This recipe introduces sourdough fermentation for the best sourdough donuts. If you didn’t think donuts got better, prepare for a new favorite recipe.
Fermenting the donut dough results in a tender, airy crumb, as well as a rich sourdough tanginess. Frying them in a cast-iron skillet until golden brown enriches that flavor even more, and dipping in glaze or dusting with powdered sugar takes them over the top.
While donuts never claimed to be healthy, we might argue that these sourdough donuts come as close as possible. With fermented grains, healthy fats, and zero additives, I don’t feel bad at all about feeding these pillowy little treats to my family.
As you can see, sourdough isn’t only for bread recipes. From these sourdough donuts to sourdough croissants, an easy lemon sourdough cake, and even sourdough peanut butter cookies, we love working sourdough into our favorite things. If this piques your interest, head to my blog to learn how to make your own sourdough starter, how to use sourdough starter, and how to keep it going for years to come.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavorful and delicious – The rich ingredients and slight sourdough tang work harmoniously to create the best donuts – lightly sweetened, lightly tangy, and absolutely nostalgic.
Pillowy and crisp – Fried until golden brown, these donuts develop a mouthwateringly crisp exterior that, once broken into, reveals a light, fluffy crumb.
Simple and fully fermented – Only simple ingredients in this recipe. The batter is fermented for up to 24 hours for a more digestible and nutritious treat.
Ingredients
Milk – Preferably whole milk, as it achieves a better texture for the donuts and a good consistency for the glaze.
Sugar – Organic, unrefined.
Flour – I like to use all-purpose flour for this recipe. You could also use freshly milled whole grain, though the texture will be a little different and not as fluffy.
Sourdough starter – This should be a fed and active sourdough starter that is nice and bubbly.
Oil – For frying donuts, I suggest tallow, lard, avocado oil, or coconut oil. These are healthy, unrefined oils with higher smoke points.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sourdough Donuts
Step 1: Feed your sourdough starter 4-12 hours before starting the dough. Warm the milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan over low heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar.
Step 2: Add the melted butter mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Add two cups of flour to the mixer bowl and combine on low. I like to do this to make sure the milk mixture has cooled down enough before adding my starter.
Step 3: Add starter, eggs, the remaining flour, and salt. Knead on low until smooth and elastic. This took about 10 minutes for my dough to finally come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or beeswax wrap and leave it in a warm place to rise for 5-6 hours. After rising, place the dough in the fridge overnight.
Step 5: The next day, take the risen dough out of the fridge and roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness. Only use as much flour as necessary. Too much flour can cause the donuts to become dense and bready.
Step 6: Cut the donuts out. I usually use a cup or a large biscuit cutter and a smaller bottle-type cap to cut the center, since we don’t have a donut cutter.
Step 7: Place the cut donuts on a baking sheet and cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap. Let them rise for 1½ to 2 hours at room temperature. A warmer or cooler location will determine how long the rise takes.
Step 8: Add about 1/2 inch of frying oil to a cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil over medium heat until it sizzles when something is added.
Step 9: Fry each donut for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them and fry another 2 to 3 minutes on the other side until puffy and golden. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Place the donuts on a wire rack over parchment paper to cool for a bit before glazing.
Step 10: Add butter, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar to a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until fully melted and combined. Dip each donut in the glaze and return to the cooling rack to set. Serve fresh!
Tips
- If you are sensitive to wheat, try fermenting the dough for up to 24 hours. This can really help make those grains easier to digest.
- Placing the dough in the refrigerator overnight is essential. This helps develop the flavors while slowing down the fermentation process so it doesn’t over-ferment.
- When deep frying, test one in the hot oil before frying the whole batch. The temperature may need adjustment.
- You don’t need fancy equipment to cut out the donuts. I usually just find whatever objects we have on hand. A wide-mouth mason jar and a bottle cap for the holes will work perfectly fine.
- For this recipe, I dunked the donuts in a simple glaze, but you could also top them with powdered sugar or a cinnamon sugar topping.
- Want to add some fun flavors to the glaze? Add a spoonful of your favorite jam to give it a fruity flavor.
- Fry up the donut holes, as well!
Recipe FAQs
The longer the grains ferment with the active sourdough starter, the more easily digestible they become. People sensitive to wheat or gluten often tolerate sourdough products better when the grain has been fermented for 24 hours. The flavor also deepens during fermentation, resulting in a tangy, sour taste that complements the deep-fried coconut oil flavor and sweet glaze.
If somehow you have a few leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container (or bag), or wrap them in a napkin and place them in a paper bag – fold over the top. I like to add a napkin to help absorb any extra oil and keep them fresh longer.
I like to pop them in the oven for a few minutes to warm them up without drying them out.
In this case, yes. This recipe uses simple ingredients, employs the benefits of sourdough fermentation, and contains zero additives or preservatives.
These donuts can be fermented for 8-24 hours, so how long they take depends on your schedule and preferences. With prep time running around 15 minutes, you could start the shaping and frying anywhere from 8 to 24 hours after assembling the ingredients.
More Breakfast Recipes from the Farmhouse
- Waffles with Freshly Milled Flour
- Homemade Sourdough Pop Tarts
- Easy Sourdough Crumpets
- Freshly Milled Dutch Baby Pancake
- Sourdough Coffee Cake
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Sourdough Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups milk, 305 grams
- 1/2 cup sugar, 96 grams
- 1/4 cup butter, 57 grams
- 4 cups flour, 560 grams
- 1 cup active starter, 200 grams
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt, 5 grams
- Oil for frying, such as coconut, avocado, or lard
Glaze
- 1/4 cup butter, 57 grams
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 10 grams
- 2 cups powdered sugar, 240 grams
Instructions
- Feed your sourdough starter 4-12 hours before starting the dough. Warm the milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan over low heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the melted butter mixture to a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Add two cups of flour to the mixer bowl and combine on low. I like to do this to make sure the milk mixture has cooled down enough before adding my starter.
- Add starter, eggs, the remaining flour, and salt. Knead on low until smooth and elastic. This took about 10 minutes for my dough to finally come together and pull away from the sides.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or beeswax wrap and leave it in a warm place to rise for 5-6 hours. After rising, place the dough in the fridge overnight.
- The next day, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness. Only use as much flour as necessary. Too much flour can cause the donuts to become dense and bready.
- Cut the donuts out. I usually use a cup or a large biscuit cutter and a smaller bottle-type cap to cut the center, since we don’t have a donut cutter.
- Place donuts on a baking sheet and cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap. Let them rise for 1½ to 2 hours at room temperature. A warmer or cooler location will determine how long the rise takes.
- Add about 1/2 inch of coconut oil to a cast-iron skillet. Heat the frying oil over medium heat until it sizzles when something is added.
- Fry each donut for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them and fry another 2 to 3 minutes on the other side until puffy and golden. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Place the donuts on a wire rack over parchment paper to cool for a bit before glazing.
- Add butter, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar to a saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until fully melted and combined. Dip each donut in the glaze and return to the cooling rack to set. Serve fresh!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I bake by weight and used 516 grams flour and 250 grams starter. This is the second time I’ve made them and both times I’ve had to add almost another cup of flour (128 grams). Mixing for 20 minutes before the dough slightly pulls away from the side. Has anyone else needed to add additional flour?
Perhaps I should try it with measurements instead of weights.
We absolutely LOVE these donuts! I sprinkle them with a bit of cinnamon sugar after I take them from the pan because we don’t need the extra glaze. They’re even delicious plain! Thanks Lisa – for this and ALL your wonderful sourdough recipes. I’ve made many of them.
Yes l, I made twice and had to add more flour still was difficult to handle to dough. I did ask if I am doing something wrong with my measurements. I used cups for measurements not grams. I am going to try again, maybe 3rd time the charm lol
Note: the donuts tasted absolutely amazing! My family loved it!
Hi Lisa, I made this donut twice now and family absolutely loved it. I would like your feedback on the consistency of the dough. First time I made it, it was pretty sticky/soft, more hydration than i am used to for sourdough. I thought I must have made measurement error. So I made it again yesterday and it was same consistency. It was challenging to handle. What am I doing wrong? I am in east coast and it’s cold. Thank you!
It’s hard to tell without knowing all of the factors going into the baking. The dough should firm up after the kneading and the gluten develops. Some doughs start out a little stickier and then turn into firmer, well shaped dough after the gluten develops.
Thank you! I am making it again today and I am going to hold off the 1/4 cup of milk and use 1 cup. Will let you know how it turns out
Hi there I was wondering what happens when you accidentally leave the dough on the counter. Can I still use the dough for donuts or no I was rising your sourdough sandwich bread at the same time last night and so I just completely forgot to put it in the fridge overnight
As long as the dough didn’t over ferment it should totally still be ok.
Hello recipe looks great. I’m following it exactly how it is but I’m concerned about leaving the mixture on the counter 5 hrs after mixing in eggs and milk. Can you give me some insight? Thank you
Hi! I am comfortable with leaving them out on my counter. If you are not comfortable, you could put them in the fridge for double the amount of time while the sourdough ferments.
Just made these for the first time and we love them! Thank you for another great, easy to follow recipe!
Glad you like it!
My first time making donuts and WOW!! They turned out great!! Thanks Lisa for helping us succeed in making gorgeous, delicious, sourdough items!!!!
I wish i could post a pic bc they are PERFECT
Yay! Great news.
I accidentally skipped the rising step and went straight to bulk ferment in the fridge! Help me save our New Year donuts! Should I rise now before rolling?
Hi there! Just pull it out and let it rise on the counter for 8-12 hours and you should be good!
These are the best donuts I’ve ever made! I did have to add about a cup of extra flour but it was perfect. The dough is beautiful, easy to work with and so good. They taste like a donut shop in my kitchen. Thank you!
I started this dough today and my dough looks NOTHING like yours, it’s a pancake batter consistency. Followed the directions exactly 🙁 Going to try one more time but any troubleshooting suggestions?
Oh wow! It shouldn’t be like that. What was the consistency of your starter like? I would try again because they shouldn’t be like that!
I had the same experience. I had to add more flour to get it to come together. I’m guessing it’s because of the measuring of the starter in cups vs. grams? I looked up another recipe that indicated 1/2 cup = 113 grams so I doubled that for mine but then needed more flour.
Hi Lisa! For starters, I love love love everything you do and it inspires me so much. I believe God has used you so much in my life to make me into a better mother, wife, and homemaker. Secondly, do you think cake flour would work fine instead of all purpose? Thank you in advance!
Thank you for your kind words! I have never tried cake flour with this and do not typically use it, so I can’t say for sure. I did find this article though on substituting cake flour for AP. Hope it helps! https://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/cake-flour-vs-all-purpose-flour