Canned Biscuit Donuts: Quick Homemade Donut Recipe

Biscuit donuts are the simplest way to make fresh donuts at home. All you need are canned biscuits, frying oil, and your favorite toppings.

Have you wanted to make donuts without mixing dough from scratch? A refrigerated tube of canned biscuits makes this quick and fun. Top them with frosting, sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or M&Ms for an easy treat the whole family will love.

Easy Donut Recipe

These biscuit donuts are a comforting, nostalgic recipe. My mom made them when I was a child, often after playing outside in cold weather. They’re warm, simple, and perfect for making memories — and they’re just as easy to make today. Whether you roll them in sugar or dunk them in frosting, they’re delicious anytime.

Grocery List for Biscuit Donuts

• Canned biscuits (refrigerated)
• Vegetable oil (or another frying oil)
• Toppings such as frosting, sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or candy

How to Make Biscuit Donuts

1. Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a deep, heavy pot to about 360°F. Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature between 350°F and 380°F.
2. Prepare the biscuits: remove them from the can and separate. Use a small biscuit cutter or a cap to cut a hole in the center of each biscuit to form the donut and donut hole.
3. Fry in batches: gently lower the donuts and donut holes into the hot oil and fry about 1 minute per side, flipping when golden. Keep the oil temperature steady between 350°F and 380°F.
4. Drain the cooked donuts on a paper towel–lined plate to remove excess oil.
5. Don’t forget the donut holes — they cook faster than the larger donuts, so watch them closely.
6. Top the warm donuts as desired with frosting, sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or any other toppings.

Toppings and Variations

Store-bought tub frostings are an easy way to create a variety of flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or even marshmallow frosting are all great choices. For cinnamon sugar donuts, dip the hot donut in melted butter (or skip the butter and roll immediately) and then roll in cinnamon sugar. For a glaze-like finish, spread a thin layer of frosting while the donut is still hot; for thicker frosting, let the donut cool slightly before applying.

Tips for Frying Donuts

• Maintain oil temperature: keep it between 350°F and 380°F. If it reaches 360°F, adjust the heat to stabilize. Watch the thermometer and make small adjustments as needed.
• Donut holes cook fast: they often flip on their own — remove them sooner to avoid overcooking.
• Frosting timing: frost immediately for a thin glaze, or let donuts cool slightly for thicker frosting.

Safe Disposal of Used Frying Oil

Let oil cool completely before disposing. Pour cooled oil into a jar or sealed container and throw it in the trash or take it to a recycling location that accepts cooking oil. Do not pour oil down the drain. If only a small amount remains, you can soak it up with paper towels and discard them, but avoid this method for large volumes.

Helpful Tools

Practical tools make the process easier:

• Biscuit cutter or small round cutter for the donut centers.
• Candy thermometer to monitor oil temperature accurately.
• Deep, heavy-duty pan or Dutch oven to reduce splatter while frying.
• Tongs to flip and remove donuts safely.

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

• Frying oil
• 8 canned biscuits
• Desired toppings (sprinkles, tub frosting, cinnamon sugar, M&Ms, etc.)

Instructions

1. Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a deep heavy pot to 360°F.
2. Remove biscuits from the can and separate on a cutting board. Cut a hole in the center of each biscuit with a small cutter or cap.
3. Fry the donuts and donut holes in batches, about 1 minute per side, flipping with tongs.
4. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Top as desired and serve warm.

Notes

• Nutritional estimates depend on oil amount and toppings used.
• For a glaze, spread a thin layer of frosting while the donut is hot. For thicker frosting, let them cool slightly first.
• For cinnamon sugar donuts, roll hot donuts in cinnamon sugar or dip in melted butter first.
• Apply sprinkles immediately after frosting so they stick before the frosting sets.

Made this recipe? Take a picture and share it to show how yours turned out — homemade biscuit donuts are a quick, fun treat for any day.