Warm, fluffy, and covered in sweet cinnamon sugar, these Bisquick Donuts are the ultimate shortcut to homemade donuts without the hassle of yeast or waiting for dough to rise. Using pantry staples and a simple method, you can enjoy a fresh batch of golden, cake-style donuts in less than 30 minutes—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy – No yeast, no rising time, just mix and fry.
Soft & Cake-Like – Cakey on the inside, crisp on the outside.
Simple Ingredients – Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen.
Customizable – Glaze them, dip them in sugar, or stuff them with jam.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for parties, holidays, or lazy weekends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Donut Dough:
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk (plus 1–2 tbsp more as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional for added richness)
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (for deep frying, about 2–3 cups)
For Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate glaze
- Maple glaze
- Honey drizzle
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Donut cutter or 2 round cookie cutters
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer
- Paper towels & cooling rack
- Candy or deep-fry thermometer (recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, stir together the Bisquick, sugar, egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Mix until a soft dough forms. If it’s too sticky, add a little more Bisquick. If it’s too dry, add a splash more milk.
Step 2: Roll & Cut
Lightly flour a surface with Bisquick. Roll the dough out to about ½-inch thickness.
Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to shape the donuts.
Re-roll the scraps to use all the dough. Don’t forget the donut holes—they’re delicious too!
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or skillet to a depth of 2 inches.
Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the correct temperature.
Step 4: Fry the Donuts
Carefully lower a few donuts into the hot oil at a time.
Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain on a paper towel-lined cooling rack.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the donuts are still warm, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
Toss each donut in the mixture until coated on all sides.
For variety, dust some in powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve warm for the best flavor and texture. Pair with coffee, milk, or your favorite hot beverage.
Tips for Perfect Bisquick Donuts
Maintain Oil Temperature – Use a thermometer to keep oil between 350–360°F.
Don’t Overwork the Dough – Mix until just combined to avoid tough donuts.
Use Parchment – If cutting ahead of time, place donuts on parchment so they’re easy to transfer to oil.
Double the Batch – These go fast! You can easily double the recipe.
Try Different Flavors – Add lemon zest, almond extract, or nutmeg to change things up.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Cinnamon Sugar – A nostalgic favorite with great texture and flavor.
Chocolate Dipped – Dip cooled donuts in melted chocolate for a bakery-style treat.
Jam-Filled – Use a piping bag to add strawberry or raspberry preserves inside.
With Ice Cream – Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Donut Sandwich – Slice and fill with whipped cream or Nutella for a fun twist.
How to Store & Reheat
Storing:
Room Temp: Store cooled donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
Reheating:
Microwave: Heat one donut at a time for 10–15 seconds.
Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to re-crisp the outside.
Oven: Warm at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I air fry these donuts instead of deep frying?
Yes! Spray the shaped donuts lightly with oil and air fry at 375°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
2. Can I bake them instead?
You can! Bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined tray for 10–12 minutes until golden.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best fresh, but you can refrigerate the dough for a few hours if needed. Let it come to room temp before frying.
4. Are these donuts cakey or fluffy?
They’re classic cake-style donuts—rich, dense, and satisfyingly soft.
Final Thoughts
Bisquick Donuts are the ultimate DIY treat when you want something sweet, fast, and crowd-pleasing. Whether you go the traditional cinnamon sugar route or get creative with glazes and fillings, these donuts are a fun and foolproof way to bring joy to your table.
Perfect for lazy mornings, holiday breakfasts, or weekend baking with kids, they’ll be a favorite you return to again and again. Go ahead and treat yourself—you’ve earned it.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (Per Donut):
Calories: 210 | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 24g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 260mg

Bisquick Donuts
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Description
Warm, fluffy, and covered in sweet cinnamon sugar, these Bisquick Donuts are the ultimate shortcut to homemade donuts without the hassle of yeast or waiting for dough to rise. Using pantry staples and a simple method, you can enjoy a fresh batch of golden, cake-style donuts in less than 30 minutes—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat.
Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.
Ingredients
For the Donut Dough:
-
2 cups Bisquick baking mix
-
¼ cup granulated sugar
-
1 large egg
-
¼ cup milk (plus 1–2 tbsp more as needed)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 tbsp melted butter (optional for added richness)
For Frying:
-
Vegetable oil (for deep frying, about 2–3 cups)
For Coating:
-
½ cup granulated sugar
-
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings:
-
Powdered sugar
-
Chocolate glaze
-
Maple glaze
-
Honey drizzle
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, stir together the Bisquick, sugar, egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Mix until a soft dough forms. If it’s too sticky, add a little more Bisquick. If it’s too dry, add a splash more milk.
Step 2: Roll & Cut
Lightly flour a surface with Bisquick. Roll the dough out to about ½-inch thickness.
Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to shape the donuts.
Re-roll the scraps to use all the dough. Don’t forget the donut holes—they’re delicious too!
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or skillet to a depth of 2 inches.
Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the correct temperature.
Step 4: Fry the Donuts
Carefully lower a few donuts into the hot oil at a time.
Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain on a paper towel-lined cooling rack.
Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the donuts are still warm, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl.
Toss each donut in the mixture until coated on all sides.
For variety, dust some in powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve warm for the best flavor and texture. Pair with coffee, milk, or your favorite hot beverage.
Notes
Maintain Oil Temperature – Use a thermometer to keep oil between 350–360°F.
Don’t Overwork the Dough – Mix until just combined to avoid tough donuts.
Use Parchment – If cutting ahead of time, place donuts on parchment so they’re easy to transfer to oil.
Double the Batch – These go fast! You can easily double the recipe.
Try Different Flavors – Add lemon zest, almond extract, or nutmeg to change things up.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: American