Greek Yogurt Donuts
These Greek yogurt donuts are simple and easy to make and get ready in less than 20 minutes. They are made with Greek yogurt and a few pantry staples. Then, they are dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam.
December is the Hanukkah season for donuts, and we make plenty of them. But during the rest of the year, when my kids crave donuts. So, I make them these quick and easy instant donuts. Sometimes, I make the traditional Greek version dipped in honey. But these, dusted with powdered sugar and served with strawberry jam, are my kids’ absolute favorite.
Why make this recipe?
- Honestly, because they are so simple and easy to make.
- Quick recipe – There is no yeast, which means you do not need to let the dough rise, shape, or proof, which can be lengthy.
- Most ingredients are pantry staples; Greek yogurt is also a staple in our home. Therefore, you can make them any time.
- They are deep-fried like the classic donuts. So, of course, they are as indulgent as any other deep-fried donut.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Greek yogurt – We use the Greek variety because it is thicker and has less whey compared to regular yogurt. If you use regular yogurt, you may need a little more flour for consistency. See my video for the right consistency.
- Sugar – These are, of course, sweet, but you can reduce the sugar by almost half if you want.
- Egg – I like using an egg because it adds a wonderfully rich texture to the dough. But you can also omit the egg and use additional yogurt.
- Vanilla – You can use vanilla extract, bean paste, or substitute some of the sugar for vanilla sugar.
Step-by-step: How to make Greek yogurt donuts
- Oil – In a saucepan or pot, heat the oil for deep-frying over medium-low heat until it reaches 325°F.
Pro tip – I like to use my cast-iron pot as it retains heat well, and I prefer to use my thermometer to ensure the oil is at the right temperature.
- Dry ingredients – Combine the flour with baking powder and salt. And set aside.
- Dough – In a bowl, combine the egg, yogurt, vanilla extract, sugar, and flour. Use a whisk to ensure no lumps.
Pro tip – Make sure the oil is heating while you prepare the donut batter, so you don’t have to wait for the oil to come to a temperature. - Balls – Using two spoons or a cookie scoop, drop little balls of batter into the hot oil. If you’re not using a thermometer, dip a spoon in the oil; if bubbles form around the spoon, the oil is ready.
Pro tip – Dipping the cookie scoop initially in oil will prevent the batter from sticking to the scoop.
- Fry – Deep fry until golden. Use a perforated spoon to take them out on a paper hand towel to absorb the excess oil.
Pro tip – Depending on the size of the pot with oil, cook in small batches. Adding too much at once will lower the oil temperature and make the donuts soggy. - Dust – Cool for a few minutes. Then, dust with powdered sugar and serve along with your favorite jam.
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Frequently asked questions
How long will these donuts keep?
Donuts are best eaten on the day they are made. In fact, it is best to deep fry them just before serving. Leftovers can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Can I use honey for these Geek donuts?
Absolutely, you can reduce the sugar in the batter and then drizzle the donuts with honey instead of powdered sugar.
Can I fill these donuts with jam?
Yes, you can fill these with jam or chocolate ganache by using a piping bag and a bismarck piping tip. Poke a hole with a skewer, then insert the piping tip inside and squeeze the bag to fill.
Greek Yogurt Donuts
These Greek yogurt donuts are simple easy and ready in less than 20 minutes. Made with Greek yogurt and a few pantry staples these are dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam.
Video
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups (250 g) Flour
- 1½ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) Greek yogurt
- 1 large Egg
- ¼ cup (50 g) Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
Deep frying
- 1 ltr (4 cups) Cooking oil for deep frying
Plus
- 2 tbsp Powdered sugar for dusting
- ½ cup Jam to fill
Method
- Oil – In a saucepan or pot, heat the oil for deep frying over medium-low heat until it reaches 325F.1 ltr Cooking oil
- Dry ingredients – combine the flour with baking powder and salt. Set aside2 cups Flour, 1½ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Cinnamon powder, ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- Dough – In a bowl combine the egg, yogurt, vanilla extract, sugar, and flour. Use a whisk to ensure no lumps.1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 large Egg, ¼ cup Sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Balls – Using two spoons or a cookie scoop drop little balls of batter into the hot oil. If you're not using a thermometer, dip a spoon in the oil; if bubbles form around the spoon, the oil is ready.
- Fry – Deep fry until golden. Use a perforated spoon to take them out on a paper hand towel to absorb the excess oil.
- Dust – Cool for a few minutes then dust with powdered sugar and serve along with your favorite jam2 tbsp Powdered sugar, ½ cup Jam
Notes
- Look for the right consistency of the dough.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt that is thick and creamy to achieve the right consistency.
- We do not want to activate the gluten in the dough so do not overmix the dough.
- Use a small cookie dough scooper and hold the scooper close to the oil before releasing otherwise it will create a splash.
- As the balls drop in the oil they will puff up and start to become more round in shape so don’t crowd the pan.
- Deep fry until the balls are a light golden brown. So, keep the oil temperature to no more than 350F
- Wait until the donuts are cooled before you fill or dust them with powdered sugar, otherwise, the powdered sugar will melt away.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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great recipe! easy to follow. I did swap some granulated sugar for maple syrup. Make sure your oil isn’t too hot. I used avocado and olive oil. I also coated them in cinnamon sugar and they are delicious.
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, Dlylian. SO glad you enjoyed it.
Delicious!! My boys and I devoured them immediately! Thank you for the recipe!! We will be making them again!
I failed. They didn’t cook inside and browned quickly. Not sure if oil was too hot, I don’t own a thermometer…
Assilya, sounds like you are right. The oil was too hot so it browned too quickly and perhaps needed a few more minutes to cook inside. You don’t really need a thermometer but you can guage it simply by looking at how fat it cooks and how dark it becomes. Adjust temperature as you are working.
I just made these donuts with my kids and they are AMAZING!! Beautifully crunchy on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside. It was so easy to make and I had all of the ingredients in my pantry. My batter turned out a little thick, but I just added a tiny splash of milk to help it come together. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Julee. Happy you enjoyed this recipe
These donuts seem so simple and easy to make and I love the way greek yogurt is used.
Really taste with simple ingredients, batter was a bit thick but I used it the way it was and it was delicious.
Thank you, Sy
These greek yogurt donuts are lovely! So easy and flavorful. I love this recipe, fantastic – thank you so much!
You are very welcome, Jenny. Happy you enjoyed these donuts.
These donuts were a hit this morning! I got up a bit earlier because I wanted to surprise the family and that they were. They said they were the best donuts they’d ever tasted! Guess I’ll have to keep this recipe handy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, Marisa. I am so happy you enjoyed these donuts
These are perfect and absolutely delicious! I filled them up with jam. They made the perfect breakfast!
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Annie. Happy you enjoyed this.
These Greek Yogurt Donuts are so light, fluffy, and delicious! They are so simple to make and my family really enjoyed them!
Thank you, Lakita. So happy to get your feedback.
It must be fate that I came across this recipe. I just cleaned my deep fat fryer and filled it with fresh oil today and I have a large container of Greek yogurt I need to use before it soon expires. These donuts look fabulous and I’m sure my kids. will approve. Will be making tomorrow.