Irresistible Bite-Sized Fried Dough (Printer Version)

Golden fried dough balls with a crisp coating of powdered sugar or cinnamon for a sweet finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
06 - 2/3 cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ For Frying

10 - 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying

→ Coating Options

11 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
12 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
03 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 350°F.
05 - Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoon-sized dough balls into the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding.
06 - Fry doughnut holes for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
07 - Remove doughnut holes with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, then while still warm, roll in powdered sugar or a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon.
08 - Serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're ready in under an hour and taste like you spent all morning on them.
  • The dough is forgiving enough that even one failed batch teaches you something useful.
  • One batch makes enough to share, which is honestly the best part.
02 -
  • Oil temperature is everything—too cool and they absorb oil like a sponge; too hot and they brown before cooking through.
  • Don't overmix the batter, even though it looks lumpy; that lumpiness is your friend.
03 -
  • Let your oil cool completely and strain it through cheesecloth after frying—it's reusable for a few batches and saves money.
  • A candy or deep-fry thermometer removes all guesswork and makes you feel like you know what you're doing.
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